Psalms 106:16 (KJV)

What does Psalms 106:16 mean?

Psalms 106:16 describes a moment when people in the Israelite camp became jealous of Moses and Aaron, who are shown as chosen and set apart by God. The verse points out that even leaders like Moses and Aaron faced envy from those they led.

This verse is part of a psalm where the writer looks back on Israel’s history, remembering times when the people rebelled against God’s appointed leaders. The “camp” refers to the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness, and “Aaron the saint of the LORD” highlights Aaron’s special role as someone dedicated to God. The verse sets the stage for recalling the incident with Korah’s rebellion, where jealousy led to serious consequences.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 106:16

• “envied” (קָנָא, qanā’): This word means to be jealous or zealous, often with a sense of strong emotion or rivalry. Here, it shows that the people’s feelings toward Moses and Aaron were not just casual dislike, but deep-seated envy.
• “saint” (קָדוֹשׁ, qādôsh): This word means “holy” or “set apart.” Calling Aaron “the saint of the LORD” stresses that he was chosen by God for a special, sacred purpose, not just an ordinary leader.

Why Psalms 106:16 matters

• Psalms 106:16 helps clarify that even those called by God, like Moses and Aaron, were not immune to criticism or jealousy from their own community.
• The verse highlights the seriousness of envy, especially when it is directed toward those serving in God-given roles, setting up the warning found in the following verses about the consequences of such attitudes.
• This verse connects to the larger theme of Psalm 106, which is an honest reflection on Israel’s repeated failures and God’s continued faithfulness, reminding readers of the importance of humility and respect for God’s choices.