And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

NUMBERS 16:5KJV
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Numbers 16:5 (KJV)

What does Numbers 16:5 mean?

Numbers 16:5 means that Moses tells Korah and his followers that the LORD will make it clear the next day who truly belongs to Him and who is set apart as holy, and that God Himself will bring near the person He has chosen. The verse shows that the decision about who is holy and acceptable to serve God is not up to people, but up to God alone.

In this verse, Moses is speaking directly to Korah and his group, who are challenging his and Aaron’s leadership among the Israelites. Moses announces that God will settle the dispute by showing, in a visible way, whom He has chosen to come near and serve Him. This sets the stage for what follows in the chapter, where God’s choice becomes unmistakably clear.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 16:5

  • "holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh): This word means "set apart" or "specially dedicated." Moses is saying that only those God Himself sets apart are truly holy, not just anyone who claims to be.
  • "chosen" (בָּחַר, bachar): This verb means "to choose" or "to select." Moses emphasizes that it is God’s selection, not human ambition or argument, that determines who may approach Him.
  • "near" (קָרַב, qarav): Used twice in this verse, this word carries the sense of drawing close, especially in a special or privileged way. Here, it refers to being allowed to serve in God’s presence, a role God alone grants.

Why Numbers 16:5 matters

  • Numbers 16:5 clarifies that spiritual authority and the right to serve God are determined by God’s own choice, not by human claims or popularity.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of challenging God’s appointed leaders, showing that such disputes are ultimately settled by God Himself.
  • This verse connects to the larger story of Korah’s rebellion, helping the reader understand why the coming events are not just about leadership, but about respecting God’s decisions and holiness.

Where else these words appear

“Korah” Hebrew H7141 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 36:5 And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan.
  • Numbers 16:27 So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:19 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry.

“holy” Hebrew H6918 · used in 106 verses

  • Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
  • Isaiah 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

“company” 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.