Numbers 16:40

[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.

To be a memorial {H2146} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, that {H834}{H4616} no stranger {H376}{H2114}, which is not of the seed {H2233} of Aaron {H175}, come near {H7126} to offer {H6999} incense {H7004} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}; that he be not as Korah {H7141}, and as his company {H5712}: as the LORD {H3068} said {H1696} to him by the hand {H3027} of Moses {H4872}.

to remind the people of Isra'el that an ordinary person, not descended from Aharon, is not to approach and burn incense before ADONAI, if he wants to avoid the fate of Korach and his group - as ADONAI had said to him through Moshe.

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.

to be a memorial unto the children of Israel, to the end that no stranger, that is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to burn incense before Jehovah; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as Jehovah spake unto him by Moses.

Commentary

Context of Numbers 16:40

Numbers 16:40 concludes the dramatic narrative of Korah's rebellion against the divinely appointed leadership of Moses and the priesthood of Aaron. Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 prominent men, challenged God's established order, claiming that all the congregation was holy and therefore had the right to approach God directly in priestly functions. The Lord's swift and severe judgment followed: the earth swallowed Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and their families, while fire consumed the 250 men who offered unauthorized incense (Numbers 16:35). Verse 40 specifies the purpose of the bronze plates made from the censers of these 250 rebellious men: they were to serve as a perpetual warning, a "memorial unto the children of Israel," emphasizing the exclusive nature of the Aaronic priesthood.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority and Exclusive Priesthood: This verse powerfully reinforces that God alone appoints those who serve Him in sacred capacities. The right to offer incense, a symbolic act of prayer and worship, was strictly reserved for Aaron and his descendants. Any deviation was a direct affront to God's authority.
  • Holiness and Separation: God is holy, and those who approach Him must do so on His terms. The incident underscores the principle that there is a sacred distinction between the common and the holy, and between those God has set apart for specific service and the general populace.
  • Consequences of Presumption: The severe judgment on Korah and his company serves as a stark warning against unauthorized service and challenging God's established order. Presumption in spiritual matters carries grave consequences.
  • A Perpetual Memorial: The bronze plates on the altar were not merely a historical artifact but a living reminder for future generations, designed to prevent similar transgressions and ensure the sanctity of the sanctuary service.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron" uses the Hebrew word zar (Χ–Χ¨). While zar can mean "foreigner," in this sacred context, it specifically refers to someone who is "unauthorized," "profane," or "not of the priestly line." It emphasizes that the issue was not nationality but divine appointment and lineage for priestly duties. This concept of unauthorized approach is also seen in the tragic account of Nadab and Abihu offering "strange fire" (Leviticus 10:1-2).

Practical Application

While the specific Aaronic priesthood has been fulfilled and superseded by the perfect High Priesthood of Christ (Hebrews 4:14), the principles of Numbers 16:40 remain highly relevant:

  • Respect for God-Given Authority: We are called to respect the spiritual authority and leadership God has established within the church, understanding that it is for order and edification.
  • Reverence in Worship: This verse reminds us that approaching God is a serious matter requiring reverence and humility. While believers in Christ are now a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9) with direct access to God through Christ, this access is granted by grace, not by human presumption or defiance of divine order.
  • Holiness in Service: Those who serve in ministry today should do so with a deep sense of calling, humility, and adherence to biblical principles, recognizing the seriousness of handling sacred things. The memorial of Korah stands as a timeless warning against pride and unauthorized service.
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Cross-References

  • Numbers 3:10

    And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

  • Numbers 18:4

    And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.

  • Numbers 18:7

    Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office [unto you] as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:16

    ΒΆ But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to [his] destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:21

    And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, [being] a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son [was] over the king's house, judging the people of the land.

  • Leviticus 22:10

    ΒΆ There shall no stranger eat [of] the holy thing: a sojourner of the priest, or an hired servant, shall not eat [of] the holy thing.

  • Numbers 3:38

    But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, [even] before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, [shall be] Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.