Numbers 16 - Introduction

The rebellion of Dathan and Abiram. The self-assertion of Korah and his followers, and the status and rights of the Levites

In chs. Numbers 1:47-54; Numbers 1:3-4; Numbers 1:8 the separation of the Levites for divine service, and their duties, have been described. But their privileged position is now emphasized by two narratives the self-assertion of Korah (ch. 16) and the blossoming of Aaron's staff as representative of the tribe of Levi (ch. 17). And the rank and dues of priests and Levites respectively are detailed (ch. 18).

But ch. 16 contains a fusion of more than one narrative. Notice that while Dathan and Abiram with their followers were swallowed up in the earth (Numbers 16:31), Korah's 250 princes were burnt with fire (Numbers 16:35). Again, after addressing Korah and his company (Numbers 16:5) Moses has still to send for Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16:12). And lastly in Numbers 27:3 Korah alone is referred to, and in Deuteronomy 11:6; Psalms 106:17 Dathan and Abiram alone are mentioned as being swallowed up.

Thus the story of Dathan and Abiram was originally quite distinct from that of Korah; and, as characteristics of language and expression shew, the former is from J E and the latter from P. In combining them, the compiler has joined Korah's name with those of Dathan and Abiram in Numbers 16:1; Numbers 16:24; Numbers 16:27a, and has added Numbers 16:32 b, but has done nothing else to fuse the two narratives. Ch. 16 should therefore be read as follows:

J E Numbers 16:1 (partly), Numbers 16:2 a, Numbers 16:12-15; Numbers 16:25-34.

P Numbers 16:1 (partly), Numbers 16:2 b Numbers 16:11; Numbers 16:16-24; Numbers 16:35-50.

It will then be seen that the action of Dathan and Abiram was one of rebellion against Moses" authority as leader and sheikh of the community. They refused to come when he sent for them (Numbers 16:12), and complained that he had made himself a prince over them (Numbers 16:13). Korah's action, on the other hand, was an ecclesiastical offence; he maintained that the tribe of the Levites was not more sacred than all the other tribes of Israel; and of this ch. 17 is the sequel.

But a further difficulty here presents itself. There are certain verses inserted in the narrative which are written from quite a different point of view; they deal with the superiority of the prieststo the Levites. These verses are 8 11, 16, 17, 36 40, and the genealogy of Korah from Levi in Numbers 16:1. Korah and his followers are here represented as Levites who wrongly claim the privileges of priests, while in the rest of the chapter they are laymen who wrongly claim the privileges of the Levites (see on Numbers 27:3). The verses must belong to a time when Levites had become inferior to the priests who were descended in a direct line from Aaron.