John Calvin on Numbers 15:32-37

32. And while the children of Israel. Since we know not in what year, or in what month this happened, it appeared that nothing would be better than to follow the context of Moses. This history shows that the Israelites were not always affected by the same degree of madness, so as to be rebellious against God; since in this instance their moderation is no less manifested than the fervency of their pious zeal. But as one swallow does not make spring, so we shall form an incorrect judgment of men’s whole lives from one noble action. The transgressor of the law is brought to Moses and Aaron, whose authority retains the whole people in the path of duty. Their humility is also worthy of praise, in that they quietly wait for the decision of God; and finally, must be added, their energy in executing the punishment as soon as God has declared the sentence. You would say that in every point they were rightly conformed to the rules of piety; but, since the most trifling occasion immediately led them astray, their hypocrisy was discovered by this great levity of conduct.

This, however, is the sum of the history, that by the death of one man the obligation of the Sabbath was sanctioned, so that it might henceforth be held in greater reverence. It might indeed be the case that these men, who brought the transgressor of the Sabbath, were careless in other matters, and, as is usual with hypocrites, were excessively rigid in their assertion of the claims of an outward ceremony. From the punishment, however, we may infer that the criminal himself had not erred through inadvertence, but in gross contempt of the Law, so as to think nothing of subverting and corrupting all things sacred. Sometimes, indeed, God has severely avenged inconsideration in the pollution of holy things; but it is probable that He would not have commanded this man to be stoned, unless he had been convicted of willful crime. Moreover, by this severity God testified how much stress He laid upon the observance of the Sabbath. The reason of this has been elsewhere set forth, Vol. 2, p 434. viz., that by this mark and symbol He had separated His chosen people from heathen nations. Whence also arose the main reproach against the Jews, when they were called Sabbatarians. Martial, lib. 4, epigr. 4, speaks of “jejunia Sabbatariorum,” in a connection which makes it highly probable that it was a kind of nickname for the Jews.

But it must be borne in mind that the worship of God was not to consist in mere idleness and festivity; and therefore that what God enjoined respecting the seventh day had another object: not only that they should then employ themselves in meditating upon His works, but that, renouncing themselves and their own works, they should live unto God.

Furthermore, this case shows us in general that the magistracy is appointed no less for the maintenance of the First Table, than the Second; so that, if they inflict punishment upon murder, adultery, and theft, they should also vindicate the worship of God: for it is to be observed that the man was not stoned by a mere unreflecting impulse, but by the direct command of God. They knew, indeed, what he had deserved before God’s tribunal; but, since no political law had been given on this head, Moses was unwilling to come to any decision except by the authority of God.

Numbers 16

Numbers 16:1-50

1. Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi: and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab; and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, tool: men:

1. Tulit autem Corah filius Ishar, filii Cehath, filii Levi, et Dathan et Abiram filii Eliab, et On filius Peleth filii Reuben.

2. And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:

2. Et surrexerunt coram Mose, et viri e filiis Israel ducenti quinquaginta, principes congregationis, vocati ad tempus statutum, viri nominis.

3. And 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?

3. Congregatique sunt adversum Mosen et Aharon, ac dixerunt eis, Sat sit vobis: nam tota congregatio, universi ipsi sancti sunt, et in medio, eorum est Jehova: quare ergo effertis vos supra congregationem Jehovae?

4. And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his bee:

4. Quod quum audisset Moses, projecit se in faciem suam.

5. And he spoke unto Korah, and unto all his company, saying, Even tomorrow the Lord will show who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

5. Et loquutus est ad Corah et ad omnem congregationem ejus, dicendo: Mane ostendet Jehova qui sint ejus, et quis sanctus, et ut accedat ad se: et quem elegerit, accedere faciet ad se.

6. This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;

6. Hoc facite, capite vobis acerras, Corah et tota congregatio ejus,

7. And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the Lord tomorrow: and it shall be, that the man whom the Lord doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

7. Et ponite in illis ignem, imponite quoque in eis incensum coram Jehova cras, et erit, vir quem elegerit Jehova, erit ille sanctus: satis sit vobis filii Levi.

