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

NUMBERS 17:13KJV
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Numbers 17:13 (KJV)

What does Numbers 17:13 mean?

Numbers 17:13 expresses the Israelites’ fear that anyone who even approaches the tabernacle of the LORD will die, and they wonder if they are all doomed to perish. The people are reacting in alarm after witnessing severe consequences for coming too close to God’s holy place.

The verse is spoken by the Israelites to Moses after God’s judgment on those who challenged Aaron’s priesthood. The people have just seen that approaching the tabernacle (the sacred tent where God’s presence dwells) without proper authority leads to death. Their question, “shall we be consumed with dying?” shows their anxiety and confusion about how they can survive when God’s holiness seems so dangerous to them.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 17:13

  • “Near” (קָרַב, qārav): This word means to approach or come close. Here, it highlights the seriousness of drawing near to something as holy as the tabernacle without permission.
  • “Tabernacle” (מִשְׁכָּן, mishkan): This is the special tent where God’s presence was believed to dwell among the Israelites. The word emphasizes the idea of God “dwelling” with His people, but also the separation required because of His holiness.
  • “Die” (מוּת, muth): This is the common Hebrew word for death. In this context, it refers to the immediate, physical consequence of violating God’s command about approaching the tabernacle.
  • “Consumed” (תָּמַם, tamam): This word means to be finished or brought to an end. The people fear not just individual deaths, but the complete destruction of their community.
  • “Dying” (גָּוַע, gava): This word often refers to expiring or perishing, sometimes with the sense of wasting away. The people’s question uses strong language to express their sense of doom.

Why Numbers 17:13 matters

  • Numbers 17:13 shows the Israelites’ deep fear and misunderstanding about God’s holiness and the purpose of the tabernacle, highlighting their sense of distance from God.
  • This verse connects to the wider story of rebellion and God’s response, showing why clear boundaries and appointed mediators (like Aaron) were necessary for the people’s safety.
  • The verse helps explain the seriousness of God’s presence in the Old Testament and why approaching Him was not a casual matter for the Israelites.

Where else these words appear

“near” Hebrew H7131 · used in 11 verses

  • Numbers 1:51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
  • Numbers 18:7 Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
  • 2 Samuel 18:25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.

“dying” Hebrew H1478 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 6:17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
  • Numbers 20:3 And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
  • Job 27:5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

“consumed” Hebrew H8552 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 47:15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
  • Joshua 8:24 And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.
  • Isaiah 16:4 Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.

“tabernacle” Hebrew H4908 · used in 129 verses

  • Exodus 25:9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
  • Exodus 40:17 And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.
  • Numbers 10:21 And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.