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Friday, September 12th, 2025
the Week of Proper 18 / Ordinary 23
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Bible in Basic English

Numbers 16:9

Does it seem only a small thing to you that the God of Israel has made you separate from the rest of Israel, letting you come near himself to do the work of the House of the Lord, and to take your place before the people to do what has to be done for them;

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Aaron;   Ambition;   Conspiracy;   Dathan;   Ingratitude;   Israel;   Levites;   Meekness;   Minister, Christian;   Moses;   Murmuring;   Reproof;   Treason;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Desert, Journey of Israel through the;   Levites, the;   Priests;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Aaron;   Abiram;   Dathan;   Earthquake;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Aaron;   Incense;   Korah;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - God, Names of;   Leadership;   Levite;   Priest, Christ as;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Abiram;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Dathan;   Korah;   Priest;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Aaron's Rod;   Assir;   Election;   Levites;   Uzzia(h);   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Aaron's Rod;   Deuteronomy;   Government;   Hexateuch;   Kadesh;   Kohath, Kohathites;   Numbers, Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Minister, Ministration;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Censer;   Dathan ;   Korah;   Moses ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Korah;   Samuel;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Brazen Serpent;   Government of the Hebrews;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - On to Canaan;   Moses, the Man of God;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Korah;   Moses;   Pentateuch;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Levi ;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
[seems it but] a small thing to you, that the God of Yisra'el has separated you from the congregation of Yisra'el, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the tent of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
King James Version
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?
Lexham English Bible
Is it too little for you that the God of Israel set you apart from the community of Israel to allow you to approach him to do the work of the tabernacle of Yahweh, to stand before the community to serve them?
New Century Version
The God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelites. He brought you near to himself to do the work in the Lord 's Holy Tent and to stand before all the Israelites and serve them. Isn't that enough?
New English Translation
Does it seem too small a thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the community of Israel to bring you near to himself, to perform the service of the tabernacle of the Lord , and to stand before the community to minister to them?
Amplified Bible
does it seem but a small thing to you that the God of Israel has 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 to them;
New American Standard Bible
Is it too small an honor for you that the God of Israel has singled you out from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to perform the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
Geneva Bible (1587)
Seemeth it a smal thing vnto you that the God of Israel hath separated you from the multitude of Israel, to take you neere to himselfe, to doe the seruice of the Tabernacle of the Lord, & to stand before the Congregation and to minister vnto them?
Legacy Standard Bible
is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to perform the service of the tabernacle of Yahweh, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
Complete Jewish Bible
Is it for you a mere trifle that the God of Isra'el has separated you from the community of Isra'el to bring you close to himself, so that you can do the work in the tabernacle of Adonai and stand before the community serving them?
Darby Translation
Is it too little for you, that the God of Israel has separated you from the assembly of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the work of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the assembly to minister to them?
Easy-to-Read Version
You should be happy that the God of Israel chose you to be different from the rest of the Israelites. He lets you come near to him to do the special work in the Lord 's Holy Tent to help the Israelites worship him. Isn't that enough?
English Standard Version
is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them,
George Lamsa Translation
Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the whole congregation of Israel and brought you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?
Good News Translation
Do you consider it a small matter that the God of Israel has set you apart from the rest of the community, so that you can approach him, perform your service in the Lord 's Tent, and minister to the community and serve them?
Christian Standard Bible®
Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the Israelite community to bring you near to himself, to perform the work at the Lord’s tabernacle, and to stand before the community to minister to them?
Literal Translation
is it but a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
it not ynough vnto you, yt ye God of Israel hath separated you fro ye multitude of Israel, yt ye shulde come nye him, to do the seruyce of the dwellynge place of the LORDE, and stonde before the people to mynister vnto them?
American Standard Version
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 Jehovah, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Seemeth it but a small thyng vnto you, that the God of Israel hath seperated you from the multitude of Israel, and brought you to hym selfe, to do the seruice of the tabernacle of the Lorde, and to stande before the multitude, and to minister vnto them?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
is 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;
King James Version (1611)
Seemeth it but a small thing vnto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the Congregation of Israel, to bring you neere to himselfe, to doe the seruice of the Tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the Congregation to minister vnto them?
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Is it a little thing for you, that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, and brought you near to himself to minister in the services of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the tabernacle to minister for them?
English Revised Version
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;
Berean Standard Bible
Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel and brought you near to Himself to perform the work at the LORD's tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Whether it is litil to you, that God of Israel departide you fro al the puple, and ioynede you to hym silf, that ye schulden serue hym in the seruyce of tabernacle, and that ye schulden stonde bifor the multitude of puple, and schulden serue hym?
Young's Literal Translation
is it little to you that the God of Israel hath separated you from the company of Israel to bring you near unto Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the company to serve them? --
Update Bible Version
[does it seem but] a small thing to you, that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Yahweh, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
Webster's Bible Translation
[Seemeth it but] a small thing to 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 to them?
World English Bible
[seems it but] a small thing to you, that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the tent of Yahweh, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
New King James Version
Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to serve them;
New Living Translation
Does it seem insignificant to you that the God of Israel has chosen you from among all the community of Israel to be near him so you can serve in the Lord 's Tabernacle and stand before the people to minister to them?
New Life Bible
Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has set you apart from the rest of the people of Israel? He has brought you near to Himself. He has you do the work around the meeting tent of the Lord. And He has you stand in front of the people to care for them.
New Revised Standard
Is it too little for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to allow you to approach him in order to perform the duties of the Lord 's tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation and serve them?
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel hath separated you from the assembly of Israel, to bring you near unto himself, - to do the laborious work of the habitation of Yahweh, and to stand before the assembly, to wait upon them?
Douay-Rheims Bible
Is it a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath spared you from all the people, and joined you to himself, that you should serve him in the service of the tabernacle, and should stand before the congregation of the people, and should minister to him?
Revised Standard Version
is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
New American Standard Bible (1995)
is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of 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 to them;

