Numbers 16:22 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moses and Aaron fall down and intercede, asking whether God will punish the entire assembly for one man's sin.
The Context of Numbers 16:22
Moses and Aaron interrupt the judgment process with an intercessory prayer.
What Does Numbers 16:22 Mean?
Rather than move to separate, Moses and Aaron immediately intercede. They appeal to God's justice: should the whole congregation be consumed for the rebellion led by Korah and a few others?
Their address—'God of the spirits of all flesh'—acknowledges God's knowledge of each person's heart and complicity. They implicitly ask God to distinguish between those truly guilty and those merely present.
Numbers 16:22 in the Original Language
רוּחַ (ruach, 'spirit') — the life-force or vital principle in each person; calling God the God of all spirits is an appeal to His knowledge of individual hearts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 16:22
What does Numbers 16:22 mean?
Moses and Aaron fall down and intercede, asking whether God will punish the entire assembly for one man's sin.
What is the context of Numbers 16:22?
Moses and Aaron interrupt the judgment process with an intercessory prayer.