Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?

NUMBERS 16:9KJV
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Numbers 16:9 (KJV)

What does Numbers 16:9 mean?

In Numbers 16:9, Moses challenges a group of Levites for treating their assigned work as too little. God had given them a place near the tabernacle, Israel’s sacred tent, where they served both God and the assembled people.

Moses frames his challenge as a question: “Seemeth it but a small thing unto you?” He addresses Korah and the Levites with him during a dispute over who may approach God, as the surrounding passage shows.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 16:9

  • “separated” — בָּדַל (badal): This word can mean to set apart or distinguish. Here, the Levites are set apart from the larger community for a particular task.
  • “near” — קָרַב (qarav): This word carries the sense of coming or bringing close. In this verse, closeness is connected with the Levites’ assigned service at the sacred tent.
  • “minister” — שָׁרַת (sharat): This word means to serve or attend to someone. The verse describes the Levites’ work as service for the people, not merely as a position of distinction.

Why Numbers 16:9 matters

  • Moses’s question challenges the value the Levites place on their existing work. His words “a small thing” expose the contrast between their complaint and the responsibility already given to them.
  • Service near the tabernacle and service to the people belong together in the verse. The Levites are brought near to do the tabernacle’s work and to “stand before the congregation” on its behalf.
  • The dispute concerns a further role, not simply whether the Levites may serve. In verse 10, Moses asks whether they seek the priesthood also.

Where else these words appear

“separated” Hebrew H914 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Numbers 8:14 Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.
  • Ezra 8:24 Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,

“thing” Hebrew H4592 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • 1 Samuel 14:43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
  • Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

“minister” Hebrew H8334 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
  • 2 Samuel 13:17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
  • Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

“service” Hebrew H5656 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:26 And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.