Numbers 16:1

Footnotes

1. 1 There are three main movements in the story of ch. 16. The first is the rebellion itself (vv. 1–19). The second is the judgment (vv. 20–35). Third is the atonement for the rebels (vv. 36–50). The whole chapter is a marvelous account of a massive rebellion against the leaders that concludes with reconciliation. For further study see G. Hort, “The Death of Qorah,” 7 (1959): 2–26; and J. Liver, “Korah, Dathan and Abiram,” Studies in the Bible ( 8), 189–217.
2. 2 The reading is plural (“the sons of Reuben”); the and have the singular (“the son of Reuben”).
3. 3 In the Hebrew text there is no object for the verb “took.” The translation presented above supplies the word “men.” However, it is possible that the has suffered damage here. The has “and he spoke.” The and have “and he was divided.” The editor of suggests that perhaps the should be emended to “and he arose.”