Numbers 16:49Now those who died by the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides those who died about the matter of Korah.
The setting
Sinai Peninsula, ~1445 BC. The crisis is over. Moses records the death toll - nearly 15,000 people dead in one day from rebellion against God's authority.
The emotion here: heavy-hearted while documenting devastating loss of life
The original word
muth (מוּת) — to die, but also carries weight of consequences, of finality
Why it matters
14,700 deaths made this the deadliest single day in Israel's wilderness journey
Read with care
What most readers miss in Numbers 16:49
These weren't just numbers - these were people with families, dreams, children who would grow up without parents
Common misconceptionPeople think this is just about divine judgment, but Moses is recording real human loss - fathers, mothers, children. The numbers represent shattered families and a traumatized community.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Numbers 16:49
Bible Genome reading
Numbers 16:49 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Numbers 16:49 comes from the book of Numbers, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include consequences, mortality. Notable phrases: fourteen thousand and seven hundred died.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Numbers 16:49 mean to you, today?
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