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

NUMBERS 16:35KJV
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Numbers 16:35 (KJV)

What does Numbers 16:35 mean?

Numbers 16:35 describes how a fire came out from the LORD and destroyed the 250 men who had offered incense. This verse shows a direct and dramatic response from God against those who participated in an act He had not authorized.

In the story, Moses is leading the Israelites, and a group led by Korah has challenged his leadership and the special role of Aaron’s family as priests. The 250 men mentioned here had joined this rebellion by offering incense, a duty reserved for priests. The fire from the LORD is a sign of judgment, making it clear that God Himself is acting to address this challenge.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 16:35

  • "Fire" (אֵשׁ, ’esh): This word means literal fire, often used in the Hebrew Bible to represent God’s presence or judgment. Here, it emphasizes that the destruction was not accidental or natural, but a direct act from God.
  • "Consumed" (אָכַל, ’akhal): This verb means to eat or devour, and in this context, it paints a vivid picture of the fire completely destroying the men, leaving no doubt about the seriousness of their offense.
  • "Offered" (קָרַב, qarav): This word means to bring near or present, often used for presenting offerings to God. The men were performing a ritual act, but doing so in a way that was not permitted.

Why Numbers 16:35 matters

  • Numbers 16:35 clarifies that not everyone could approach God in the same way; only those He appointed were allowed to offer incense, highlighting the seriousness of following God’s instructions.
  • This verse connects to the wider story of Korah’s rebellion, showing the consequences of challenging God’s chosen leaders and roles.
  • The dramatic nature of the judgment helps explain why the Israelites would be fearful and cautious about approaching God’s presence in later passages.

Where else these words appear

“incense” Hebrew H7004 · used in 58 verses

  • Exodus 25:6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
  • Leviticus 10:1 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.
  • Numbers 16:18 And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.

“fifty” Hebrew H2572 · used in 141 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:21 And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand.