The Meaning of Numbers 16:2 Explained

Numbers 16:2

KJV: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:

YLT: and they rise up before Moses, with men of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty, princes of the company, called of the convention, men of name,

Darby: and they rose up against Moses, with two hundred and fifty men of the children of Israel, princes of the assembly, summoned to the council, men of renown;

ASV: and they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the congregation, called to the assembly, men of renown;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And they rose up  before  Moses,  with certain  of the children  of Israel,  two hundred  and fifty  princes  of the assembly,  famous  in the congregation,  men  of renown: 

What does Numbers 16:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 16:1-19 - The Rebellion Of Koran
This was a very serious revolt, because so many princes associated themselves with the Levites. Jealousy was at the root of the entire movement. "All the congregation are holy," they said. "Wherefore lift ye up yourselves?" There is no root of bitterness that needs such careful watching as jealousy! If it is in your heart you must, like Samuel of old and General Gordon in our own times, "hew Agag in pieces before the Lord."
The record of Moses' meekness precedes this story of his testing. Whatever is strongest and best in us will be searched as by fire. Even Moses was ruffled by these gross charges. See Numbers 16:15. The best of men are but men at the best. Only Jesus was without a flaw.
What a beautiful thought is expressed in Numbers 16:5; Numbers 16:7; Numbers 16:9. There are holy and blessed souls who have an especial right of access into God's presence-chamber. See Zechariah 3:7. [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 16

1  The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram
23  Moses separates the people from the rebels' tents
31  The earth swallows up Korah, and a fire consumes others
36  The censers are reserved to holy use
41  14,700 are slain by a plague, for murmuring against Moses and Aaron
46  Aaron by incense stays the plague

What do the individual words in Numbers 16:2 mean?

and they rose up before Moses and with some of the sons of Israel fifty and two hundred leaders of the congregation representatives of the congregation men of renown
וַיָּקֻ֙מוּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַאֲנָשִׁ֥ים מִבְּנֵֽי־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים וּמָאתָ֑יִם נְשִׂיאֵ֥י עֵדָ֛ה קְרִאֵ֥י מוֹעֵ֖ד אַנְשֵׁי־ שֵֽׁם

וַיָּקֻ֙מוּ֙  and  they  rose  up 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: קוּם 
Sense: to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up.
לִפְנֵ֣י  before 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, common plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
מֹשֶׁ֔ה  Moses 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹשֶׁה  
Sense: the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus.
וַאֲנָשִׁ֥ים  and  with  some 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱנׄושׁ 
Sense: man, mortal man, person, mankind.
מִבְּנֵֽי־  of  the  sons 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל  of  Israel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל  
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.
חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים  fifty 
Parse: Number, common plural
Root: חֲמִשִּׁים 
Sense: fifty.
וּמָאתָ֑יִם  and  two  hundred 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Number, fd
Root: מֵאָה 
Sense: hundred.
נְשִׂיאֵ֥י  leaders 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: נָשִׂיא 
Sense: one lifted up, chief, prince, captain, leader.
עֵדָ֛ה  of  the  congregation 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: עֵדָה  
Sense: congregation, gathering.
קְרִאֵ֥י  representatives 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural construct
Root: קָרִיא  
Sense: called, summoned, called one.
מוֹעֵ֖ד  of  the  congregation 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹועֵד  
Sense: appointed place, appointed time, meeting.
אַנְשֵׁי־  men 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: אֱנׄושׁ 
Sense: man, mortal man, person, mankind.
שֵֽׁם  of  renown 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שֵׁם  
Sense: name.