Numbers 17:13

KJV

Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?

KJV (with Strong's)

Whosoever cometh any thing near {H7131} unto the tabernacle {H4908} of the LORD {H3068} shall die {H4191}: shall we be consumed {H8552} with dying {H1478}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Whenever anyone approaches the tabernacle of ADONAI, he dies! Will we all perish?"

Berean Standard Bible

Anyone who comes near the tabernacle of the LORD will die. Are we all going to perish?”

American Standard Version

Every one that cometh near, that cometh near unto the tabernacle of Jehovah, dieth: shall we perish all of us?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 17:13 encapsulates the profound fear and despair of the Israelites following a series of devastating divine judgments, particularly the rebellion of Korah and the subsequent plague. Their desperate cry, "Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?", expresses a terrifying recognition of God's unapproachable holiness and their own pervasive sinfulness, leading to an overwhelming sense of impending doom and the perceived inevitability of death for any unauthorized approach to the sacred dwelling.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic divine confirmation of Aaron's legitimate priesthood through the miraculous budding of Aaron's rod, which God commanded to be placed before the ark of the covenant in the Tabernacle as an undeniable sign to quell the ongoing challenges to priestly authority (see [Numbers 17:1-11](/numbers/17-1-11 "Numbers 17:1-11 - Aaron's Budding Rod")). The people's fearful lament in Numbers 17:13 is a direct and visceral response to this definitive act and the preceding catastrophic judgments. The narrative flow highlights a progression from outright rebellion (as detailed in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion")) to severe divine judgment, then to God's clear confirmation of His chosen authority, culminating in the people's terrified realization of the extreme danger inherent in unauthorized proximity to God's holy presence. Their cry underscores the profound impact of the recent events, particularly the earth swallowing Korah and his company, and the plague that consumed 14,700 people (see [Numbers 16:31-35](/numbers/16-31-35 "Numbers 16:31-35 - The Earth Swallows Korah") and [Numbers 16:49](/numbers/16-49 "Numbers 16:49 - The Plague's Toll")), all for challenging God's ordained order and the sanctity of the Tabernacle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Tabernacle was the central place of worship and the tangible dwelling of God's presence among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. Its design, rituals, and the designated priesthood were meticulously prescribed by God to maintain the necessary separation between a holy God and a sinful people. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, sacred spaces were often guarded with strict protocols, but the Israelite Tabernacle's holiness was absolute, stemming from the character of Yahweh Himself. The events leading up to this verse, especially the rebellion of Korah (as recounted in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion")), underscore the severe consequences for violating these divinely established boundaries. The people's cry reflects a cultural understanding that proximity to the divine without proper mediation or purification was inherently dangerous, often resulting in death. This fear was not merely superstitious but deeply rooted in the recent, tangible experience of God's immediate and consuming judgment against those who transgressed His holiness, demonstrating His unyielding commitment to the sanctity of His dwelling.
* **Key Themes:** The cry in Numbers 17:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. It highlights **God's absolute holiness and unapproachable nature**, emphasizing that His presence is both gracious and consuming for those who approach improperly. This theme is foundational to understanding the necessity of the Levitical priesthood and the sacrificial system, which provided the only divinely sanctioned means of approach. The verse also underscores **human unworthiness and the pervasive nature of sin**, demonstrating the people's profound awareness that their sinfulness made direct, unauthorized access to God's holy dwelling fatal. This fear, born from witnessing God's immediate and severe judgment against disobedience, implicitly points to the **necessity of mediation**. Without a divinely appointed mediator, like Aaron, the people believed any attempt to draw near would result in death, a theological truth that foreshadows the ultimate need for a perfect mediator between God and humanity, as seen in [Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, the Mediator of the New Covenant"). Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of **divine judgment and the consequences of rebellion**, serving as a stark reminder of God's unwavering commitment to the sanctity of His dwelling and the authority of His chosen leaders, as vividly demonstrated in [Numbers 16:32](/numbers/16-32 "Numbers 16:32 - The Earth Swallows Korah's Company").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Near (Hebrew, _qârêb'_):** This verb (H7131) signifies "to come near," "to approach," or "to draw close." In the context of the Tabernacle, it refers not merely to physical proximity but to an unauthorized, presumptuous, or unholy approach to God's sacred space. The Israelites understood that even an unintentional or ignorant "coming near" could be fatal if it violated the divine protocols. It highlights the strict boundaries God set for His holy presence, underscoring the danger of human impurity encountering divine perfection without proper mediation.
