Numbers 16:11
For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֗ן
For which cause
H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
For which cause
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲדָ֣תְךָ֔
both thou and all thy company
H5712
עֲדָ֣תְךָ֔
both thou and all thy company
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
4 of 13
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
הַנֹּֽעָדִ֖ים
are gathered together
H3259
הַנֹּֽעָדִ֖ים
are gathered together
Strong's:
H3259
Word #:
5 of 13
to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or positi
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוָ֑ה
against the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
ה֔וּא
H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
10 of 13
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Exodus 17:2Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?1 Corinthians 3:5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?Numbers 16:3And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
Historical Context
This echoes Moses' earlier statement when Israel complained: 'your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD' (Exodus 16:8). The pattern recurs throughout Scripture: rejecting God's appointed leaders constitutes rejecting God (1 Samuel 8:7, Luke 10:16).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between legitimate concerns about leadership and rebellion against God's authority?
- When have you criticized human leaders while really resisting God's will?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses declares the true target of their rebellion: 'ye gather against the LORD.' What appeared as challenge to human leadership was actually revolt against divine authority. This penetrating insight reveals that all rebellion against God-ordained authority ultimately opposes God Himself. Aaron was merely the visible representative of God's choice.