Numbers 16:17

KJV

And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each [of you] his censer.

KJV (with Strong's)

And take {H3947} every man {H376} his censer {H4289}, and put {H5414} incense {H7004} in them, and bring {H7126} ye before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} every man {H376} his censer {H4289}, two hundred {H3967} and fifty {H2572} censers {H4289}; thou also, and Aaron {H175}, each {H376} of you his censer {H4289}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Each of you take his fire pan and put incense in it; every one of you, bring before ADONAI his fire pan, 250 fire pans, you too, and Aharon - each one his fire pan."

Berean Standard Bible

Each man is to take his censer, place incense in it, and present it before the LORD—250 censers. You and Aaron are to present your censers as well.”

American Standard Version

and take ye every man his censer, and put incense upon them, and bring ye before Jehovah every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each his censer.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 16:17 stands as the pivotal command in the unfolding drama of Korah's rebellion, where Moses, acting under divine instruction, orchestrates a definitive test to reveal God's true chosen leadership. This verse specifically directs Korah, his 250 rebellious followers, and also Moses and Aaron, to present censers filled with incense before the LORD. This ritual act, ordinarily reserved exclusively for the consecrated Aaronic priesthood, serves as a direct, tangible challenge to the rebels' audacious claims of equal access and authority, thereby setting the stage for God's dramatic and irrefutable intervention to affirm His divinely appointed servants and uphold the sanctity of His holy offices.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 16:17 is strategically positioned at the critical juncture of Korah’s rebellion, immediately following Moses’ divinely inspired challenge to the rebellious faction. The preceding verses meticulously detail the audacious claims of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who boldly questioned Moses and Aaron’s divinely appointed authority, asserting, "all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?" [Numbers 16:3](/numbers/16-3 "Numbers 16:3 - Korah's Accusation"). In response, a deeply distressed Moses prostrates himself before God, then proposes a decisive test involving censers and the offering of incense—an act strictly reserved for the consecrated priests. This verse, therefore, constitutes the precise divine instruction for this impending ordeal, elevating the confrontation from mere verbal accusation to a tangible, ritualistic demonstration designed to reveal who truly possesses God's authorization. The verses that immediately follow graphically portray God's swift, terrifying, and unequivocal judgment upon the rebels, thereby confirming the inviolable sanctity of the Aaronic priesthood and Moses' divinely ordained leadership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Within ancient Israel, the Tabernacle cult was meticulously ordered by divine command, with highly specific roles, responsibilities, and rituals assigned to the Levites, and even more narrowly, to the Aaronic priesthood. The offering of incense, in particular, was a profoundly sacred act, performed daily by the high priest on the altar of incense [Exodus 30:7-8](/exodus/30-7 "Exodus 30:7-8 - The Altar of Incense"). This ritual was not merely ceremonial; it symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God and powerfully underscored the priest's unique mediatorial role. For unauthorized individuals, even fellow Levites like Korah, to attempt this ritual was regarded not merely as a breach of protocol but as a profound act of sacrilege and a blatant usurpation of a divinely ordained office. The harsh, often chaotic, wilderness setting further amplified the critical need for clear divine authority and established order, as the nascent Israelite nation struggled to define its identity and solidify its relationship with its holy God. The challenge posed by Korah was thus a direct and dangerous assault on the very theological and social structure of the Israelite community and its divinely prescribed system of worship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching and foundational themes within the Book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the theme of **Divine Authority and Appointment**, highlighting that leadership, especially in spiritual and religious matters, is not a matter of human choice, self-appointment, or democratic consensus, but is solely and exclusively divinely ordained. Korah's rebellion stands as a direct and audacious challenge to God's sovereign choice of Moses and Aaron. Secondly, the passage vividly illustrates the **Sacredness and Exclusivity of the Priesthood**. The act of offering incense was a potent and visible symbol of the unique access and mediatorial role granted solely to the Aaronic priests; its attempted performance by unauthorized individuals was an egregious affront to God's holiness and His established order. This theme is further reinforced by the severe and immediate consequences that follow in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion - Divine Judgment"). Thirdly, the passage powerfully showcases **Divine Testing and Revelation**. Moses proposes the test not out of a desire for personal vindication, but specifically to allow the LORD Himself to unequivocally reveal "who is holy" [Numbers 16:5](/numbers/16-5 "Numbers 16:5 - Moses' Challenge to Korah"). The censers, therefore, become instruments of divine discernment, exposing the true nature of the rebellion and God's unwavering commitment to His established and sacred order.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Censer (Hebrew, _machtâh'_):** This term refers to a portable firepan, typically crafted from bronze, used for transporting live coals from the altar and for burning incense. Within the meticulously ordered context of the Tabernacle, censers were sacred vessels, strictly reserved for the priests for specific ritual functions, particularly the offering of incense before the LORD. Their use by Korah's company was a direct, audacious, and presumptuous claim to priestly rights and direct access to God, constituting a profound act of sacrilege and usurpation.
