What does Numbers 16:49 mean?
"Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah." - Numbers 16:49

Numbers 16:49 (KJV) states: "Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah."
This verse comes at the end of a story of rebellion and punishment in the book of Numbers. The context of this verse is the rebellion of Korah and his followers against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and On, led a group of 250 prominent Israelite men who were dissatisfied with the leadership of Moses and Aaron. They challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron, claiming that all the congregation was holy and that they should not exalt themselves above the rest of the people (Numbers 16:3).
Moses responded by proposing a test to prove God's choice of leadership. The rebels and their families were to stand apart from Moses and Aaron, and God would make His choice known. The next day, as the congregation looked on, the rebels and their families perished when the earth opened up and swallowed them, and a fire consumed the other 250 men (Numbers 16:31-35).
Following this event, the Israelites became fearful and angry, accusing Moses and Aaron of causing the deaths of God's people. Numbers 16:49 comes as a concluding statement to the events that unfolded. The verse states that 14,700 people died in a plague in addition to those who had died in the rebellion of Korah. This was a significant number of deaths and served as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rebellion against God-appointed leadership.
The themes that emerge from this passage include the consequences of rebellion, the importance of following God-appointed leadership, and the seriousness of sin. The rebellion of Korah and his followers was met with swift and severe punishment from God, highlighting the gravity of their actions. The passage serves as a warning to others who may be tempted to challenge the authority and established order that God has ordained.
Symbolism is also present in this verse. The rebellion of Korah and his followers can be seen as a symbol of the larger struggle between obedience and rebellion, humility and pride, and faithfulness and self-interest. The consequences of their rebellion serve as a symbol of the destructive nature of sin and the need for repentance and submission to God's will.
In a broader context, this passage also speaks to the concept of divine judgment. The deaths of the rebels and those who perished in the plague were a result of God's judgment upon their actions. This serves as a reminder of God's holiness, justice, and sovereignty over His creation. It also reinforces the idea that there are consequences for our actions, and that God's judgment is ultimately just and righteous.
Overall, Numbers 16:49 in the King James Version is a somber and sobering reminder of the consequences of rebellion and the importance of submitting to God's appointed authority. It serves as a cautionary tale and a powerful example of the concept of divine judgment and the seriousness of sin. It also demonstrates the need for humility, obedience, and faithfulness in our relationship with God.
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Numbers 16:49 - "Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah."
"Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah." - Numbers 16:49
Numbers 26:49 - "Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites."
Numbers 1:49 - "Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:"
Numbers 33:49 - "And they pitched by Jordan, from Beth-jesimoth even unto Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab."
Genesis 49:16 - "¶ Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel."
Numbers 3:49 - "And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites:"
"Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites." - Numbers 26:49
Psalms 49:16 - "Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;"
Numbers 31:49 - "And they said unto Moses, Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us."
Numbers 4:49 - "According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses."
Isaiah 49:16 - "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."
Psalm 49:16-17 - "Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them."
"¶ Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel." - Genesis 49:16
Numbers 16:18
"And they pitched by Jordan, from Beth-jesimoth even unto Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab." - Numbers 33:49
Ezekiel 16:49 - "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."
"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of [my] hands; thy walls [are] continually before me." - Isaiah 49:16
"Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:" - Numbers 1:49
"And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites:" - Numbers 3:49
Numbers 7:49 - "His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:"
Numbers 11:16-26
Numbers 32:16-18
Numbers 32:16-18
Numbers 16:16 - "And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:"
"Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;" - Psalms 49:16
Numbers 25:16 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Numbers 7:16 - "One kid of the goats for a sin offering:"
Numbers 34:16 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Numbers 3:16 - "And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded."