Psalms 106:16
They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְקַנְא֣וּ
They envied
H7065
וַיְקַנְא֣וּ
They envied
Strong's:
H7065
Word #:
1 of 6
to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה
also in the camp
H4264
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה
also in the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
3 of 6
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
Historical Context
Korah (a Levite) along with Dathan and Abiram (Reubenites) led 250 leaders in challenging Moses and Aaron's authority (Numbers 16:1-3). They claimed all the congregation was holy, rejecting the special priesthood. God judged them dramatically: the earth opened and swallowed the rebels and their families, and fire consumed the 250 incense-offerers. This demonstrated that challenging God-ordained authority brings judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does envy of church leadership constitute rebellion against God?
- What does respect for God-ordained authority look like in the New Covenant context?
- How can believers submit to spiritual leadership while maintaining biblical discernment?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse recounts the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Numbers 16). 'They envied Moses' shows the sin was jealousy of leadership. 'Aaron the saint of the LORD' emphasizes Aaron's consecrated status as high priest—he was the LORD's holy one (qadosh, קָדוֹשׁ), set apart for sacred service. The rebels challenged both civil (Moses) and religious (Aaron) authority, essentially questioning God's ordained leadership structure. Envy of God-appointed leaders is rebellion against God Himself. The description of Aaron as 'saint' highlights that the rebels weren't just opposing a man but God's consecrated priest, making their sin sacrilege.