8. And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi;

8. Et dixit Moses ad Corah: Audite, quaeso, filii Levi.

9. Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?

9. An parurn hoe vobis est quod separaverit Deus Israelis vos de congregatione Israel, ut accedere faceret vos sibi ut ministretis in ministerio tabernaculi Jehovae, et ut staretis coram congregatione, ut ministraretis ei.

10. And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also

10. Et accedere fecit te, et omnes fratres tuos, filios Levi tecum: nisi quaeratis etiam sacerdotium?

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?

11. Idcirco tu et universa congregatio tua estis qui conveniunt contra Jehovam: at vero Aharon quid est, quod murmurastis adversus eum?

12. And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; which said, We will not come up:

12. Misit etiam Moses ad vocandum Dathan et Abiram filios Eliab: qui responderunt, Non ascendemus.

13. Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?

13. An parum es quod ascendere feceris nos e terra quae fluit lacte et melle, ut mori nos faceres in deserto, nisi etiam dominando domineris nobis?

14. Moreover, thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.

14. Atqui certe ad terram quae fluit lacte et melle non introduxistis nos, neque dedisti nobis haereditatem agrorum et vinearum: an oculos virorum istorum effodies? Non ascendemus.

15. And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the Lord, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

15. Iratus est ergo Moses valde, et dixit ad Jehovam, Ne respicias ad oblationem eorum: ne asellum quidem unum ab eis accepi, neque afflixi quenquam ex ipsis.

16. And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the Lord, thou, and they, and Aaron, tomorrow:

16. Postea dixit Moses ad Corah, Tu et universa congregatio tua estote coram Jehova, tu et illi et Aharon cras.

17. And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the Lord every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.

17. Et capite quisque acerram suam, et ponite in illis suffitum, et admovete coram Jehova quisque acerram suam, ducentas quinquaginta acerras, tu quoque et Aharon, quisque acerram suam.

18. And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.

18. Tulerunt igitur quisque acerram suam, et posuerunt in ipsis ignem, posueruntque suffitum, et steterunt ad ostium tabernaculi conventionis, et Moses et Aharon.

19. And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the congregation.

19. Congregaverat autem contra ipsos Corah, universam congregationem ad ostium tabernaculi conventionis: et visa est gloria Jehovae a tota multitudine.

20. And the Lord spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

20. Tunc loquutus est Jehova ad Mosen et Aharon, dicendo:

21. Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.

21. Separate vos e medio turbae, ejus, et consumam eos momento.

22. 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?

22. Tunc ceciderunt super facies suas, ac dixerunt, Deus (vel, fortis) Deus spirituum in universa carne, num quum vir unus peccaverit, contra totum coetum excandesces?

23. And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying,

23. Loquutus est autem Jehova ad Mosen dicendo:

24. Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

24. Alloquere congregationem, dicendo, Discedite e circuitu tabernaculi Corae, Dathan, et Abiram.

25. And Moses rose up, and went unto Dathan and Abiram: and the elders of Israel followed him.

25. Surrexit ergo Moses, et venit ad Dathan et Abiram: et sequuti sunt eum seniores Israel.

26. And he spoke unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

26. Tune loquutus est ad congregationera, dicens, Recedite nunc a tabernaculis virorum istorum impiorum, neque attingatis quicquam eorum quae ad illos pertinent, ne forte pereatis in omnibus peccatis illorum.

27. So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

27. Et recesserunt a tabernaculo Corae, Dathan et Abiram, e circuitu. Dathan vero et Abiram egressi sunt, ac steterunt ad ostium tabernaculorum suorum, et uxores eorum, et filii eorum, et parvuli eorum.

