And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.

NUMBERS 16:42KJV
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Numbers 16:42 (KJV)

What does Numbers 16:42 mean?

Numbers 16:42 describes a moment when the whole community of Israelites gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron, and as they looked toward the tent of meeting, a cloud covered it and the visible presence of the LORD appeared. This signals a dramatic intervention by God in response to the people's actions.

The setting is during a rebellion against Moses and Aaron’s leadership. The people are upset and confront them, gathering at the tabernacle (the central place of worship). The cloud and the glory of the LORD appearing shows that God is about to respond directly to the crisis, marking the seriousness of the situation and the importance of the tabernacle as the meeting point between God and Israel.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 16:42

  • "Congregation" (עֵדָה, edah) refers to the assembled community of Israelites, emphasizing that this was a collective action, not just a few individuals.
  • "Tabernacle" (אֹהֶל, ohel) means "tent," specifically the tent of meeting where God’s presence was understood to dwell among the people.
  • "Cloud" (עָנָן, anan) often represents God’s presence and guidance in the wilderness; its covering of the tabernacle signals a divine response.
  • "Glory" (כָּבוֹד, kavod) means weight or honor, and here refers to the visible, awe-inspiring manifestation of God’s presence.

Why Numbers 16:42 matters

  • Numbers 16:42 clarifies that the entire community, not just a small group, was challenging Moses and Aaron, showing the scale of the rebellion.
  • The verse highlights the tabernacle as the focal point for encountering God, underlining its central role in Israel’s relationship with the LORD.
  • The sudden appearance of the cloud and God’s glory signals that God is not distant or passive, but actively involved and ready to address the crisis among His people.

Where else these words appear

“gathered” Hebrew H6950 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
  • Deuteronomy 4:10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.

“cloud” Hebrew H6051 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
  • Numbers 9:17 And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.
  • Job 37:11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:

“looked” Hebrew H6437 · used in 128 verses

  • Genesis 18:22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
  • Judges 18:21 So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them.
  • Psalms 119:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.