Numbers 16:26

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 16:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
Numbers 16:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
26And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he spake unto the congregation, etc.] To the people of Israel assembled together on this occasion: some, out of ill will to Moses and Aaron, inclining to the side of Korah and his accomplices, and some out of curiosity to see the issue of this affair saying, depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men; these turbulent, seditious, and ill-designing men, disturbers of the commonwealth and church of Israel, enemies to the peace of its civil and ecclesiastic state: and when Moses desires the people to depart from their tents, he means not only that they would remove in person, and stand at a distance, but such who had their tents, and families, and substance near them, would take…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:26 don’t touch anything that belongs to them: These men and their belongings were now “set apart for destruction” (see Lev 27:28-29; cp. Deut 7:26; 13:17; Josh 6:18; 7:1-26).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I pray you: The rebels, with all that belonged to them, were, as an accursed thing, devoted to utter destruction ( Lev 27:28, Lev 27:29. Jos 7:13-15, Jos 7:23-26). The people therefore were forbidden to touch anything belonging to them; that they might enter a solemn protest against their wickedness, acknowledge the justice of their punishment, and express their fear of being involved in it. Num 16:21-24; Gen 19:12-14; Deu 13:17; Isa 52:11; Mat 10:14; Act 8:20, Act 13:51; Co2 6:17; Ti1 5:22; Rev 18:4 Numbers 16:27”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification