Numbers 16:9
New International Version
Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelite community and brought you near himself to do the work at the LORD’s tabernacle and to stand before the community and minister to them?

New Living Translation
Does it seem insignificant to you that the God of Israel has chosen you from among all the community of Israel to be near him so you can serve in the LORD’s Tabernacle and stand before the people to minister to them?

English Standard Version
is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the LORD and to stand before the congregation to minister to them,

Berean Standard Bible
Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel and brought you near to Himself to perform the work at the LORD’s tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to serve them;

New American Standard Bible
Is it too small an honor for you that the God of Israel has singled you out from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to perform the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;

NASB 1995
is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of 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 to them;

NASB 1977
is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of 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 to them;

Legacy Standard Bible
is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to perform the service of the tabernacle of Yahweh, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;

Amplified Bible
does it seem but a small thing to you that the God of Israel has 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 to them;

Christian Standard Bible
Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the Israelite community to bring you near to himself, to perform the work at the LORD’s tabernacle, and to stand before the community to minister to them?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the Israelite community to bring you near to Himself, to perform the work at the LORD’s tabernacle, and to stand before the community to minister to them?

American Standard Version
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 Jehovah, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them;

English Revised Version
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;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Isn't it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the community of Israel? The LORD has brought you near himself to do the work for his tent and stand in front of the community to serve them.

Good News Translation
Do you consider it a small matter that the God of Israel has set you apart from the rest of the community, so that you can approach him, perform your service in the LORD's Tent, and minister to the community and serve them?

International Standard Version
Is it such an insignificant thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the Israelis to draw you to himself, appointing you to do the work of the tent of the LORD and to stand before the community to minister to them?

Majority Standard Bible
Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel and brought you near to Himself to perform the work at the LORD?s tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?

NET Bible
Does it seem too small a thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the community of Israel to bring you near to himself, to perform the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the community to minister to them?

New Heart English Bible
Is it a small thing to you, that the God of Israel has 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 to them;

Webster's Bible Translation
Seemeth it but a small thing to 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 to them?

World English Bible
Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of Yahweh’s tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
is it little to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the Dwelling Place of YHWH, and to stand before the congregation to serve them?

Young's Literal Translation
is it little to you that the God of Israel hath separated you from the company of Israel to bring you near unto Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the company to serve them? --

Smith's Literal Translation
Is this small for you that the God of Israel separated you from the assembly of Israel to bring you near to him to serve the services of the dwelling of Jehovah, and to stand before the assembly to serve them?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Is it a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath spared you from all the people, and joined you to himself, that you should serve him in the service of the tabernacle, and should stand before the congregation of the people, and should minister to him?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Is it a small thing to you, that the God of Israel has separated you from all the people, and has joined you to himself, so that you would serve him in the rituals of the tabernacle, and stand before gatherings of the people, and minister to him?

New American Bible
Are you not satisfied that the God of Israel has singled you out from the community of Israel, to have you draw near him to maintain the LORD’s tabernacle, and to attend upon the community and to serve them?

New Revised Standard Version
Is it too little for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to allow you to approach him in order to perform the duties of the LORD’s tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation and serve them?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the whole congregation of Israel and brought you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Is it not enough to you that the God of Israel has separated you from all of the assembly of Israel and has brought you to him to work the service of the Tabernacle of LORD JEHOVAH and before the assembly to serve them?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
is 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;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Is it a little thing for you, that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, and brought you near to himself to minister in the services of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the tabernacle to minister for them?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Korah's Rebellion
8Moses also said to Korah, “Now listen, you sons of Levi! 9Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel and brought you near to Himself to perform the work at the LORD’s tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them? 10He has brought you near, you and all your fellow Levites, but you are seeking the priesthood as well.…

Cross References
Exodus 28:1
“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.

Leviticus 8:6-13
Then Moses presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. / He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He tied the woven band of the ephod around him and fastened it to him. / Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. ...

1 Samuel 2:28
And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 10:8
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.

1 Chronicles 23:13
The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.

Hebrews 5:4
No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Exodus 19:6
And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

2 Chronicles 29:11
Now, my sons, do not be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, to minister before Him, and to burn incense.”

Malachi 2:4-7
Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. / True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. ...

Hebrews 9:6-7
When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

Revelation 1:6
who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

Isaiah 61:6
But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches.

Ezekiel 44:15-16
But the Levitical priests, who are descended from Zadok and who kept charge of My sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from Me, are to approach Me to minister before Me. They will stand before Me to offer Me fat and blood, declares the Lord GOD. / They alone shall enter My sanctuary and draw near to My table to minister before Me. They will keep My charge.

Acts 6:4
and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”


Treasury of Scripture

Seems it but a small thing to you, that the God of Israel has 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 to them?

seemeth it but

Numbers 16:13
Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?

Genesis 30:15
And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes.

1 Samuel 18:23
And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?

separated

Numbers 1:53
But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.

