Bible Strands
Numbers 16:10
He has brought you near, you and all your fellow Levites, but you are seeking the priesthood as well.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses addresses Korah and the Levites during their rebellion against his and Aaron’s authority in Numbers 16. He confronts their demand to assume priestly roles alongside their existing Levitical duties.
The words — וַ/יַּקְרֵב֙ (va/i.yak.Rev) = he has brought near, and אֹֽתְ/ךָ֔ ('o.te./Kha) = you [accusative object]. The syntax confirms God’s prior act of drawing Korah and the Levites close to the tabernacle for service.
The thread — The restriction of priestly access recurs in Numbers 3:10 and Numbers 18:7, while the danger of overreaching authority echoes Proverbs 13:10.
Why it lands — The text states that God already granted Korah and the Levites ritual proximity, yet they demanded the priesthood. It asks the reader to recognize that demanding roles beyond granted assignment breeds division rather than honor.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
Cross-references
- Numbers 3:10 So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.”
- Numbers 18:7 But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”
- Proverbs 13:10 Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
- Matthew 20:21 “What do you want?” He inquired. She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.”
- Luke 22:24 A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
- Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
- Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
- 3 John 1:9 I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.