King James Version

What Does Numbers 16:42 Mean?

Numbers 16:42 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tab... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.

Numbers 16:42 · KJV


Context

40

To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger , which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.

41

But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.

42

And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.

43

And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.

44

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"The congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron"—incredibly, Israel rebounds from witnessing divine judgment to renewed rebellion. The Hebrew qahal (קָהַל, to assemble) suggests organized opposition, not spontaneous complaint. Their accusation (implied from context and v. 41) blamed Moses and Aaron for the deaths, revealing hearts that interpret God's righteous judgment as leadership's cruelty.

"The cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared"—the kabod Yahweh (כְּבוֹד יְהוָה, glory of the LORD) manifests at the precise moment of rebellion, showing God's vigilant presence. The cloud's covering suggests both God's protective presence for Moses/Aaron and His dangerous holiness toward rebels. Divine glory means judgment for the unrepentant, grace for the faithful.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred the day after Korah's judgment (v. 41), demonstrating how quickly human hearts forget divine displays. The congregation's ability to organize opposition so quickly after witnessing earth opening and fire falling reveals the depth of human depravity and the hardness of unbelieving hearts. This episode would result in 14,700 additional deaths (v. 49).

Reflection Questions

  1. How can witnessing God's judgment fail to produce lasting repentance if hearts remain hardened?
  2. What does Israel's blaming of Moses for God's judgment reveal about human nature's tendency to justify rebellion?
  3. How should church leaders respond when congregations blame them for divine discipline they merely announced?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיְהִ֗י1 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּהִקָּהֵ֤ל2 of 17

was gathered

H6950

to convoke

הָֽעֵדָה֙3 of 17

And it came to pass when the congregation

H5712

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

עַל4 of 17
H5921

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

מֹשֶׁ֣ה5 of 17

against Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְעַֽל6 of 17
H5921

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

אַהֲרֹ֔ן7 of 17

and against Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וַיִּפְנוּ֙8 of 17

that they looked

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

אֶל9 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֹ֣הֶל10 of 17

toward the tabernacle

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

מוֹעֵ֔ד11 of 17

of the congregation

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

וְהִנֵּ֥ה12 of 17
H2009

lo!

כִסָּ֖הוּ13 of 17

covered

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

הֶֽעָנָ֑ן14 of 17

and behold the cloud

H6051

a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud

וַיֵּרָ֖א15 of 17

appeared

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

כְּב֥וֹד16 of 17

it and the glory

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

יְהוָֽה׃17 of 17

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


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 16:42 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 16:42 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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