Contextual Overview

1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Pallu, the son of Reuben, made themselves ready, 2 And came before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty chiefs of the people, men of good name who had a place in the meeting of the people. 3 They came together against Moses and against Aaron, and said to them, You take overmuch on yourselves, seeing that all the people are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them; why then have you put yourselves in authority over the people of the Lord? 4 And Moses, hearing this, went down on his face; 5 And he said to Korah and his band, In the morning the Lord will make clear who are his, and who is holy, and who may come near him: the man of his selection will be caused to come near him. 6 So do this: let Korah and all his band take vessels for burning perfumes; 7 And put spices on the fire in them before the Lord tomorrow; then the man marked out by the Lord will be holy: you take overmuch on yourselves, you sons of Levi. 8 And Moses said to Korah, Give ear now, you sons of Levi: 9 Does it seem only a small thing to you that the God of Israel has made you separate from the rest of Israel, letting you come near himself to do the work of the House of the Lord, and to take your place before the people to do what has to be done for them; 10 Letting you, and all your brothers the sons of Levi, come near to him? and would you now be priests?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Seemeth it but: Numbers 16:13, Genesis 30:15, 1 Samuel 18:23, 2 Samuel 7:19, Isaiah 7:13, Ezekiel 34:18, 1 Corinthians 4:3

separated: Numbers 1:53, Numbers 3:41-45, Numbers 8:14-16, Numbers 18:2-6, Deuteronomy 10:8, 2 Chronicles 35:3, Nehemiah 12:44, Ezekiel 44:10, Ezekiel 44:11, Acts 13:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:1 - take Numbers 3:6 - General Numbers 4:3 - to do Deuteronomy 18:5 - General 1 Kings 16:31 - as if it had been a light thing 1 Chronicles 6:48 - brethren Nehemiah 13:29 - the covenant Malachi 2:5 - covenant John 3:27 - A man Romans 1:1 - separated

Cross-References

Genesis 16:5
And Sarai said to Abram, May my wrong be on you: I gave you my servant for your wife and when she saw that she was with child, she no longer had any respect for me: may the Lord be judge between you and me.
Genesis 16:6
And Abram said, The woman is in your power; do with her whatever seems good to you. And Sarai was cruel to her, so that she went running away from her.
Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the wrath of the ruler is against you, keep in your place; in him who keeps quiet even great sins may be overlooked.
Ephesians 5:21
Letting yourselves be ruled by one another in the fear of Christ.
Titus 2:9
Servants are to be under the authority of their masters, pleasing them in all things, without argument;

Gill's Notes on the Bible

[Seemeth it but] a small thing unto you,.... It should not; for it was a great thing which the Lord had done for them, and with which they should have been satisfied, and for it thankful:

that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel: this was a special favour, and ought to have been esteemed such, that God, who was the God of the whole people of Israel in common, should separate the tribe of Levi from all the rest of the tribes of Israel:

to bring you near to himself; next to the priests their brethren of the same tribe, to be joined to them, and assist them in their service, and officiate in the court of the tabernacle, where the divine Majesty dwelt:

to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord; to watch it, and guard it, and keep out persons until to enter into it; to take it down and set it up, as occasion required, and bear and carry the holy things in it, and take care of them:

and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? which Jarchi interprets of their singing in the desk songs of praise before them; but Aben Ezra, better, of the service they did for them, when they brought their offerings and sacrifices, which they took of them, and carried to the priests to offer for them.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

“Seemeth” is not in the original. Render it as: Is it too little for you, i. e. “is it less than your dignity demands?”


 
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