Chapter Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
N U M B E R S
CHAP. XVI.
The date of the history contained in this chapter is altogether uncertain. Probably these mutinies happened after their removal back again from Kadesh-barnea, when they were fixed (if I may so speak) for their wandering in the wilderness, and began to look upon that as their settlement. Presently after new laws given follows the story of a new rebellion, as if sin took occasion from the commandment to become more exceedingly sinful. Here is, I. A daring and dangerous rebellion raised against Moses and Aaron, by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, Numbers 16:1 - 15 . 1. Korah and his accomplices contend for the priesthood against Aaron, Numbers 16:3 . Moses reasons with them, and appeals to God for a decision of the controversy, Numbers 16:4 - 11 . 2. Dathan and Abiram quarrel with Moses, and refuse to obey his summons, which greatly grieves him, Numbers 16:12 - 15 . II. A solemn appearance of the pretenders to the priesthood before God, according to order, and a public appearance of the glory of the Lord, which would have consumed the whole congregation if Moses and Aaron had not interceded, Numbers 16:16 - 22 . III. The deciding of the controversy, and the crushing of the rebellion, by the cutting off of the rebels. 1. Those in their tents were buried alive, Numbers 16:23 - 34 . 2. Those at the door of the tabernacle were consumed by fire Numbers 16:35 ), and their censers preserved for a memorial, Numbers 16:37 - 40 . IV. A new insurrection of the people, Numbers 16:41 - 43 . 1. God stayed in the insurrection by a plague, Numbers 16:45 . 2. Aaron stayed the plague by offering incense, Numbers 16:46 - 50 . The manner and method of recording this story plainly show the ferment to have been very great.
Book Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE FOURTH BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED
N U M B E R S.
T HE titles of the five books of Moses, which we use in our Bibles, are all borrowed from the Greek translation of the Seventy, the most ancient version of the Old Testament that we know of. But the title of this book only we turn into English; in all the rest we retain the Greek word itself, for which difference I know no reason but that the Latin translators have generally done the same. Otherwise this book might as well have been called Arithmoi, the Greek title, as the first Genesis, and the second Exodus; or these might as well have been translated, and called, the first the Generation, or Original, the second the Out-let, or Escape, as this Numbers. --This book was thus entitled because of the numbers of the children of Israel, so often mentioned in this book, and so well worthy to give a title to it, because it was the remarkable accomplishment of God's promise to Abraham that his seed should be as the stars of heaven for multitude. It also relates to two numberings of them, one at mount Sinai Numbers 1:1 - 54Numbers 1:1 - 54 ), the other in the plains of Moab, thirty-nine years after, Numbers 26:1 - 65Numbers 26:1 - 65 . And not three men the same in the last account that were in the first. The book is almost equally divided between histories and laws, intermixed.
We have here, I. The histories of the numbering and marshalling of the tribes Numbers 1:1 - 4Numbers 1:1 - 4 ), the dedication of the altar and Levites Numbers 7:1 - 8Numbers 7:1 - 8 ), their march Numbers 9:1 - 10Numbers 9:1 - 10 ), their murmuring and unbelief, for which they were sentenced to wander forty years in the wilderness Numbers 11:1 - 14Numbers 11:1 - 14 ), the rebellion of Korah Numbers 16:1 - 17Numbers 16:1 - 17 ), the history of the last year of the forty Numbers 20:1 - 26Numbers 20:1 - 26 ), the conquest of Midian, and the settlement of the two tribes Numbers 31:1 - 32Numbers 31:1 - 32 ), with an account of their journeys, Numbers 33:1 - 56Numbers 33:1 - 56 . II. Divers laws about the Nazarites, c. Numbers 5:1 - 6Numbers 5:1 - 6 ); and again about the priests' charge, c. Numbers 18:1 - 19Numbers 18:1 - 19 ), feasts Numbers 28:1 - 29Numbers 28:1 - 29 ), and vows Numbers 30:1 - 16Numbers 30:1 - 16 ), and relating to their settlement in Canaan, Numbers 27:1 - 23 ; Numbers 34:1 - 36 . An abstract of much of this book we have in a few words in Psalms 95:10 , Forty years long was I grieved with this generation; and an application of it to ourselves in Hebrews 4:1 , Let us fear lest we seem to come short. Many considerable nations there were now in being, that dwelt in cities and fortified towns, of which no notice is taken, no account kept, by the sacred history: but very exact records are kept of the affairs of a handful of people, that dwelt in tents, and wandered strangely in a wilderness, because they were the children of the covenant. For the Lord's portion is his people, Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.
