They refused Moses’ call, demonstrating a fatal pride that would soon bring about their downfall.
In Numbers 16:12, we read: “Then Moses sent a summons to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; but they said, ‘We will not come up.’” (v.12) Dathan and Abiram, from the tribe of Reuben, positioned themselves against Moses’ leadership in the wilderness, sometime after Israel’s exodus from Egypt (circa 1446 BC). Their refusal to answer Moses’ call took place as part of a larger rebellion that included Korah, illustrating a direct challenge to the covenant order established by God. By defiantly stating “We will not come up,” they implicitly rejected the divine authority invested in Moses, who was God’s appointed prophet and leader of Israel at that time.
Moses, born around 1526 BC, served as the mediator of God’s covenant with Israel and had led the people out of slavery in Egypt. Here, as he sent a summons to Dathan and Abiram, he extended an invitation for dialogue or possibly reconciliation. Instead, Dathan and Abiram’s reaction underscored their hardheartedness. Later in Deuteronomy, we see this rebellion referenced again, reminding Israel of “what He [the Lord] did to Dathan and Abiram,” when they and others challenged Moses (Deuteronomy 11:1-7). Their rebellion ultimately set them in opposition to God’s purposes for the entire community. In the New Testament, Jude warns of those who follow in “Korah’s rebellion,” linking such rebellious attitudes to spiritual ruin (Jude v.11).
Their rejection of Moses’ summons reveals that a refusal to heed God-established leadership leads to devastating consequences, both for the individuals and those who follow them. In a broader biblical theme, open rebellion against God-given authority foreshadows judgment and loss of blessing (Numbers 16:31-35). True devotion to God is measured not only by profession but by obedience and respect toward the leaders He appoints, a principle that ultimately points to loving and obeying Christ—the supreme authority for believers (Matthew 28:18).
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Numbers 16:12 meaning
In Numbers 16:12, we read: “Then Moses sent a summons to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; but they said, ‘We will not come up.’” (v.12) Dathan and Abiram, from the tribe of Reuben, positioned themselves against Moses’ leadership in the wilderness, sometime after Israel’s exodus from Egypt (circa 1446 BC). Their refusal to answer Moses’ call took place as part of a larger rebellion that included Korah, illustrating a direct challenge to the covenant order established by God. By defiantly stating “We will not come up,” they implicitly rejected the divine authority invested in Moses, who was God’s appointed prophet and leader of Israel at that time.
Moses, born around 1526 BC, served as the mediator of God’s covenant with Israel and had led the people out of slavery in Egypt. Here, as he sent a summons to Dathan and Abiram, he extended an invitation for dialogue or possibly reconciliation. Instead, Dathan and Abiram’s reaction underscored their hardheartedness. Later in Deuteronomy, we see this rebellion referenced again, reminding Israel of “what He [the Lord] did to Dathan and Abiram,” when they and others challenged Moses (Deuteronomy 11:1-7). Their rebellion ultimately set them in opposition to God’s purposes for the entire community. In the New Testament, Jude warns of those who follow in “Korah’s rebellion,” linking such rebellious attitudes to spiritual ruin (Jude v.11).
Their rejection of Moses’ summons reveals that a refusal to heed God-established leadership leads to devastating consequences, both for the individuals and those who follow them. In a broader biblical theme, open rebellion against God-given authority foreshadows judgment and loss of blessing (Numbers 16:31-35). True devotion to God is measured not only by profession but by obedience and respect toward the leaders He appoints, a principle that ultimately points to loving and obeying Christ—the supreme authority for believers (Matthew 28:18).