Numbers 16:49
But those who died from the plague numbered 14,700, in addition to those who had died on account of Korah.
But those who died from the plague numbered 14,700
This phrase refers to the divine judgment that followed the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron. The plague was a direct consequence of the people's grumbling and rebellion against God's appointed leaders. The number 14,700 signifies the severity of the judgment and serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God. In biblical numerology, the number 7 often represents completeness or perfection, which may imply the completeness of God's judgment in this instance. This event underscores the holiness of God and His intolerance for rebellion, echoing the broader biblical theme that sin leads to death (Romans 6:23).

in addition to those who had died on account of Korah
This phrase highlights that the 14,700 who died from the plague were separate from those who perished directly due to Korah's rebellion. Earlier in Numbers 16, the earth opened up and swallowed Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their households, while fire consumed 250 men offering incense. This distinction emphasizes the widespread impact of the rebellion and the seriousness with which God dealt with it. The rebellion of Korah is a significant event in Israel's history, illustrating the dangers of challenging God's established order. It serves as a warning against pride and self-exaltation, themes that are echoed in the New Testament, such as in Jude 1:11, which warns against following the way of Cain, Balaam, and Korah.

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

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

3. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel, appointed by God.

4. The Plague
A divine punishment sent by God as a result of the rebellion, which resulted in the death of 14,700 Israelites.

5. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were journeying through the wilderness to the Promised Land.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Rebellion
Rebellion against God's appointed leaders and His commands leads to severe consequences. We must respect and submit to God's authority.

The Seriousness of Sin
Sin is not a trivial matter. The plague that struck the Israelites serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and its impact on the community.

God's Justice and Mercy
While God is just and punishes sin, He also provides opportunities for repentance and restoration. We must seek His mercy and forgiveness.

The Importance of Intercession
Moses and Aaron's intercession for the people highlights the power and necessity of prayer and standing in the gap for others.

Learning from the Past
The events in Numbers 16 serve as a warning and lesson for us today. We should learn from the past to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from the rebellion of Korah about the dangers of challenging God's appointed leadership?

2. How does the response of Moses and Aaron to the plague demonstrate the importance of intercessory prayer?

3. In what ways can we apply the lessons from the Israelites' rebellion to our own lives and communities today?

4. How do the events in Numbers 16 connect with the warnings given in 1 Corinthians 10 about the consequences of disobedience?

5. What steps can we take to ensure that we remain obedient and faithful to God's commands in our daily lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 32
The incident of the golden calf, where the Israelites rebelled against God, leading to a plague as punishment.

Leviticus 10
The death of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons, for offering unauthorized fire, highlighting the seriousness of approaching God improperly.

1 Corinthians 10
Paul references the events in the wilderness as warnings for believers, emphasizing the consequences of rebellion and disobedience.

Hebrews 3
Discusses the rebellion in the wilderness and encourages believers to remain faithful and obedient to God.
Korah's RebellionW. Binnie Numbers 16:19-22, 41-50
Aaron Staying the PlagueJ. D. Lane, M. A.Numbers 16:41-50
An Awful Spectacle, and a Surprising RemedyS. Thodey.Numbers 16:41-50
Mercy Rejoiceth Against JudgmentE. Auriol, M. A.Numbers 16:41-50
Standing Between the Dead and the LivingJ. Slade, M. A.Numbers 16:41-50
Staying the PlagueW. C. Le Breton, M. A.Numbers 16:41-50
The Aggravated Rebellion of the PeopleW. Jones.Numbers 16:41-50
The High Priest Standing Between the Dead and the LivingNumbers 16:41-50
The Living and the DeadT. De Witt Talmage.Numbers 16:41-50
The Plague in the WildernessC. Bradley, M. A.Numbers 16:41-50
The Plague StayedJ. Burns, D. D.Numbers 16:41-50
The Prevailing IntercessorBp. Horne.Numbers 16:41-50
The Priesthood Still Further Honoured and EstablishedD. Young Numbers 16:41-50
The Sin of Man and the Salvation of GodS. Thodey.Numbers 16:41-50
Transgression and IntercessionHenry, MatthewNumbers 16:41-50
People
Aaron, Abiram, Dathan, Eleazar, Eliab, Israelites, Izhar, Kohath, Korah, Levi, Levites, Moses, Pallu, Peleth, Reuben, Reubenites
Places
Wilderness of Paran
Topics
14, 700, Affair, Apart, Beside, Besides, Caused, Deaths, Die, Died, Disease, Fourteen, Hundred, Korah, Matter, Plague, Seven, Thousand
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 16:1-50

     5550   speech, negative

Numbers 16:41-49

     5297   disease

Numbers 16:41-50

     4843   plague

Library
September 3. "The God of Israel Hath Separated You" (Num. xvi. 9).
"The God of Israel hath separated you" (Num. xvi. 9). The little plant may grow out of a manure heap, and be surrounded by filth, and covered very often with the floating dust that is borne upon the breeze, but its white roots are separated from the unclean soil, and its leaves and flowers have no affinity with the dust that settles upon them; and after a shower of summer rain they throw off every particle of defilement, and look up, as fresh and spotless as before, for their intrinsic nature cannot
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Death Swallowed up in victory
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory! D eath, simply considered, is no more than the cessation of life --that which was once living, lives no longer. But it has been the general, perhaps the universal custom of mankind, to personify it. Imagination gives death a formidable appearance, arms it with a dart, sting or scythe, and represents it as an active, inexorable and invincible reality. In this view death is a great devourer; with his iron tongue
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned Involuntarily?
Objection 1: It seems that vengeance should be taken on those who have sinned involuntarily. For the will of one man does not follow from the will of another. Yet one man is punished for another, according to Ex. 20:5, "I am . . . God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation." Thus for the sin of Cham, his son Chanaan was curse (Gn. 9:25) and for the sin of Giezi, his descendants were struck with leprosy (4 Kings 5). Again the blood
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Conflict.
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
Presented to the World in a Familiar Dialogue Between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. By John Bunyan ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The life of Badman is a very interesting description, a true and lively portraiture, of the demoralized classes of the trading community in the reign of King Charles II; a subject which naturally led the author to use expressions familiar among such persons, but which are now either obsolete or considered as vulgar. In fact it is the only work proceeding from the prolific
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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