New International VersionThen Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not accept their offering. I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, nor have I wronged any of them.”
New Living TranslationThen Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not accept their grain offerings! I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, and I have never hurt a single one of them.”
English Standard VersionAnd Moses was very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, and I have not harmed one of them.”
Berean Standard BibleThen Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”
King James BibleAnd 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.
New King James VersionThen Moses was very angry, and said to the LORD, “Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I hurt one of them.”
New American Standard BibleThen Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Pay no attention to their offering! I have not taken a single donkey from them, nor have I done harm to any of them.”
NASB 1995Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering! I have not taken a single donkey from them, nor have I done harm to any of them.”
NASB 1977Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering! I have not taken a single donkey from them, nor have I done harm to any of them.”
Legacy Standard BibleThen Moses became very angry and said to Yahweh, “Do not regard their offering! I have not taken a single donkey from them, nor have I done harm to any of them.”
Amplified BibleThen Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Pay no attention to their offering! I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I harmed any one of them.”
Christian Standard BibleThen Moses became angry and said to the LORD, “Don’t respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen Moses became angry and said to the LORD, “Don’t respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”
American Standard VersionAnd Moses was very wroth, and said unto Jehovah, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
Contemporary English VersionMoses was very angry and said to the LORD, "Don't listen to these men! I haven't done anything wrong to them. I haven't taken as much as a donkey."
English Revised VersionAnd 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.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationMoses became angry and said to the LORD, "Don't accept their offering. I haven't taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I haven't mistreated any of them."
Good News TranslationMoses became angry and said to the LORD, "Do not accept any offerings these men bring. I have not wronged any of them; I have not even taken one of their donkeys."
International Standard VersionMoses was very angry, so he told the LORD, "Please don't accept their offering. I haven't taken even one donkey from them nor have I hurt even one of them."
NET BibleMoses was very angry, and he said to the LORD, "Have no respect for their offering! I have not taken so much as one donkey from them, nor have I harmed any one of them!"
New Heart English BibleMoses was very angry, and said to the LORD, "Do not respect their offering: I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt one of them."
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Moses was very wroth, and said to the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”
World English BibleMoses was very angry, and said to Yahweh, “Don’t respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt one of them.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it is very displeasing to Moses, and he says to YHWH, “Do not turn to their present; I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I afflicted one of them.”
Young's Literal Translation And it is very displeasing to Moses, and he saith unto Jehovah, 'Turn not Thou unto their present; not one ass from them have I taken, nor have I afflicted one of them.'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd it will be kindled to Moses greatly, and he will say to Jehovah, Thou wilt not turn to their gift: not one ass did I take from them, and I did not evil to one of them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleMoses therefore being very angry, raid to the Lord: Respect not their sacrifices: thou knowest that I have not taken of them so much as a young ass at any time, nor have injured any of them.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd Moses, being very angry, said to the Lord: “Do not look with favor on their sacrifices. You know that I have not accepted from them, at any time, so much as a young donkey, nor have I afflicted any of them.”
New American BibleThen Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Pay no attention to their offering. I have never taken a single donkey from them, nor have I wronged any one of them.”
New Revised Standard VersionMoses was very angry and said to the LORD, “Pay no attention to their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, and I have not harmed any one of them.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Moses was greatly displeased, and said to the LORD, Respect not thou their offerings, because I have not taken an ass from one of them, neither have I hurt one of them.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd it was very evil to Moshe and he said to LORD JEHOVAH, “Do not be changed by their offerings, because I have not taken a donkey of one of them, neither have I done evil to one of them.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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.'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Moses was exceeding indignant, and said to the Lord, Do thou take no heed to their sacrifice: I have not taken away the desire of any one of them, neither have I hurt any one of them.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Korah's Rebellion… 14Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? No, we will not come!” 15Then Mosesbecame veryangryand saidtothe LORD,“Do notregardtheir offering.I have nottakenonedonkeyfrom themor mistreateda singleone of them.”16And Moses said to Korah, “You and all your followers are to appear before the LORD tomorrow—you and they and Aaron.…
Cross References Exodus 32:19-20As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, he burned with anger and threw the tablets out of his hands, shattering them at the base of the mountain. / Then he took the calf they had made, burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, and scattered the powder over the face of the water. Then he forced the Israelites to drink it.
1 Samuel 12:3-5Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” / “You have not cheated us or oppressed us,” they replied, “nor have you taken anything from the hand of man.” / Samuel said to them, “The LORD is a witness against you, and His anointed is a witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is a witness,” they replied.
1 Kings 18:36-40At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. ...
2 Kings 1:9-12Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” / Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” ...
Nehemiah 5:14-19Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah, from his twentieth year until his thirty-second year (twelve years total), neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. / The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people. But I did not do this, because of my fear of God. / Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall, and all my servants were gathered there for the work; we did not acquire any land. ...
Psalm 7:3-5O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands, / if I have rewarded my ally with evil, if I have plundered my foe without cause, / then may my enemy pursue me and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah
Psalm 26:1-2Of David. Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. / Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.
Psalm 35:11-14Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about. / They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul. / Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered. ...
Psalm 69:4Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.
