When Moses heard it, he fell on his face: For he fell on his face, see the comments on 14.5. Good News Translation says “he threw himself on the ground,” which is an adequate expression of Moses’ act of awe-filled submission before the LORD. His reaction was emotional and immediate. As in 14.5, it may be necessary to clarify the symbolic meaning of this action by saying “he threw himself on the ground in alarm” or “he threw himself on the ground in despair” (Bijbel in Gewone Taal; also mentioned by Rashi). Translators should not give the impression here that Moses took time to pray, as Good News Translation does. That is not the symbolic meaning of the Hebrew expression here. Furthermore, the impression should not be given that Moses’ reaction was due to his fear of Korah and his followers.

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .