Numbers 16:7

And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be [that] the man whom the LORD doth choose, he [shall be] holy: [ye take] too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

And put {H5414} fire {H784} therein {H2004}, and put {H7760} incense {H7004} in them before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} to morrow {H4279}: and it shall be that the man {H376} whom the LORD {H3068} doth choose {H977}, he shall be holy {H6918}: ye take too much {H7227} upon you, ye sons {H1121} of Levi {H3878}.

put fire in them; and put incense in them before ADONAI tomorrow. The one whom ADONAI chooses will be the one who is holy! It is you, you sons of Levi, who are taking too much on yourselves!"

and tomorrow you are to place fire and incense in them in the presence of the LORD. Then the man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. It is you sons of Levi who have taken too much upon yourselves!โ€

and put fire in them, and put incense upon them before Jehovah to-morrow: and it shall be that the man whom Jehovah doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

Commentary

Numbers 16:7 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron, setting the stage for a divine test to determine legitimate spiritual authority. It highlights God's exclusive right to choose those who serve Him in sacred capacities.

Context

This verse is spoken by Moses in response to the challenge posed by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with 250 prominent men of Israel. They accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the congregation, asserting that all the congregation was holy (Numbers 16:3). In essence, they were attempting to usurp the divinely appointed Aaronic priesthood and Moses' leadership. Moses proposes a dangerous test: for Korah and his company to take censers, put fire and incense in them, and present them before the LORD. This act was strictly reserved for priests, making it a direct challenge to God's established order, as detailed in Numbers 16:16-17.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority vs. Human Presumption: The core conflict revolves around who has the right to appoint spiritual leaders and officiate sacred rites. God's choice, not popular demand or personal ambition, is paramount.
  • The Sanctity of Priesthood: The verse underscores that the priesthood was a holy calling, set apart by God, not a position to be seized by any who desired it. The phrase "the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy" directly refutes Korah's claim that all are equally holy for priestly service.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: Moses' words carry a veiled warning of the grave consequences for those who defy God's ordained structure, foreshadowing the dramatic judgment that follows (Numbers 16:31-33).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "ye take too much upon you" translates from the Hebrew rav-lakem (ืจึทื‘ึพืœึธื›ึถื), which literally means "enough for you" or "it is too much for you." In this context, it signifies an overstepping of bounds, an act of presumption, or taking on a responsibility that is not rightfully theirs. It conveys Moses' strong rebuke to Korah and his company for their audacious challenge to God's established order. The word "holy" (qadosh - ืงึธื“ื•ึนืฉื) emphasizes being "set apart" or "consecrated" by God Himself, reinforcing that holiness for service is a divine impartation, not a self-proclaimed status.

Practical Application

Numbers 16:7 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Respect for God-Given Authority: It reminds us to respect the spiritual authority God has established, whether in the church or other spheres, understanding that true leadership is God-appointed, not self-proclaimed.
  • Humility in Service: The danger of presumption and ambition in spiritual matters is a strong warning. Our service should stem from a humble heart and a divine call, not from a desire for prominence or power. We are called to serve where God places us, not to usurp roles He has not assigned.
  • God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, God is sovereign in choosing and equipping His servants. As Hebrews 5:4 states, "no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." This principle applies to all forms of spiritual leadership and service within the body of Christ.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true holiness and legitimate service flow from God's divine election and consecration, not from human aspiration or rebellion.

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

  • Numbers 16:3

    And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, [Ye take] too much upon you, seeing 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?

  • 1 Kings 18:17

    ยถ And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, [Art] thou he that troubleth Israel?

  • 1 Kings 18:18

    And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.

  • Numbers 16:5

    And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who [are] his, and [who is] holy; and will cause [him] to come near unto him: even [him] whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:13

    ยถ But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

  • Matthew 21:23

    ยถ And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

  • Matthew 21:27

    And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
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