28. And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works; (for I have not done them of mine own mind:)

28. Tunc dixit Moses, In hoc scietis quod Jehova miserit me, ut facerem omnia opera haec, et quod non de corde meo:

29. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men, then the Lord hath not sent me:

29. Si ut moriuntur omnes homines, morientur isti, et visitatione omnium hominum visitabitur super eos, non misit me Jehova:

30. But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord.

30. Sin autem creationem creaverit Jehova, et aperuit terra os suum, et deglutiverit eos, atque omnia quae ad illos pertinent, et descenderint viventes in infernum: tum cognoscetis quod irritaverunt viri isti Jehovam.

31. And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:

31. Fuit igitur quum consummasset loqui omnia verba ista, rupit sese terra quae erat sub illis:

32. And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

32. Aperuitque terra os suum, et deglutivit eos, et domos eorum, atque omnes homines qui erant ipsi Corah, et omnem substantiam:

33. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

33. Descenderuntque ipsi et quotquot ad eos pertinebant viventes, in infernum: ac operuit eos terra, et perierunt e medio congregationis.

34. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.

34. Omnis autem Israel qui erant in circuitu eorum, fugerunt ad clamorem eorum: dicebant enim, Ne forte deglutiat nos terra.

35. And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

35. Porro ignis egressus est a Jehova, et consumpsit ducentos illos, et quinquaginta viros offerentes suffitum.

36. And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying,

36. Tunc loquutus est Jehova ad Mosen, dicendo:

37. Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.

37. Dic ad Eleazar filium Aharon sacerdotis, ut tollat acerras e medio incendii, et ignem dispergat longius, quid sanctificatae sunt.

38. The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar; for they offered them before the Lord, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

38. Quod ad acerras istorum qui scelerati fuerunt in animas suas, ut faciant ex illis extensiones laminarum, opertorium altaris: quia obtulerunt in ipsis coram Jehova, et sanctificatae sunt: et erunt in signum filiis Israel.

39. And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered, and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar;

39. Tulit itaque Eleazar sacerdos acerras aereas quibus obtulerant combusti, et extenderunt eas operimentum altaris.

40. To be a memorial unto the children of Israel that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord, that he be not as Korah, and as his company; as the Lord said to him by the hand of Moses.

40. Memoriale filiis Israel, ut non accedat quisquam alienus qui non sit e semine Aharon, ut offerat suffitum coram Jehova, ne sit sicut Corah et coetus ejus: quemadmodum ei praeceperat Jehova per manum Mosis.

41. But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord.

41. Et murmuraverunt universus coetus filiorum Israel postridie contra Mosen et Aharon, dicendo, Vos interfecistis populum Jehovae.

42. And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation; and. behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared.

42. Fuit autem quum se congregaret universus coetus contra Mosen et Aharon, verterunt faciem ad tabernaculum conventionis, et ecce operuit illud nubes et conspecta est gloria Jehovae.

43. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.

43. Venit ergo Moses et Aharon coram tabernaculo conventionis.

44. And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying,

44. Et loquutus est Jehova ad Mosen, dicendo:

45. Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their hoes.

45. Recedite e medio congregationis hujus, et consumam eos momento. Tunc projecerunt se super faciem suam.

46. And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wroth gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun.

46. Dixitque Moses ad Aharon, Cape acerram, et pone in ea ignem ex altari, et injice suffitum et perge cito ad congregationem, et expia eos: egressus est enim furor a facie Jehovae, coepitque percussio.

47. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.

47. Tulit ergo Aharon quenmadmodum dixerat Moses, et cucurrit in medium congregationis: et ecce incoeperat percussio in populo, posuitque suffitum et expiavit populum.

48. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

48. Et quum staret inter mortuos et viventes, cessavit percussio.

49. Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides them that died about the matter of Korah.

49. Fuernnt autem qui mortui sunt plaga illa, quatuordecim millia et septingenti, praeter mortuos super negotio Corah.

50. And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.

50. Postea reversus est Aharon ad Mosen ad ostium tabernaculi conventionis, quum percussio esset cohibita.