Jeremiah 18:19-23Attend to me, O LORD. Hear what my accusers are saying! / Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak good on their behalf, to turn Your wrath from them. / Therefore, hand their children over to famine; pour out the power of the sword upon them. Let their wives become childless and widowed; let their husbands be slain by disease, their young men struck down by the sword in battle. ...
Matthew 5:11-12Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.
Matthew 10:14-15And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. / Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Matthew 23:29-36Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. / And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ / So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets. ...
Mark 3:5Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored.
Luke 9:54-56When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” / But Jesus turned and rebuked them. / And He and His disciples went on to another village.
Treasury of Scripture And Moses was very wroth, and said to the LORD, Respect not you their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them. very wroth Numbers 12:3 (Now the man Moseswas very meek, above all the men whichwere upon the face of the earth.) Exodus 32:19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. respect Numbers 16:6,7 This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; … Genesis 4:4,5 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: … Isaiah 1:10-15 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah… I have not. 1 Samuel 12:3,4 Behold, here Iam: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I receivedany bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you… Acts 20:33,34 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel… 1 Corinthians 9:15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: forit were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. Jump to Previous AcceptAngryAssAssesAttentionDispleasingDonkeyHarmHarmedHurtOfferingRegardRespectSingleTurnWrongWrongedWrothJump to Next AcceptAngryAssAssesAttentionDispleasingDonkeyHarmHarmedHurtOfferingRegardRespectSingleTurnWrongWrongedWrothNumbers 16 1.The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram23.Moses separates the people from the rebels' tents31.The earth swallows up Korah, and a fire consumes others36.The censers are reserved to holy use41.14,700 are slain by a plague, for murmuring against Moses and Aaron46.Aaron by incense stays the plagueThen Moses became very angryMoses' anger here is significant as it reflects righteous indignation rather than personal vendetta. In the biblical context, anger is often seen as a response to injustice or rebellion against God. Moses, as a leader chosen by God, is reacting to the rebellion of Korah and his followers, who challenge his God-given authority. This anger aligns with other instances in Scripture where leaders express anger in defense of God's honor, such as Jesus cleansing the temple ( John 2:13-17). and said to the LORD
Moses' immediate response is to turn to God in prayer, demonstrating his reliance on divine guidance and justice. This reflects a pattern seen throughout Moses' leadership, where he consistently seeks God's counsel in times of crisis. It underscores the importance of prayer and communication with God, especially when facing opposition or conflict. “Do not regard their offering.
Moses requests that God not accept the offerings of the rebellious group. In the cultural and religious context of ancient Israel, offerings were a means of seeking favor or forgiveness from God. By asking God to disregard their offerings, Moses is essentially asking God to reject their attempt to legitimize their rebellion. This highlights the principle that God values obedience and a right heart over ritualistic offerings (1 Samuel 15:22). I have not taken one donkey from them
Moses defends his integrity by stating he has not taken anything from the people, not even a donkey, which was a valuable asset in that time. This assertion of honesty and fairness is crucial in establishing his credibility as a leader. It echoes Samuel's similar defense of his integrity in1 Samuel 12:3-5, emphasizing the importance of leaders being above reproach. or mistreated a single one of them.”
Moses further asserts that he has not wronged any of the people, highlighting his just and fair treatment of them. This is important in the context of the accusations against him, as it demonstrates that the rebellion is unfounded. It also reflects the biblical principle that leaders should be shepherds who care for their flock, as seen in the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-14). Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this verse, Moses is expressing his righteous anger and integrity in response to the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 2. The LORDThe God of Israel, who Moses addresses in his plea. The LORD is the ultimate judge and authority over the situation. 3. Korah, Dathan, and AbiramLeaders of a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their God-given authority. This rebellion is the context for Moses' plea to God. 4. The IsraelitesThe people of God, who are witnessing the events and are affected by the rebellion and its consequences. 5. The WildernessThe setting of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, where this rebellion takes place. Teaching Points Righteous AngerMoses' anger is not sinful but a response to rebellion against God's order. Believers can learn to distinguish between righteous and unrighteous anger. Integrity in LeadershipMoses' declaration of innocence underscores the importance of integrity for leaders. Christian leaders should strive to lead with honesty and transparency. God's JusticeMoses appeals to God's justice, reminding us that God is the ultimate judge. We can trust Him to handle injustices in His timing and way. Intercession and AdvocacyWhile Moses often interceded for the people, here he advocates for justice. Believers are called to both intercede for others and stand for truth. Trust in God's SovereigntyDespite opposition, Moses trusts God to vindicate him. Christians are encouraged to rely on God's sovereignty in the face of challenges. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Numbers 16:15?
2.How does Moses' response in Numbers 16:15 demonstrate righteous anger against rebellion?
3.What can we learn from Moses' prayerful reaction to accusations in Numbers 16:15?
4.How does Numbers 16:15 connect with Jesus' teachings on handling false accusations?
5.How should we respond to unjust criticism, following Moses' example in Numbers 16:15?
6.What role does prayer play in addressing conflict, as seen in Numbers 16:15?
7.Why did Moses become so angry in Numbers 16:15?