Numbers 3:41-45
And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel…

Numbers 8:14-16
Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine…

Jump to Previous
Community Congregation Enough Israel Israelite Minister Rest Seem Seemeth Separate Separated Service Small Stand Tabernacle Work
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Community Congregation Enough Israel Israelite Minister Rest Seem Seemeth Separate Separated Service Small Stand Tabernacle Work
Numbers 16
1. The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram
23. Moses separates the people from the rebels' tents
31. The earth swallows up Korah, and a fire consumes others
36. The censers are reserved to holy use
41. 14,700 are slain by a plague, for murmuring against Moses and Aaron
46. Aaron by incense stays the plague














Is it not enough for you
This phrase addresses the dissatisfaction and rebellion of Korah and his followers. It highlights the human tendency to desire more than what God has provided, reflecting a lack of contentment and gratitude. This echoes the broader biblical theme of contentment found in passages like Philippians 4:11-13, where Paul speaks of being content in all circumstances.

that the God of Israel
This emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The title "God of Israel" underscores His role as the divine protector and leader of the nation, a theme that runs throughout the Old Testament. It also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the special status of Israel as His chosen people, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:6.

has separated you from the congregation of Israel
The concept of separation here refers to the Levites being set apart for special service to God. This separation is a form of sanctification, a theme that is prevalent throughout Scripture. The Levites were chosen to serve in the tabernacle, highlighting the importance of holiness and dedication to God's service, as seen in Leviticus 20:26.

and brought you near to Himself
This phrase indicates a privileged position of closeness to God, which was a significant honor. The Levites had the unique role of serving in the tabernacle, symbolizing a closer relationship with God. This foreshadows the New Testament concept of believers being brought near to God through Christ, as seen in Ephesians 2:13.

to perform the work at the LORD’s tabernacle
The work at the tabernacle involved various duties, including maintenance, sacrifices, and rituals, which were essential for the spiritual life of Israel. This service was a precursor to the priestly work of Christ, who serves as our High Priest, as described in Hebrews 4:14-16. The tabernacle itself is a type of Christ, representing God's dwelling among His people.

and to stand before the congregation to minister to them
This highlights the role of the Levites as intermediaries between God and the people, a role that required both service and leadership. The Levites' ministry is a type of Christ's ministry, who stands as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity, as seen in 1 Timothy 2:5. The Levites' service also points to the New Testament teaching that all believers are called to minister to one another, as seen in 1 Peter 4:10.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Korah
A Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, questioning their leadership and the special role of the priesthood.

2. Moses
The leader of Israel, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

3. Aaron
Moses' brother and the first high priest, appointed by God to serve in the tabernacle.

4. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence of God among the Israelites, where the Levites served.

5. The Congregation of Israel
The assembly of the Israelites, whom God had chosen as His people.
Teaching Points
Divine Appointment and Contentment
God assigns roles and responsibilities according to His divine wisdom. We should find contentment and purpose in the roles He has given us, rather than coveting others' positions.

The Danger of Rebellion
Korah's rebellion serves as a warning against challenging God's established order. Rebellion against God-appointed leadership is ultimately rebellion against God Himself.

The Privilege of Service
Serving in any capacity within God's kingdom is a privilege. The Levites were set apart for a special purpose, and we too are called to serve in various ways within the body of Christ.

Respect for God's Order
Just as the Israelites were to respect the roles of Moses and Aaron, we are to respect the leadership and structure God has established in the church today.

Drawing Near to God
The Levites were brought near to God to serve. In Christ, we are all invited to draw near to God, serving Him with reverence and awe.Verse 9. - Seemeth it a small thing to you. Rather, "is it too little for you." חַמְעַט מִכֶּם.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Is it not enough
הַמְעַ֣ט (ham·‘aṭ)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few

for
מִכֶּ֗ם (mik·kem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

you that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֨י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

has separated you
הִבְדִּיל֩ (hiḇ·dîl)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 914: To be divided, separate

from the congregation
מֵעֲדַ֣ת (mê·‘ă·ḏaṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

and brought you near
לְהַקְרִ֥יב (lə·haq·rîḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

to Himself
אֵלָ֑יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

to perform
לַעֲבֹ֗ד (la·‘ă·ḇōḏ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

the work
עֲבֹדַת֙ (‘ă·ḇō·ḏaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5656: Work of any kind

at the LORD’s
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

tabernacle
מִשְׁכַּ֣ן (miš·kan)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle

and to stand
וְלַעֲמֹ֛ד (wə·la·‘ă·mōḏ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

before
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the congregation
הָעֵדָ֖ה (hā·‘ê·ḏāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage

to minister to them?
לְשָׁרְתָֽם׃ (lə·šā·rə·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8334: To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to


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OT Law: Numbers 16:9 Seems it but a small thing (Nu Num.)
Numbers 16:8
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