Bible Strands
Numbers 16:11
Therefore, it is you and all your followers who have conspired against the LORD! As for Aaron, who is he that you should grumble against him?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses Korah and his followers during a direct confrontation over priestly authority. He speaks to the rebellious Levites at the moment they demand equal status with Aaron after God’s prior appointment.
The words — The Hebrew לָ/כֵ֗ן (la./Khen) translates literally as "therefore," linking the accusation to the preceding events. The phrase הַ/נֹּעָדִ֖ים (ha./no.'a.Dim) denotes the specific group that has gathered or conspired against Yahweh.
The thread — The pattern of murmuring against God’s appointed leadership appears in Exodus 16:7 and Exodus 17:2. The immediate rebellion narrative frames this exchange in Numbers 16:3 and Numbers 16:10.
Why it lands — The text states that opposing the gathered leadership is functionally opposing God, while dismissing Aaron’s role as unwarranted grumbling. It requires readers to separate personal complaints from direct rebellion against divinely established authority.
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
For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
Cross-references
- Exodus 16:7 and in the morning you will see the LORD’s glory, because He has heard your grumbling against Him. For who are we, that you should grumble against us?”
- Exodus 17:2 So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”
- Numbers 16:3 They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have taken too much upon yourselves! For everyone in the entire congregation is holy, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”
- 1 Corinthians 3:5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.
- 1 Samuel 8:7 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.
- Luke 10:16 Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”
- John 13:20 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever receives the one I send receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives the One who sent Me.”
- Acts 5:4 Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”
- Romans 13:2 Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
- 1 Corinthians 10:10 And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.