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.

NUMBERS 16:40KJV
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Numbers 16:40 (KJV)

What does Numbers 16:40 mean?

Numbers 16:40 explains that the special bronze covering made from the censers of those who rebelled would serve as a reminder to the Israelites that only descendants of Aaron were allowed to offer incense before the LORD. This was to prevent others from making the same mistake as Korah and his followers, who tried to take on priestly duties without being appointed by God.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses after the rebellion led by Korah, who challenged the authority of Aaron’s priesthood. The situation is tense, as Korah and his followers had just been judged for their actions. The verse sets a clear boundary: only those from Aaron’s family line are to approach God in this specific priestly way, and the memorial is meant to remind everyone of the serious consequences of ignoring this command.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 16:40

  • "Stranger" (זָר, zar): This word means someone who is not a member of Aaron’s family, not just a foreigner. Here, it highlights that even other Israelites, if not of Aaron’s lineage, are not allowed to perform priestly duties.
  • "Seed" (זֶרַע, zera‘): This word refers to descendants or offspring. The verse is emphasizing the importance of family lineage in the priesthood, making it clear that only Aaron’s direct descendants are eligible.
  • "Memorial" (זִכָּרוֹן, zikkaron): This means a reminder or sign. The bronze covering was not just a practical object but a visible lesson for future generations about respecting God’s instructions regarding worship.

Why Numbers 16:40 matters

  • Numbers 16:40 clarifies that priestly duties were not open to everyone, even among the Israelites, but were restricted to Aaron’s descendants, correcting any assumption that anyone could serve in this role.
  • The verse connects directly to the events of Korah’s rebellion, showing how God used the aftermath as a teaching moment for the entire community.
  • This verse highlights the seriousness with which God views worship and obedience, showing that approaching God in unauthorized ways had real and lasting consequences.

Where else these words appear

“that” Hebrew H4616 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 12:13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
  • Exodus 8:22 And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.
  • Psalms 125:3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

“memorial” Hebrew H2146 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
  • Leviticus 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
  • Esther 6:1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

“Korah” Hebrew H7141 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 36:5 And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan.
  • Numbers 16:24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:19 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry.

“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.