* **Incense (Hebrew, _qᵉṭôreth'_):** This refers to a specially compounded, fragrant mixture of aromatic spices, whose precise recipe was divinely prescribed in [Exodus 30:34-38](/exodus/30-34-38 "Exodus 30:34-38 - The Holy Anointing Oil and Incense"). Its use was strictly restricted to the Tabernacle cult. When burned on the altar of incense, it produced a fragrant smoke that ascended to God, symbolizing prayer, acceptable worship, and the very presence of the divine. The unauthorized offering of incense was considered a grave offense, as tragically demonstrated by the judgment upon Nadab and Abihu in [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unholy Fire").
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenant name of God (YHWH), emphasizing His personal, relational, self-existent, and unchanging nature. The command to bring the censers "before the LORD" profoundly underscores that the challenge posed by Korah and his company was not merely against Moses and Aaron, but directly against God Himself and His divinely established order and authority. It was God's honor, holiness, and sovereign authority that were being directly tested and would ultimately be vindicated through the ensuing events.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And take every man his censer,"**: This initial command is explicitly directed at Korah and his 250 followers, instructing each of them to prepare a censer. This immediately establishes the nature of the impending test: a direct, physical act of worship normally and exclusively reserved for the consecrated priesthood, which the rebels were now audaciously and presumptuously undertaking.
* **"and put incense in them,"**: The specific ritual element, incense, is highlighted as central to the test. This is critically important because the burning of incense was a highly sacred and strictly restricted priestly function, making the rebels' participation in this act a clear, undeniable, and direct usurpation of the divinely appointed priestly duties and privileges.
* **"and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers;"**: This clause emphasizes both the public and collective nature of the challenge. The sheer number of censers—250—dramatically illustrates the widespread nature of the rebellion and the immense scale of the affront to God's authority and holiness. The crucial phrase "before the LORD" signifies that the ultimate arbitration and judgment of this dispute would come directly from God's holy presence.
* **"thou also, and Aaron, each [of you] his censer."**: This final segment of the verse includes Moses and Aaron in the test, though their participation is not to prove their own holiness or authority, but rather to stand as the legitimate and divinely appointed priests in stark contrast to the illegitimate claimants. Their presence allows God to visibly and unequivocally distinguish between His chosen servants and those who presumed to usurp His sacred offices.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 16:17 employs several potent literary devices that profoundly enhance its dramatic tension and theological impact. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the censers and incense themselves are deeply resonant symbols. The censer represents the very vehicle of priestly mediation and authorized access to God, while the incense symbolizes acceptable prayer, worship, and the ascending presence of the divine. By commanding the rebels to use these highly sacred items, Moses masterfully sets up a symbolic confrontation over the very essence and exclusivity of the priesthood. There is also a powerful element of **Dramatic Irony** at play: Korah and his company genuinely believe they are asserting their rightful claim to approach God and share in priestly honor, but their very act of bringing the censers becomes the precise means of their swift and terrifying judgment and destruction, thereby unequivocally revealing their unholiness rather than their claimed holiness. The entire scenario functions as a **Divine Test** or ordeal, where the outcome is not determined by human argument, political maneuvering, or physical strength, but solely by God's direct, supernatural, and undeniable intervention, serving to unequivocally establish His chosen authority and the inviolable sanctity of His divine commands.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 16:17 profoundly illustrates the solemnity of God's divinely appointed order and the severe, often terrifying, consequences of encroaching upon sacred offices and functions not divinely granted. It underscores the fundamental truth that access to God and service in His holy presence are not matters of human right, democratic choice, or self-assertion, but rather sacred privileges granted solely by divine election and meticulously sustained by faithful obedience. The rebellion of Korah, culminating in this dramatic test, serves as a stark and enduring warning against spiritual presumption, reminding all generations that God's absolute holiness demands profound reverence and unwavering adherence to His established ways, particularly concerning worship, sacred rituals, and leadership within His covenant community. This episode powerfully reinforces the theological principle that God is utterly sovereign in His choices, and challenging His appointed servants is, in essence, tantamount to challenging God Himself directly. The sanctity and exclusivity of the Aaronic priesthood, as a divinely instituted means of mediation between a holy God and sinful humanity, are powerfully affirmed through the dramatic and decisive events that immediately follow this command.

