Numbers 16:50

KJV

And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Aaron {H175} returned {H7725} unto Moses {H4872} unto the door {H6607} of the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}: and the plague {H4046} was stayed {H6113}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Aharon returned to Moshe at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and the plague was stopped.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, since the plague had been halted.

American Standard Version

And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tent of meeting: and the plague was stayed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 16:50 concludes a dramatic and tragic episode in Israel's wilderness journey, depicting the immediate cessation of a deadly plague in the Israelite camp. This pivotal moment underscores the profound power of God's immediate intervention, the efficacy of divinely ordained atonement, and the indispensable role of His appointed High Priest, Aaron, as a mediator between a holy God and a rebellious people. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the boundless reach of divine mercy when a path for reconciliation is provided.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 16:50 serves as the climactic resolution to the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, detailed earlier in the chapter. This rebellion was a direct challenge to the divinely instituted leadership of Moses and Aaron, resulting in spectacular divine judgment where the earth swallowed the families of Dathan and Abiram, and fire consumed 250 leaders who offered unauthorized incense ([Numbers 16:31-35](/numbers/16-31 "Numbers 16:31-35 - The Earth Swallows the Rebels")). Despite this clear demonstration of God's authority, the very next day, the entire congregation of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of killing the Lord's people ([Numbers 16:41](/numbers/16-41 "Numbers 16:41 - The People's Grumbling")). This fresh act of defiance provoked God's wrath, leading to a sudden, devastating plague. Moses, seeing the plague begin, immediately instructed Aaron to take a censer, put fire from the altar in it, and add incense to make atonement for the people ([Numbers 16:46](/numbers/16-46 "Numbers 16:46 - Moses Instructs Aaron")). Aaron, acting swiftly and obediently, ran into the midst of the congregation, literally standing between the living and the dead ([Numbers 16:47-48](/numbers/16-47 "Numbers 16:47-48 - Aaron's Intercession")). Verse 50 marks the moment his intercession was effective, bringing the plague to an immediate halt.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Numbers 16 unfold during Israel's forty-year wilderness wandering, a period characterized by frequent murmuring, rebellion, and divine judgment, interspersed with God's patient provision and mercy. The tabernacle, mentioned in this verse, was the central place of worship and God's dwelling among His people, signifying His presence and holiness. The Levitical priesthood, specifically the Aaronic line, was divinely appointed to mediate between God and Israel, offering sacrifices and performing atonement rituals. This context highlights the gravity of challenging God's chosen representatives, as it was tantamount to challenging God Himself. Plagues were understood as direct manifestations of divine judgment for sin, making their cessation a clear sign of God's intervention and the acceptance of atonement. The act of offering incense was a priestly function, symbolizing prayer and atonement, and its use here by Aaron was a divinely sanctioned act of intercession, contrasting sharply with the unauthorized incense offered by Korah's company.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. It vividly demonstrates **Divine Mercy and Intervention**, showing that even in the face of persistent rebellion, God provides a way for judgment to be averted. The immediate cessation of the plague highlights the direct and sovereign nature of God's action. It also underscores the **Power of Atonement and Intercession**, as Aaron's divinely commanded act of taking incense and standing between the living and the dead effectively turned away God's wrath, emphasizing the critical role of a mediator. This event profoundly foreshadows the ultimate atoning work of [Jesus Christ, who intercedes for believers](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession"). Furthermore, the plague and its cessation through Aaron's action served to further validate **God's Appointed Priesthood**, solidifying Aaron's unique role as High Priest, chosen by God to mediate between Him and the people, a theme reinforced throughout the book (e.g., [Numbers 17](/numbers/17 "Numbers 17 - Aaron's Budding Staff")). Finally, the tragic loss of 14,700 lives ([Numbers 16:49](/numbers/16-49 "Numbers 16:49 - Death Toll of the Plague")) stands as a stark reminder of the severe **Consequences of Rebellion** against God's authority and His chosen leaders.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **stayed (Hebrew, _'atsar'_ עָצַר):** This verb means to restrain, hold back, or shut up. In this context, it denotes an immediate, complete, and miraculous cessation of the plague. It implies a direct, powerful, and decisive act of divine intervention, not a gradual decline or natural end. The plague was not merely slowing down; it was decisively "shut up" by God in response to Aaron's obedience and intercession.
* **returned (Hebrew, _shuv'_ שׁוּב):** While seemingly simple, "returned" here signifies the successful completion of Aaron's mission. He had run into the midst of the congregation, stood between the living and the dead, and performed the act of atonement. His return to Moses at the tabernacle door indicates that his divinely mandated task was accomplished, and its efficacy was confirmed by the plague's cessation. It marks the conclusion of a desperate, life-saving errand.
* **tabernacle of the congregation (Hebrew, _ohel mo'ed'_ אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד):** This phrase refers to the Tent of Meeting, the central sanctuary where God met with Moses and communicated His will to Israel. Its mention here emphasizes that Aaron's actions were not arbitrary but were performed in direct obedience to divine command, originating from the very place of God's presence and authority. Returning to its door signifies reporting back to the divine authority and the place where God's will was revealed and executed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation":** This clause describes Aaron's physical movement, but it carries profound theological weight. Aaron's return signifies the successful completion of his urgent, life-saving mission. He had acted as the divinely appointed mediator, carrying out the prescribed act of atonement. His return to Moses at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting implies reporting back to the central authority and the place where God's presence resided, confirming that the divine instruction had been fulfilled and accepted. It marks the end of the immediate crisis and the validation of his priestly office.
* **"and the plague was stayed."** This concise declaration is the powerful climax of the verse and the narrative. It states the immediate and miraculous outcome of Aaron's intercession. The plague, a direct manifestation of God's wrath against the people's rebellion, was instantly halted. This demonstrates God's sovereign control over life and death, His responsiveness to divinely ordained atonement, and the efficacy of the High Priest's mediatorial role. It is a clear sign that God's judgment was appeased, and His mercy prevailed through the prescribed means.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 16:50 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The verse functions as a **Narrative Climax**, providing the swift and decisive resolution to the preceding crisis of the plague. The immediate cessation of the plague, after the dramatic account of its spread and Aaron's intercession, creates a sense of relief and finality. **Divine Intervention** is clearly at play, as the plague's instantaneous halt is not attributed to natural causes but to God's direct response to Aaron's act. This highlights God's active involvement in the affairs of His people, both in judgment and in mercy. **Symbolism** is rich in the broader narrative leading to this verse: Aaron's act of standing "between the living and the dead" ([Numbers 16:48](/numbers/16-48 "Numbers 16:48 - Aaron's Intercession")) symbolically represents his role as a mediator, literally interposing himself between God's wrath and the people. The censer and incense are symbols of atonement and acceptable prayer. The **Juxtaposition** of the raging, deadly plague with its instantaneous cessation emphasizes the power and effectiveness of the atonement and God's mercy. The brevity of the second clause, "and the plague was stayed," makes its impact all the more profound, underscoring the suddenness and completeness of the divine act.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 16:50 profoundly illustrates the biblical themes of divine wrath, human sin, and God's gracious provision for atonement through a divinely appointed mediator. The plague manifests God's holy justice against rebellion, yet His mercy is equally evident in providing a means for its cessation. Aaron's swift obedience and intercession highlight the critical need for a go-between for sinful humanity to approach a holy God. This event serves as a powerful Old Testament type, pointing forward to the ultimate and perfect intercession and atonement found in Jesus Christ. It demonstrates that God's judgment, while certain, can be appeased by a vicarious act of mediation, thereby opening a path for reconciliation and life.