* **Tabernacle (Hebrew, _mishkân'_):** This noun (H4908) refers to "a residence" or "dwelling place," specifically the portable sanctuary where God's presence resided among Israel. Its significance lies in its function as the focal point of God's covenantal presence and the place where atonement was made. The people's fear of approaching the _mishkân_ highlights their acute awareness of its profound holiness and the severe consequences of violating the sacred space where the self-existent God (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) dwelled.
* **Die (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** This verb (H4191) means "to die," "to perish," or "to be put to death." Its emphatic repetition in this context underscores the absolute and inevitable consequence of violating God's holiness. It is not a mere threat but a statement of observed fact, given the recent judgments. The fear is of a literal, physical death as a direct divine judgment, demonstrating God's unwavering justice against sin and disobedience.
* **Consumed (Hebrew, _tâmam'_):** This verb (H8552) means "to complete," "to finish," or "to be utterly destroyed/perished." When used with "dying" (gâvaʻ, H1478), as in "consumed with dying," it creates an emphatic expression of utter and continuous destruction. It conveys a sense of being perpetually in the process of dying, or being completely wiped out by death, implying an overwhelming, inescapable, and pervasive state of demise. The Israelites felt trapped in a cycle of divine judgment from which they saw no escape.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die":** This clause articulates the core fear and the perceived divine decree. It reflects the Israelites' understanding, born from recent catastrophic events, that any unauthorized or improper approach to the Tabernacle, the dwelling place of Yahweh, would inevitably result in death. This was not a hypothetical statement but a terrifying reality they had just witnessed. It underscores the absolute holiness of God and the strict boundaries required for human interaction with His presence. The phrase "any thing near" emphasizes the extreme sensitivity of the sacred space, implying that even slight transgression of the boundary or protocol was perilous.
* **"shall we be consumed with dying?":** This is a rhetorical question that expresses profound despair, hopelessness, and terror. It is not a genuine inquiry but a lament, reflecting the overwhelming sense that death was their inescapable fate. The phrase "consumed with dying" is a powerful idiom indicating a continuous, pervasive, and utter destruction by death. It conveys the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of divine judgment, facing total annihilation. This question reveals the psychological impact of God's severe holiness on a sinful people, who felt utterly unworthy and incapable of approaching Him without incurring His wrath.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey the Israelites' profound despair and the gravity of their situation. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, "shall we be consumed with dying?", which is not meant to elicit an answer but to express the overwhelming sense of dread, hopelessness, and the perceived inevitability of their demise. This question is amplified by **Hyperbole**, "consumed with dying," which exaggerates the extent of their fear and the perceived continuous nature of God's judgment, suggesting an unending process of perishing rather than a single event. This hyperbolic expression effectively communicates the depth of their terror and the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of divine wrath. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Pathos**, as the verse evokes deep pity and sympathy for the Israelites, who, having witnessed repeated divine judgments, are now utterly overwhelmed by the holiness of God and their own inability to safely approach Him. Their cry is a raw outpouring of collective trauma and existential fear.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 17:13 serves as a stark testament to the absolute holiness of God and the inherent danger of sin in His presence. It underscores the Old Covenant's emphasis on separation and the necessity of mediation. The Israelites' cry reveals their deep understanding that a holy God cannot tolerate sin, and any unauthorized attempt to bridge the gap between human impurity and divine perfection results in death. This theological truth necessitated the elaborate Tabernacle system, the Levitical priesthood, and the sacrificial rituals, all designed to provide a divinely appointed, albeit temporary, means for a sinful people to approach a holy God without being consumed. The verse thus sets the stage for a profound longing for a more permanent and perfect solution to the problem of human access to God, a solution that would ultimately be found in Christ.

