King James Version

What Does Numbers 16:40 Mean?

Numbers 16:40 in the King James Version says “To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger , which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer i... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 16:40 · KJV


Context

38

The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

39

And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:

40

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.

41

But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.

42

And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"To be a memorial unto the children of Israel"zikaron (זִכָּרוֹן) means a reminder, memorial, or monument designed to prevent forgetting. The specific warning: "that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD"—defines "stranger" (zar, זָר) as anyone outside Aaron's lineage. This exclusivity offends democratic sensibilities but establishes that access to God comes through His appointed means, not human presumption.

"That he be not as Korah, and as his company"—the memorial warns future generations that Korah's fate awaits those who reject God's mediatorial order. Hebrews 10:19-22 reveals Christ as the fulfillment—we now approach through His priesthood alone, making unauthorized worship still deadly (Hebrews 10:26-31).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This memorial functioned throughout Israel's history until the first temple's destruction (586 BC). The altar plating reminded Israel for over 800 years that God determines access terms. The New Testament transforms the principle—Christ's exclusive mediation (1 Timothy 2:5) fulfills Aaronic exclusivity, not abolishing but perfecting the requirement for appointed access to God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's exclusive priesthood fulfill rather than contradict the Aaronic memorial's warning?
  2. Why does God insist on appointed mediators rather than allowing direct individual access on human terms?
  3. In what ways do modern worship innovations risk the presumption Korah's memorial warns against?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
זִכָּר֞וֹן1 of 28

To be a memorial

H2146

a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)

לִבְנֵ֣י2 of 28

unto the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל3 of 28

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְ֠מַעַן4 of 28
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר5 of 28

that

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא6 of 28
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִקְרַ֜ב7 of 28

come near

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

אִ֣ישׁ8 of 28

no stranger

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)

זָ֗ר9 of 28
H2114

to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר10 of 28

that

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹ֣א11 of 28
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מִזֶּ֤רַע12 of 28

which is not of the seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אַֽהֲרֹן֙13 of 28

of Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

ה֔וּא14 of 28
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לְהַקְטִ֥יר15 of 28

to offer

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

קְטֹ֖רֶת16 of 28

incense

H7004

a fumigation

לִפְנֵ֣י17 of 28

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

יְהוָ֛ה18 of 28

as the LORD

H3068

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

וְלֹֽא19 of 28
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִהְיֶ֤ה20 of 28
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְקֹ֙רַח֙21 of 28

that he be not as Korah

H7141

korach, the name of two edomites and three israelites

וְכַ֣עֲדָת֔וֹ22 of 28

and as his company

H5712

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר23 of 28

that

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּ֧ר24 of 28

said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֛ה25 of 28

as the LORD

H3068

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

בְּיַד26 of 28

to him by the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מֹשֶׁ֖ה27 of 28

of Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לֽוֹ׃28 of 28
H0

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 16:40 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 16:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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