King James Version

What Does Numbers 16:17 Mean?

Numbers 16:17 in the King James Version says “And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred a...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.”

Numbers 16:17 · KJV

Context

15

And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

16

And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:

17

And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.

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.

19

And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.

Read Numbers 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Take every man his censer, and put incense in them—The maḥtah (מַחְתָּה, censer/fire pan) was a priestly implement used for burning incense before God. Moses's challenge is brilliant: if Korah's company truly believes 'all the congregation are holy' (v. 3), let them perform the priests' most sacred duty—offering incense at the tabernacle. Two hundred and fifty censers indicates the scale of this rebellion; these were influential men, not a fringe group.

Incense symbolized prayer ascending to God (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4), but unauthorized incense was capital sacrilege (Leviticus 10:1-2, where Nadab and Abihu died for this). Moses essentially says, 'Let God choose whom He has sanctified'—echoing v. 5's qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ, holy). This was ordeal by liturgy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Only Aaronic priests could burn incense on the golden altar in the Holy Place (Exodus 30:7-8). When King Uzziah later usurped this privilege (2 Chronicles 26:16-21), God struck him with leprosy—demonstrating that even kings couldn't bypass priestly appointments.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'censers' might you presume to carry—ministry roles or spiritual authority God hasn't actually given you?
  2. How does this passage inform the NT teaching that believers are priests (1 Peter 2:9) but also that church leadership requires divine calling (Hebrews 5:4)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וּקְח֣וּ׀1 of 18

“And take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אִ֥ישׁ2 of 18

“each”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מַחְתָּתֽוֹ׃3 of 18

“censers”

H4289

a pan for live coals

וּנְתַתֶּ֤ם4 of 18

“and put”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

עֲלֵיהֶם֙5 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

קְטֹ֔רֶת6 of 18

“incense”

H7004

a fumigation

וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֞ם7 of 18

“in them and bring”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

לִפְנֵ֤י8 of 18

“ye before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָה֙9 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אִ֥ישׁ10 of 18

“each”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מַחְתָּתֽוֹ׃11 of 18

“censers”

H4289

a pan for live coals

חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים12 of 18

“and fifty”

H2572

fifty

וּמָאתַ֖יִם13 of 18

“two hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

מַחְתָּתֽוֹ׃14 of 18

“censers”

H4289

a pan for live coals

וְאַתָּ֥ה15 of 18
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וְאַֽהֲרֹ֖ן16 of 18

“thou also and Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

אִ֥ישׁ17 of 18

“each”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מַחְתָּתֽוֹ׃18 of 18

“censers”

H4289

a pan for live coals

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 16:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 16:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 12:7

Test Your Knowledge

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