Numbers 16:49 (KJV)

What does Numbers 16:49 mean?

Numbers 16:49 reports that 14,700 people died in a plague, in addition to those who had already died because of Korah’s rebellion. This verse gives a specific count of the people who perished as a direct result of the events surrounding Korah’s challenge to Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership.

The verse is part of a narrative where God punishes the Israelites after Korah and his followers rebel against Moses and Aaron. After Korah and his group are destroyed, a plague breaks out among the people who continued to grumble, and the verse records the total number who died from this plague, making it clear that these deaths are separate from those who died directly with Korah.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 16:49

• "Died" (מֵתוּ, mētu, H4191) is used twice in this verse, emphasizing the finality and seriousness of the judgment that took place.
• "Plague" (מַגֵּפָה, maggefah, H4046) refers to a sudden, divinely-sent disease or disaster, highlighting that this was not a natural occurrence but a direct act of judgment.
• The numbers "fourteen" (אַרְבָּעָה, arba‘āh, H702; עֶשֶׂר, ‘eser, H6240), "thousand" (אֶלֶף, ’elef, H505), "seven" (שֶׁבַע, sheva‘, H7651), and "hundred" (מֵאָה, me’ah, H3967) are all spelled out, showing the precision and gravity of the record.
• "Matter" (דָּבָר, davar, H1697) in "the matter of Korah" points to the entire incident or affair involving Korah, not just a single event.

Why Numbers 16:49 matters

• Numbers 16:49 clarifies that the consequences of Korah’s rebellion extended beyond the immediate participants to the wider community, showing the seriousness of collective disobedience.
• The verse’s specific numbers emphasize the scale of the disaster and the importance of accurate historical record-keeping in the biblical narrative.
• By separating those who died in the plague from those who died "about the matter of Korah," the verse highlights that there were multiple phases of judgment, each with its own cause and outcome.