8.How does Numbers 16:15 reflect on Moses' leadership qualities?
9.What does Moses' reaction in Numbers 16:15 reveal about human emotions in spiritual leaders?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 16?
11.Numbers 14:18 insists that God is slow to anger yet punishes sin; how can this be consistent with the immediate, severe judgment in the same chapter?
12.Why does God kill Uzzah instantly for touching the Ark to prevent it from falling (2 Samuel 6:7)?
13.Why does God's response in Numbers 16:44-45 seem inconsistent with His mercy in other parts of the Bible?
14.Who were the believers in the Old Testament?What Does Numbers 16:15 Mean Moses became very angry- Moses’ anger is righteous, not impulsive. He is indignant that God’s appointed order is being challenged by Korah and his followers (Numbers 16:1–14). - Similar moments: “So Moses’ anger burned” when Israel worshiped the calf (Exodus 32:19). Jesus “looked around at them in anger, grieved by their hardness of heart” (Mark 3:5). - Scripture allows righteous anger that defends God’s honor: “Be angry, yet do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26).
and said to the LORD- Moses brings his frustration to God first, modeling humble dependence. - David does the same: “I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy” (Psalm 142:1). - God invites such honest prayer: “Call to Me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3).
“Do not regard their offering- Moses asks God to reject the rebels’ incense, because their hearts are rebellious. - The LORD likewise rejected Cain’s offering (Genesis 4:4-5) and said, “The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD” (Proverbs 15:8). - Obedience matters more than ritual: “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).
I have not taken one donkey from them- Moses’ conscience is clear; he has not exploited the people. - Samuel uses almost identical words when defending his leadership: “Whose donkey have I taken?” (1 Samuel 12:3). - Paul echoes the principle: “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothing” (Acts 20:33-34).
or mistreated a single one of them.- Moses maintained integrity and compassion, contrasting the false shepherds condemned inEzekiel 34:3. - Spiritual leaders are called to “shepherd God’s flock… not lording it over those entrusted to you” (1 Peter 5:2-3). - Moses’ blameless conduct undercuts Korah’s accusations and affirms that the rebellion is against the LORD, not merely against a man.
summaryNumbers 16:15 shows Moses reacting with righteous anger to a direct challenge against God’s ordained leadership. He appeals to the LORD, asks Him to reject the rebels’ illegitimate worship, and testifies to his own integrity—he has neither exploited nor harmed the people. The verse underscores that God values obedient hearts and blameless leadership over empty ritual, and it encourages believers to bring every conflict to the Lord, trusting Him to vindicate faithful service. (15) I have not taken one ass from them . . . --In answer to the accusation preferred against him in Numbers 16:13, Moses vindicates himself from the charge of oppression or extortion. Verse 15. - And Moses was very wroth. The bitter taunts of the Reubenites had just enough semblance of truth in them to make them very hard to bear, and especially the imputation of low personal ambition; but it is impossible to say that Moses did not err through anger. Respect not thou their offering. Cf. Genesis 4:4. It is not quite clear what offering Moses meant, since they do not seem to have wished to offer incense. Probably it was equivalent to saying, Do not thou accept them when they approach thee; for such approach was always by sacrifice (cf. Psalm 109:7). I have not taken one ass from them. Cf. 1 Samuel 12:3. The ass was the least valuable of the ordinary live stock of those days (cf. Exodus 20:17). The Septuagint has here οὐκ ἐπιθύμημα οὐδενὸς αὐτῶνεἴληφα, which is apparently an intentional paraphrase with a reference to the tenth commandment ( οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις κ.τ.λ.). Neither have I hurt one of them. As absolute ruler he might have made himself very burdensome to all, and very terrible to his personal enemies. Compare Samuel's description of the Eastern autocrat ( 1 Samuel 8:11-17).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then Mosesלְמֹשֶׁה֙(lə·mō·šeh)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiverbecame veryמְאֹ֔ד(mə·’ōḏ)Adverb
Strong's 3966:Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedilyangryוַיִּ֤חַר(way·yi·ḥar)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2734:To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousyand saidוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, saytoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tothe LORD,יְהוָ֔ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel“Do notאַל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Notregardתֵּ֖פֶן(tê·p̄en)Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6437:To turn, to face, appear, looktheir offering.מִנְחָתָ֑ם(min·ḥā·ṯām)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4503:A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offeringI have notלֹ֠א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, notakenנָשָׂ֔אתִי(nā·śā·ṯî)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5375:To lift, carry, takeoneאֶחָ֤ד(’e·ḥāḏ)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259:United, one, firstdonkeyחֲמ֨וֹר(ḥă·mō·wr)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2543:A male assfrom themמֵהֶם֙(mê·hem)Preposition-m | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992:Theyor mistreatedהֲרֵעֹ֖תִי(hă·rê·‘ō·ṯî)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7489:To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bada singleאַחַ֥ד(’a·ḥaḏ)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259:United, one, firstone of them.”מֵהֶֽם׃(mê·hem)Preposition-m | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992:They
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OT Law: Numbers 16:15 Moses was very angry and said (Nu Num.) |
