Numbers 16:22

Authorized King James Version

And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּפְּל֤וּ

H5307

And they fell

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵיהֶם֙

H6440

upon their faces

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵ֕ל

H410

O God

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

אֱלֹהֵ֥י

H430

the God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

הָֽרוּחֹ֖ת

H7307

of the spirits

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

לְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בָּשָׂ֑ר

H1320

of all flesh

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

#10

הָאִ֤ישׁ

H376

man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#11

אֶחָד֙

H259

shall one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

#12

יֶֽחֱטָ֔א

H2398

sin

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

#13

וְעַ֥ל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#14

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#15

הָֽעֵדָ֖ה

H5712

with all the congregation

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

#16

תִּקְצֹֽף׃

H7107

and wilt thou be wroth

to crack off, i.e., (figuratively) burst out in rage

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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Numbers 16:22

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Study Resources