What Does Numbers 16:10 Mean in the King James?
And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The line separates being brought near from holding the priesthood: access is already present while a higher office is still being sought.
THE MEANING
This verse exposes a tension the reader can recognize now: nearness can already be given while the desire for a more distinguished place remains. It holds the question open: after being brought near, what else is still being sought? Here, access and office are distinct.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that being near only matters if it comes with the highest office.
THE ROOT
וַיַּקְרֵב
wayyaqrev
GROWS FROM
קרב
q-r-b
Come near, approach, or bring near.
The verb translated “brought near” shares its root with qorban, a drawing near. The same seed holds both the act of approaching and what is brought near, letting the verse’s nearness resonate with the very idea of priestly service.
ALSO GROWS
qarov: Near, close.
קָרוֹב
Nearness is a state of proximity in the same root family as the action that brings the Levites close.
qorban: A drawing near; an offering brought near.
קָרְבָּן
This branch links approach with priestly service, deepening the contrast between already being brought near and seeking the priesthood.
וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּם
uviqqashtem
GROWS FROM
בקש
b-q-sh
Seek, request, or ask for.
“seek” in this verse is uviqqashtem. The question does not describe a lack of nearness; it asks what is still being sought after that nearness has been given. This root lets the reader hear the continuing desire in the question.
ALSO GROWS
biqqesh: Sought or requested.
בִּקֵּשׁ
This verb names the pursuit in the verse: priesthood is something being sought beyond the nearness already granted.
baqqashah: Request or petition.
בַּקָּשָׁה
The request branch shows how seeking can take the form of asking for something further.
THE PATTERN
Scripture portrays nearness to God as an approach granted or opened, not a rank secured by desire.
And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.THE THREAD
And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.Numbers 16:5 uses the same קרב (q-r-b), meaning “approach” or “bring near,” when it says the LORD will cause the chosen one to come near. That echo sharpens the question in verse 10: being brought near is already named, while the priesthood is still being sought.
This reading is from Selah Verse.
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