Numbers 16:5

Then he said to Korah and all his followers, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will reveal who belongs to Him and who is holy, and He will bring that person near to Himself. The one He chooses He will bring near to Himself.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses speaks to Korah and his entire assembly immediately after falling facedown in response to their challenge. He declares that the Lord will determine divine election by the following morning.

The words — The Hebrew בֹּקֶר (Bo.ker) literally means "morning," establishing the precise timeframe for the coming revelation. The phrase עֲדָת/וֹ (a.da.T/o) translates to "his company," specifying the exact group that initiated the rebellion.

The thread — The text's focus on divine selection runs through Psalms 65:4, which blesses those chosen to dwell in God's courts, Numbers 17:5, which promises the chosen man's staff will sprout to halt Israel's grumbling, and Leviticus 10:3, which ties approaching God to the manifestation of His holiness.

Why it lands — The passage states that God alone identifies and brings near those who belong to Him, independent of human ambition. It requires the reader to abandon self-appointment and submit to divine authority in determining who is set apart.

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 spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the Lord will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

Cross-references

Psalms 65:4 Blessed is the one You choose and bring near to dwell in Your courts! We are filled with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple.
Numbers 17:5 The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid Myself of the constant grumbling of the Israelites against you.”
Leviticus 10:3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent.
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
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?”
Exodus 28:1 “Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.
1 Samuel 2:28 And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.
Psalms 105:26 He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron, whom He had chosen.
Ezekiel 40:46 and the chamber that faces north is for the priests who keep charge of the altar. These are the sons of Zadok, the only Levites who may approach the LORD to minister before Him.”
Ezekiel 44:15 But the Levitical priests, who are descended from Zadok and who kept charge of My sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from Me, are to approach Me to minister before Me. They will stand before Me to offer Me fat and blood, declares the Lord GOD.