King James Version
What Does Numbers 16:18 Mean?
“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.”
Numbers 16:18 · KJV
Context
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.
20
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryThey took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon—Korah's followers proceed with the forbidden liturgy, brazenly standing in the door of the tabernacle (petaḥ 'ohel mo'ed, פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד) with Moses and Aaron. This wasn't private worship but public confrontation at God's dwelling place. By igniting their censers, they committed an act of worship reserved exclusively for consecrated priests.
Their willingness to proceed reveals how ideology blinds: they'd convinced themselves that democratic egalitarianism ('we're all holy') overrode explicit divine command. The tragedy is that Levites did have a holy calling—bearing the tabernacle (Numbers 4)—but coveted a role God hadn't assigned. This is ministry envy, not humble service.
Their willingness to proceed reveals how ideology blinds: they'd convinced themselves that democratic egalitarianism ('we're all holy') overrode explicit divine command. The tragedy is that Levites did have a holy calling—bearing the tabernacle (Numbers 4)—but coveted a role God hadn't assigned. This is ministry envy, not humble service.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The tabernacle's door was the threshold between common and sacred space. The Levites could enter the courtyard but not the Holy Place where incense was offered. Korah's clan (Kohathites) carried the most sacred furniture but couldn't touch it on pain of death (Numbers 4:15)—close proximity bred resentment.
Reflection Questions
- When has comparison with others' gifts or callings led you to despise your own God-given role?
- How do you distinguish between righteous zeal for God's house and selfish ambition dressed in spiritual language?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 15 wordsאִ֣ישׁ2 of 15
“every man”
H376a 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)
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ4 of 15
“and put”
H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עֲלֵיהֶם֙5 of 15
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ7 of 15
“in them and laid”
H7760to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם8 of 15
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וַיַּֽעַמְד֗וּ10 of 15
“thereon and stood”
H5975to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
מוֹעֵ֖ד13 of 15
“of the congregation”
H4150properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
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 16:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.