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Numbers 16:9

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 16:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “[seemeth it but] a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

[seemeth it but] a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them;
Numbers 16:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6This do: take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
7and put fire in them, and put incense upon them before Jehovah to-morrow: and it shall be that the man whom Jehovah doth choose, he [shall be] holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
8And Moses said unto Korah, Hear now, ye sons of Levi:
9[seemeth it but] a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them;
10and that he hath brought thee near, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee? and seek ye the priesthood also?
11Therefore thou and all thy company are gathered together against Jehovah: and Aaron, what is he that ye murmur against him?
12And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; and they said, We will not come up:
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“[Seemeth it but] a small thing unto you, etc.] It should not; for it was a great thing which the Lord had done for them, and with which they should have been satisfied, and for it thankful: that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel: this was a special favour, and ought to have been esteemed such, that God, who was the God of the whole people of Israel in common, should separate the tribe of Levi from all the rest of the tribes of Israel: to bring you near to himself; next to the priests their brethren of the same tribe, to be joined to them, and assist them in their service, and officiate in the court of the tabernacle, where the divine Majesty dwelt: to do…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
““Seemeth” is not in the original. Render it as: Is it too little for you, i. e. “is it less than your dignity demands?” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“To minister to them - So they were the servants both of God and of the church, which was an high dignity, though not sufficient for their ambitious minds. Numbers 16:11”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Seemeth it but: Num 16:13; Gen 30:15; Sa1 18:23; Sa2 7:19; Isa 7:13; Eze 34:18; Co1 4:3 separated: Num 1:53, Num 3:41-45, Num 8:14-16, Num 18:2-6; Deu 10:8; Ch2 35:3; Neh 12:44; Eze 44:10, Eze 44:11; Act 13:2 Numbers 16:10”
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Related study paths

Read Numbers 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification