Numbers 16:6

This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;

This do {H6213}; Take {H3947} you censers {H4289}, Korah {H7141}, and all his company {H5712};

Do this: take censers, Korach and all your group;

You, Korah, and all your followers are to do as follows: Take censers,

This do: take you censers, Korah, and all his company;

Commentary

Context of Numbers 16:6

Numbers 16:6 is a pivotal verse within the account of the infamous rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Korah, a Levite, along with 250 prominent men of Israel, challenged the divinely established authority of Moses as God's prophet and Aaron as the High Priest. They accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the congregation of the Lord.

In response to this audacious challenge, Moses, acting under God's instruction, proposes a test to determine whom the Lord truly chose for the priestly service. This verse initiates that test, commanding Korah and his company to perform an act that was sacred and reserved exclusively for the Aaronic priesthood: the offering of incense with censers. This was a direct challenge to the divinely appointed priesthood of Aaron and was seen as a serious usurpation of authority.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Challenge to Divine Authority: The core theme is the rebellion against God's established order and His chosen leaders. Korah and his company sought to redefine spiritual leadership and priestly access.
  • Sacredness of the Priesthood: The act of offering incense was a holy ritual, symbolizing prayer and atonement, and was strictly regulated by God. This verse highlights the sanctity and exclusivity of the Aaronic priesthood.
  • Divine Validation: Moses' instruction to "Take you censers" sets the stage for God Himself to demonstrate unequivocally whom He had chosen and to validate His covenant with Aaron's house, revealing the true nature of the rebellion.
  • Consequences of Presumption: By daring to take on a role not appointed to them, Korah and his followers were inviting divine judgment, illustrating the severe consequences of defying God's will and authority.

Linguistic Insights

The term "censers" translates the Hebrew word machtah (ΧžΦ·Χ—Φ°ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ”), which refers to a fire pan or a censer. These were typically made of bronze and used to carry coals from the altar of burnt offering, upon which incense would then be placed for burning. The burning of incense was a key part of the tabernacle service, often associated with prayer and the sweet aroma pleasing to God (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 8:3-4). The command for Korah and his company to take these censers was a deliberate act by Moses to put their claim to the priesthood to a direct, divine test.

Practical Application

Numbers 16:6 offers timeless lessons relevant to believers today:

  1. Respect for God-Ordained Authority: The passage underscores the importance of respecting spiritual leadership and the structures God establishes within His church. While accountability is vital, outright rebellion against legitimate authority can have serious consequences.
  2. Humility and Contentment: Korah's rebellion stemmed from a desire for more authority than God had granted him. This reminds us to be content with our God-given roles and callings, serving humbly where we are placed.
  3. The Seriousness of Approaching God: The story highlights that approaching God, especially in worship or service, is not to be taken lightly. It requires reverence, obedience, and an understanding of His holiness and the proper channels He has established.
  4. God's Vindication of His Chosen: Just as God vindicated Moses and Aaron, He continues to uphold His truth and His chosen servants, even amidst opposition. We can trust in His ultimate justice and His faithful vindication of what is right. The outcome of this challenge is severe, as recorded in Numbers 16:35.
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.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 10:1

    ΒΆ And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

  • Leviticus 16:12

    And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring [it] within the vail:

  • Leviticus 16:13

    And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that [is] upon the testimony, that he die not:

  • Numbers 16:35

    ΒΆ And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

  • 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.

  • 1 Kings 18:21

    ΒΆ And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

  • 1 Kings 18:23

    Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay [it] on wood, and put no fire [under]: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay [it] on wood, and put no fire [under]:
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