Numbers 16:40

Translations

Modern

…just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.

Traditional

To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the Lord said to him by the hand of Moses.

Literal

…a memorial to the sons of Israel, so that a son of a foreigner who is not a descendant of Aaron should not come near to offer incense before the face of YHWH, that he might not become like Korah and his companions, as YHWH had said to him by the hand of Moses.

Latin

…ut haberent postea filii Israël, quibus commonerentur ne quis accedat alienigena, et qui non est de semine Aaron ad offerendum incensum Domino, ne patiatur sicut passus est Core, et omnis congregatio ejus, loquente Domino ad Moysen.

Original

Hebrew

English

…just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.

Notes

Numbers 16:38–40

Eleazar made a bronze sheet to cover the altar, replacing or adding to the earlier one (Exodus 38:2). Like the plain blue tassels in Numbers 15:37–41, it reminded the people of Israel to obey God.

Numbers 16:1–17:13

Another rebellion demanded a clear separation of duties between priests and Levites. This power struggle was more serious than previous rebellions against God's authority (chapter 11; 12:1–15; 14:1–45).

In these historical events, the rebels protested minor issues and questioned their leaders' actions. Yet, Moses reminded them that they were actually rebelling against God. As a result, the Israelites suffered deadly consequences for their rebellion.

Theme notes and profiles

Eleazar Moses Apostasy Remove the Evil Retribution The Dangers of Sin

Related verses

Numbers 3:10
So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.”
Numbers 18:4–7
They are to join you and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting, doing all the work at the Tent; but no outsider may come near you.
2 Chronicles 26:16–21
But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
Leviticus 22:10
No one outside a priest’s family may eat the sacred offering, nor may the guest of a priest or his hired hand eat it.
Exodus 30:7–10
And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps.
Numbers 1:51
Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever it is to be pitched, the Levites are to set it up. Any outsider who goes near it must be put to death.
1 Kings 13:1–3
Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD.
Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed for profit into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.
Numbers 3:38
Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, before the Tent of Meeting. They were to perform the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites; but any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Korah: Levite rebel leader; his descendants became temple servants Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Aaron Aaron’s Rod Courts and Trials Deuteronomy, Book of Incense Jude, Letter of Kadesh, Kadesh-Barnea Korah Numbers, Book of Wilderness Wanderings

Topics

Altar of Incense: A Cover Made For, of the Censers of Korah Incense: None but Priest to offer Incense: Uses of Israel: Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Priests: All Except Seed of Aaron Excluded from Being Sacrilege of Korah and his Group Token: Cover of the Altar

Numbers 16:40

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