King James Version

What Does Numbers 16:27 Mean?

Numbers 16:27 in the King James Version says “So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stoo...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.”

Numbers 16:27 · KJV

Context

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.

27

So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

28

And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.

29

If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. the common: Heb. as every man dieth

Read Numbers 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side—The faithful obey God's warning (v. 24), creating physical separation: mi'saviv (מִסָּבִיב, 'on every side') shows complete withdrawal. In contrast, Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents—they position themselves defiantly at their tent entrances with their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

This is chilling: they involve their families in their rebellion, ensuring corporate destruction. The phrase nitsavim (נִצָּבִים, 'standing') suggests deliberate posture—not cowering but brazenly awaiting God's judgment. Their whole households become complicit, illustrating that sin's consequences spread beyond the individual. Contrast righteous Lot, whose angels dragged him from Sodom (Genesis 19:16); here no one compels Dathan and Abiram—they freely choose destruction, dragging their children with them. Next verse (28) Moses warns: 'hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me'—creation itself will judge.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern households were corporate units; a patriarch's decision bound his family (Joshua 24:15: 'as for me and my house'). Yet Dathan and Abiram's wives and children weren't innocent bystanders—they participated in the rebellion's public theater. The earth swallowing them (v. 32-33) became a perpetual warning (Deuteronomy 11:6).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do your rebellious choices against God's authority affect those under your influence—family, employees, ministry followers?
  2. What's the proper balance between 'counting the cost' of following God (Luke 14:26-33) and recognizing that obedience to God preserves rather than destroys families?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֵּֽעָל֗וּ1 of 16

“So they gat up”

H5927

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

מֵעַ֧ל2 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִשְׁכַּן3 of 16

“from 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

קֹ֛רֶח4 of 16

“of Korah”

H7141

korach, the name of two edomites and three israelites

וְדָתָ֨ן5 of 16

“Dathan”

H1885

dathan, an israelite

וַֽאֲבִירָ֜ם6 of 16

“and Abiram”

H48

abiram, the name of two israelites

מִסָּבִ֑יב7 of 16

“on every side”

H5439

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

וְדָתָ֨ן8 of 16

“Dathan”

H1885

dathan, an israelite

וַֽאֲבִירָ֜ם9 of 16

“and Abiram”

H48

abiram, the name of two israelites

יָֽצְא֣וּ10 of 16

“came out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

נִצָּבִ֗ים11 of 16

“and stood”

H5324

to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)

פֶּ֚תַח12 of 16

“in the door”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

אָֽהֳלֵיהֶ֔ם13 of 16

“of their tents”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֥ם14 of 16

“and their wives”

H802

a woman

וּבְנֵיהֶ֖ם15 of 16

“and their sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְטַפָּֽם׃16 of 16

“and their little children”

H2945

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

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 16:27 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 16:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 18:12Job 9:4Job 40:10-11Proverbs 16:18Isaiah 28:142 Kings 9:30-31

Test Your Knowledge

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