Numbers 16:38

The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates [for] a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

The censers {H4289} of these sinners {H2400} against their own souls {H5315}, let them make {H6213} them broad {H7555} plates {H6341} for a covering {H6826} of the altar {H4196}: for they offered {H7126} them before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, therefore they are hallowed {H6942}: and they shall be a sign {H226} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}.

Also the fire pans of these men, whose sin cost them their lives, have become holy, because they were offered before ADONAI. Therefore, have them hammered into plates to cover the altar. This will be a sign for the people of Isra'el."

As for the censers of those who sinned at the cost of their own lives, hammer them into sheets to overlay the altar, for these were presented before the LORD, and so have become holy. They will serve as a sign to the Israelites.”

even the censers of these sinners against their own lives; and let them be made beaten plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before Jehovah; therefore they are holy; and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

Commentary

Numbers 16:38 details God's specific instruction to Moses regarding the bronze censers used by Korah and his 250 followers who illegally offered incense before the Lord. Despite their sin, these censers, having been presented to God, were deemed holy and commanded to be hammered into broad plates to cover the altar, serving as a perpetual warning to the Israelites.

Context

This verse follows the dramatic account of Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron's divinely appointed leadership. Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and 250 prominent men challenged the exclusive priesthood of Aaron, claiming all the congregation was holy. God's swift and terrifying judgment ensued: the earth swallowed Dathan and Abiram's households, and a fire from the LORD consumed Korah and the 250 men who were offering incense (Numbers 16:35). The instruction in verse 38 addresses the fate of the censers used by these rebellious men.

Key Themes

  • The Uncompromising Holiness of God: Even objects touched by rebellion and sin become "hallowed" (set apart, made holy) simply because they were brought into the Lord's presence. This underscores God's absolute purity and the sacredness of His sanctuary. Nothing offered to Him, even improperly, can be treated as common afterward.
  • Divine Judgment and Warning: The transformation of the censers into an altar covering served as a tangible, lasting "sign" (Hebrew: 'oth) to the children of Israel. It was a stark memorial of the consequences of challenging God's authority and His chosen priesthood. This permanent fixture on the altar would remind future generations of the severe penalty for unauthorized worship and rebellion against divine order.
  • Reinforcement of Priestly Authority: By commanding that only Aaron's descendants serve as priests (Numbers 18:7), God firmly established the Aaronic priesthood. The censers' fate symbolized that access to God's presence and sacred service was not open to all, but only to those He designated.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Hallowed": The Hebrew word used here is qadash, meaning "to be set apart," "to be consecrated," or "to be made holy." It's significant that God declares these censers holy, not because of the men who used them, but because they were "offered before the LORD." This highlights God's inherent holiness, which sanctifies even things brought into His sphere, regardless of the user's intent.
  • "Sign": The Hebrew term 'oth refers to a mark, token, or memorial. In this context, it functions as a perpetual warning and reminder, ensuring that the lesson of Korah's rebellion would not be forgotten.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today:

  • Reverence for God's Holiness: We are called to approach God with reverence and awe, understanding that He is holy and sets the terms for how we worship and serve Him.
  • Respect for Spiritual Authority: While the specific structure of the Aaronic priesthood is fulfilled in Christ, the principle of respecting God-given authority within the church remains relevant.
  • Learning from History: Just as the censers served as a physical reminder for Israel, the narratives of judgment in Scripture serve as warnings for us, urging us to avoid similar pitfalls of pride and rebellion. God can even use the failures of humanity to teach profound truths and establish lasting memorials for His people.
  • God's Sovereignty in Sanctification: God's holiness is so pervasive that it can sanctify objects simply by their proximity to Him, demonstrating His power to set apart and make holy, even in unexpected circumstances.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Rebellion of Korah Aaron: The First High Priest Moses' Intercession for Israel Moses: The Lawgiver and Leader of Israel

Cross-References

  • 2 Peter 2:6

    And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow, making [them] an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

  • Proverbs 20:2

    ¶ The fear of a king [is] as the roaring of a lion: [whoso] provoketh him to anger sinneth [against] his own soul.

  • Numbers 26:10

    And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.

  • Ezekiel 14:8

    And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • 1 Kings 2:23

    Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.

  • Numbers 17:10

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.

  • Habakkuk 2:10

    Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned [against] thy soul.
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