King James Version

What Does Numbers 16:24 Mean?

Numbers 16:24 in the King James Version says “Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.”

Numbers 16:24 · KJV

Context

22

And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

23

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

24

Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

25

And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.

26

And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

Read Numbers 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram—God's mercy provides escape: he'alu (הֵעָלוּ, 'get you up') commands physical separation from the rebels' tents. The phrase mi'saviv (מִסָּבִיב, 'from about/around') indicates that many Israelites were camped near or associating with the three rebel leaders—guilt by proximity unless they repent and depart.

Note the expanded list: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram—this was a coalition rebellion. Korah (a Levite, Kohathite clan) represented religious grievance; Dathan and Abiram (Reubenites) represented tribal/political grievance against Moses. Together they mounted a two-front attack: 'you've taken too much religious authority' (Korah) and 'you've failed as political leader' (Dathan/Abiram, v. 13-14). God will answer both charges decisively.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Reuben's tribe camped south of the tabernacle, adjacent to the Kohathites (Numbers 2:10, 3:29), creating geographic proximity that fostered the conspiracy. Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, had lost preeminence due to sin (Genesis 49:3-4), breeding resentment that Dathan and Abiram exploited. The tribe never recovered prominence in Israel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does proximity (physical, relational, ideological) to rebellion endanger you, even if you're not actively participating?
  2. What modern parallels exist to the Korah-Dathan-Abiram coalition—religious grievance allied with political grievance against biblical authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
דַּבֵּ֥ר1 of 10

“Speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל2 of 10
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽעֵדָ֖ה3 of 10

“unto the congregation”

H5712

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

לֵאמֹ֑ר4 of 10

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֵֽעָלוּ֙5 of 10

“Get you up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִסָּבִ֔יב6 of 10

“from about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

לְמִשְׁכַּן7 of 10

“the tabernacle”

H4908

a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w

קֹ֖רַח8 of 10

“of Korah”

H7141

korach, the name of two edomites and three israelites

דָּתָ֥ן9 of 10

“Dathan”

H1885

dathan, an israelite

וַֽאֲבִירָֽם׃10 of 10

“and Abiram”

H48

abiram, the name of two israelites

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 16:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 16:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 16:21

Test Your Knowledge

Numbers 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterNumbers Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Numbers 16 with CommentaryAll Numbers ChaptersComplete Numbers QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes