Bible Strands
Numbers 16:15
Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses speaks to the LORD immediately after Korah’s faction accuses him of withholding promised land and exploiting the people. This occurs at the peak of the rebellion when the rebels demand an accounting of Moses’s conduct.
The words — The phrase וַיִּחַר מְאֹד (va.yi.char me'od) literally renders “and it burned exceedingly,” denoting Moses’s intense anger. The verb תֵּפֶן (tefen) means “you turn” or “you regard,” forming the negative command to disregard the rebels’ offering.
The thread — The defense against exploitation runs directly to 2 Corinthians 7:2, where Paul states he has wronged or corrupted no one. The motif of holy anger at misplaced worship parallels Exodus 32:19, where Moses burns with anger at the calf idol.
Why it lands — The text first records Moses’s denial of taking donkeys or mistreating anyone, then demands that the LORD disregard the rebels’ offering. Readers must separate legitimate authority from corrupt claims by examining concrete actions rather than rhetorical accusations.
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 Moses was very wroth, and said unto the Lord, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
Cross-references
- Genesis 4:4 while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
- 2 Corinthians 7:2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.
- Exodus 32:19 As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, he burned with anger and threw the tablets out of his hands, shattering them at the base of the mountain.
- Numbers 12:3 Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.
- Numbers 16:6 You, Korah, and all your followers are to do as follows: Take censers,
- 1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”
- Isaiah 1:10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
- Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
- Mark 3:5 Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored.
- Acts 20:33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.