* [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unholy Fire")
* [Hebrews 5:4](/hebrews/5-4 "Hebrews 5:4 - No One Takes This Honor Upon Himself")
* [2 Chronicles 26:16-21](/2_chronicles/26-16-21 "2 Chronicles 26:16-21 - Uzziah's Presumption and Leprosy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 16:17, while deeply rooted in the unique historical and cultural context of the Old Testament Aaronic priesthood, offers timeless and profound principles for contemporary believers across all ages. It calls us to cultivate a deep and abiding respect for God's divine order, whether that order manifests in the structures of the church, in societal roles, or within the intimate sphere of our personal lives. The grave dangers of spiritual arrogance, self-promotion, and the rebellious challenging of legitimate authority—especially when that authority is perceived as divinely appointed—are vividly and tragically portrayed. While the specific Aaronic priesthood no longer functions in the same way under the New Covenant, the overarching principle remains eternally relevant: God establishes structures, calls individuals to specific roles, and ordains particular methods for the good of His people and the advancement of His kingdom. Our access to God is never by our own merit, presumption, or self-will, but solely by His boundless grace, perfectly mediated through the person and work of Jesus Christ. This passage challenges each of us to humbly examine our hearts for any subtle or overt trace of Korah's rebellious spirit—a hidden desire for honor not divinely given, a questioning of God's wisdom in His appointments, or an impatience with His timing and methods. True humility, a hallmark of genuine faith, recognizes God's absolute sovereignty in all things, including whom He chooses to lead and how He chooses to be worshipped.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, subtly or overtly, challenge God's established order or authority in my life or within the community of faith?**
* **How does this passage deeply inform my understanding of the vital distinction between genuine humility and destructive spiritual ambition?**
* **What profound lessons does the severe judgment on Korah's rebellion teach me about the absolute holiness of God and the profound seriousness of sin, particularly the sin of presumption?**
* **How can I more effectively honor, respect, and actively support those whom God has clearly placed in positions of leadership, even when I may hold differing opinions or perspectives on their decisions?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of bringing censers with incense in this context?**

Answer: Bringing censers with incense was an act of immense significance because it constituted a ritual function exclusively reserved for the consecrated Aaronic priesthood. The incense offering, when burned on the altar of incense within the Tabernacle, symbolized the prayers of God's people ascending to Him and the very presence of divine worship. For Korah and his 250 followers, who were Levites but not of the priestly lineage of Aaron, to bring censers was a direct, audacious, and profoundly sacrilegious usurpation of the priestly office. It was a public and tangible claim to priestly rights and direct access to God, thereby challenging the divine appointment of Aaron and his sons. Moses proposed this test specifically to allow God Himself to visibly and unequivocally demonstrate whom He had chosen and to confirm the inviolable sanctity of the priesthood, as clearly articulated in [Numbers 16:5-7](/numbers/16-5-7 "Numbers 16:5-7 - Moses' Challenge and the Test").

**What happened to the censers after the judgment on Korah's company?**

Answer: After God's swift and terrifying judgment consumed Korah and his 250 followers, their bronze censers, which they had used in their act of rebellion, were not discarded as defiled objects but were divinely repurposed for a sacred and perpetual function. The LORD commanded Eleazar the priest to collect these censers, melt them down, and hammer them into thin plates to cover the altar of burnt offering [Numbers 16:36-40](/numbers/16-36-40 "Numbers 16:36-40 - The Censers as a Memorial"). This act served as a perpetual memorial and a solemn warning to all the Israelites 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" [Numbers 16:40](/numbers/16-40 "Numbers 16:40 - A Warning to Israel"). This repurposing powerfully reinforced the exclusivity of the Aaronic priesthood and the severe, unyielding consequences of violating God's divinely established and holy order.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 16:17, with its dramatic portrayal of unauthorized access to God and the inviolable sanctity of the priesthood, finds its ultimate and glorious Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. The Old Testament priesthood, with its exclusive rights to offer incense and mediate between a holy God and sinful humanity, served as a profound foreshadowing of the perfect, eternal, and all-sufficient priesthood of Jesus Christ. Unlike the rebellious company of Korah, who presumed to approach God through their own efforts and without divine authorization, Jesus is the divinely appointed High Priest, not of the Levitical order, but "after the order of Melchizedek" [Hebrews 5:6](/hebrews/5-6 "Hebrews 5:6 - Christ's Priesthood After the Order of Melchizedek"). His singular, perfect sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate and once-for-all offering for sin, not only taking away sin but also irrevocably opening the way to God for all who believe, not just a select few. Through Christ, we are now graciously invited to "draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" into the very presence of God, having "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus" [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Our Access Through Christ's Blood"). The profound danger of Korah's rebellion lay in unauthorized access; the immeasurable glory of the New Covenant is that Christ Himself has provided the divinely authorized and perfect access, making us, through Him, a "royal priesthood" [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood") who can now offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and worship directly to God through our great High Priest.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 12:7

Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.