Numbers 16:8

Study note

Setting — Moses speaks to Korah and the Levite leaders at the precise moment their rebellion is being tested. This confrontation follows Moses’ instruction to prepare fire pans as a divine trial.

The words — The imperative שִׁמְעוּ (shim‘u) means "listen" or "hear," intensified by the particle נָא (na), which functions as "please" or "now." The phrase בְּנֵי לֵוִי (benei Levi) literally identifies the addressees as descendants of Levi.

The thread — The immediate context in Numbers 16:7 and Numbers 16:9 frames this address as part of a single judicial exchange about priestly privilege and divine selection. The designation "sons of Levi" anchors the dispute to their specific covenant role within the Israelite camp.

Why it lands — The text demands immediate attention to a divine test before any further action is taken. It requires the reader to recognize that authority and holiness are determined by God’s choice, not by hereditary status.

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.