* [Exodus 19:12-13](/exodus/19-12-13 "Exodus 19:12-13 - Boundaries at Mount Sinai")
* [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire")
* [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God through Christ's Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The desperate cry of the Israelites in Numbers 17:13 offers a profound lesson on the nature of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin. It reminds us that God is not to be approached casually or irreverently, for His presence is consuming to those who are outside of His grace and appointed means of access. While the immediate threat of physical death for unauthorized approach to a physical Tabernacle is no longer the concern for New Covenant believers, the underlying principle of God's unchangeable holiness remains. This verse should cultivate in us a deep reverence for God, an awe of His majesty, and a profound gratitude for the "new and living way" that has been opened for us through Jesus Christ. It calls us to humility, acknowledging our unworthiness, and to worship with a spirit of reverence and godly fear, understanding the immense privilege of drawing near to the Creator of the universe. It challenges us to consider the purity of our hearts and intentions when we approach God, recognizing that while physical barriers are gone, spiritual reverence is eternally required.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Israelites' fear in Numbers 17:13 inform your understanding of God's holiness and the gravity of sin?**
* **In what ways might we, in our modern context, approach God casually or irreverently, and what lessons can we learn from the Israelites' experience regarding reverence?**
* **How does the concept of "mediation" in the Old Testament, highlighted by this verse, deepen your appreciation for Jesus Christ as our ultimate Mediator and High Priest?**

### FAQ

**Why was God so strict about approaching the Tabernacle, leading to such fear among the Israelites?**

Answer: God's strictness regarding access to the Tabernacle stemmed from His absolute holiness and purity. The Tabernacle was the tangible dwelling place of His divine presence, and any unauthorized or unholy approach by sinful humans would defile His sanctuary and dishonor His name. The severe judgments, such as those against Korah's rebellion (see [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion")), were not arbitrary acts of wrath but necessary demonstrations of God's righteous character and His unwavering commitment to the sanctity of His presence. These judgments served to teach the Israelites the profound difference between a holy God and sinful humanity, instilling a healthy fear and reverence that was essential for their spiritual and physical well-being. This strictness highlighted the need for a divinely appointed system of mediation and atonement to bridge the gap between God and humanity, ensuring that His holiness was upheld and His people could approach Him safely.

**What is the significance of the phrase "consumed with dying"?**

Answer: The phrase "consumed with dying" (KJV) or "perish completely" (NIV) is a powerful Hebrew idiom that expresses utter and continuous destruction. It's an emphatic way of saying they felt they were in a perpetual state of perishing, as if death was constantly consuming them, with no end in sight. It conveys the Israelites' profound despair and the overwhelming sense of impending doom following the recent plagues and judgments. They felt trapped in a cycle of divine wrath, believing that any attempt to draw near to God's holy presence would inevitably lead to their complete annihilation, a fear rooted in the tangible experiences of God's immediate and severe judgments against those who violated His sacred boundaries. This idiom vividly portrays their psychological and spiritual anguish, a collective cry of a people overwhelmed by God's consuming holiness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desperate cry of the Israelites in Numbers 17:13, expressing their terror of approaching a holy God, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant Tabernacle, with its strict boundaries and the terrifying consequence of unauthorized approach, served as a powerful shadow of God's holiness and humanity's sinfulness. It highlighted the unbridgeable chasm that existed. However, in Christ, this chasm is not merely bridged but overcome. Jesus, as our great High Priest, has entered the true heavenly sanctuary, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, securing an eternal redemption (as described in [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). He is the ultimate "Tabernacle" or dwelling place of God among humanity, for in Him "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - The Fullness of God in Christ")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Tearing of the Temple Veil")), signifying that the way into God's presence is now open for all who believe. We are no longer consumed with dying when we draw near, but rather are invited to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approaching the Throne of Grace")). Christ transforms fearful distance into confident access, making us not just survivors but beloved children who can approach a holy God through Him, the perfect and living way.

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

Job 34:14

If he set his heart upon man, [if] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;

Job 34:15

All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

2 Samuel 6:6

¶ And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth [his hand] to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook [it].

2 Samuel 6:12

¶ And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that [pertaineth] unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.

Deuteronomy 2:16

So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people,

Acts 5:11

And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Acts 5:14

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)