* [Leviticus 16:24](/leviticus/16-24 "Leviticus 16:24 - Aaron's Atonement Ritual")
* [Psalm 106:30](/psalms/106-30 "Psalm 106:30 - Phinehas's Intercession")
* [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant's Atonement")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 16:50 offers enduring lessons for believers today, primarily concerning the urgency of intercession, the profound need for a mediator, and the balance of God's justice and mercy. Aaron's swift and obedient response to Moses' instruction, running into the midst of the congregation to make atonement, serves as a powerful example of zealous and timely intercession in the face of spiritual and physical crisis. It reminds us of the importance of fervent prayer for those caught in the throes of sin or suffering. This narrative vividly illustrates the fundamental biblical truth that sinful humanity cannot stand before a holy God without a mediator; Aaron's temporary role foreshadows the eternal mediation of Christ. Furthermore, the account demonstrates that while God's justice is sure and severe against rebellion, His mercy is equally profound, always providing a way for reconciliation and relief from judgment through atonement. Finally, the entire episode underscores the importance of respecting the spiritual authority God establishes, both in the Old Testament priesthood and in leadership within the church today, recognizing that defiance against appointed leaders can be defiance against God Himself.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Aaron's swift and obedient response challenge us to act with urgency in situations requiring spiritual intercession?**
* **In what ways does this narrative deepen our understanding of the need for a mediator between God and humanity?**
* **How does this account demonstrate the balance between God's justice and His mercy, and what does that reveal about His character?**
* **What lessons can we draw from this event regarding our attitude towards and respect for spiritual authority in the church today?**

### FAQ

**Why did God send a plague after the initial judgment on Korah's rebellion?**

Answer: The plague was a direct consequence of the congregation's continued rebellion and murmuring against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of killing the Lord's people ([Numbers 16:41](/numbers/16-41 "Numbers 16:41 - The People's Grumbling")). While the initial judgment on Korah, Dathan, and Abiram was for their direct challenge to God's authority, the subsequent plague demonstrated the severity of the entire community's sin in grumbling and questioning God's chosen leaders, thereby provoking His immediate wrath. It underscored God's holiness and the gravity of their defiance.

**What is the significance of Aaron standing "between the living and the dead"?**

Answer: This act, described in [Numbers 16:48](/numbers/16-48 "Numbers 16:48 - Aaron's Intercession"), visually and symbolically represented Aaron's crucial role as a mediator. By bringing the censer with fire from the altar and incense, he was performing an act of atonement that literally halted the spread of death. He placed himself as a barrier, a sacrificial intercessor, between God's consuming wrath and the perishing people. This dramatic posture vividly illustrated the High Priest's function to bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity, making reconciliation possible.

**How many people died in this plague?**

Answer: [Numbers 16:49](/numbers/16-49 "Numbers 16:49 - Death Toll of the Plague") explicitly states that 14,700 people died from the plague. This number is in addition to the 250 men who were consumed by fire and those swallowed by the earth in the initial judgment against Korah's company, highlighting the immense cost of rebellion against God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 16:50, with Aaron's swift and effective intercession, serves as a powerful Old Testament type pointing to the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. Aaron, as the High Priest, standing between the living and the dead with incense (a symbol of prayer and atonement), foreshadows Jesus Christ, our perfect and eternal High Priest. Unlike Aaron, whose intercession was temporary and required repeated acts, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, entering into the heavenly sanctuary not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). Where Aaron's act stayed a physical plague, Christ's atoning work on the cross "stayed" the eternal plague of sin and death, reconciling humanity to God. He is the true mediator, who, by His finished work, forever stands between God's righteous wrath against sin and those who believe, offering continuous intercession for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). Thus, Aaron's return to the tabernacle with the plague stayed is a vivid picture of Christ's triumph over sin and death, securing our access to God's presence and the cessation of divine judgment for all who are in Him ([Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8-9 - God's Love and Justification")).

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 Chronicles 21:26

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.

1 Chronicles 21:30

But David could not go before it to enquire of God: for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the LORD.

Numbers 16:43

And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.