King James Version

What Does Numbers 16:46 Mean?

Numbers 16:46 in the King James Version says “And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly un... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.

Numbers 16:46 · KJV


Context

44

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

45

Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.

46

And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.

47

And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.

48

And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As plague begins killing the congregation, Moses tells Aaron 'Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them.' The very priestly ministry Korah's rebellion challenged now provides salvation from God's wrath. Aaron's intercession between living and dead demonstrates the mediator's essential role.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Aaron's action prefigures Christ's intercessory work, standing between holy God and sinful humanity. The incense represents prayer (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8), and Aaron's priesthood typifies Christ's eternal high priesthood (Hebrews 7:23-25).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Aaron's standing between dead and living picture Christ's mediatorial work?
  2. What does priestly intercession halting plague teach about the power of prayer?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 27

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁ֜ה2 of 27

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶֽל3 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַהֲרֹ֗ן4 of 27

unto Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

קַ֣ח5 of 27

Take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת6 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַ֠מַּחְתָּה7 of 27

a censer

H4289

a pan for live coals

וְתֶן8 of 27

and put

H5414

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

עָלֶ֨יהָ9 of 27
H5921

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

אֵ֜שׁ10 of 27

fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

מֵעַ֤ל11 of 27
H5921

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

הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙12 of 27

the altar

H4196

an altar

וְשִׂ֣ים13 of 27

and put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

קְטֹ֔רֶת14 of 27

on incense

H7004

a fumigation

וְהוֹלֵ֧ךְ15 of 27
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

מְהֵרָ֛ה16 of 27

quickly

H4120

properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly

אֶל17 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽעֵדָ֖ה18 of 27

unto the congregation

H5712

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

וְכַפֵּ֣ר19 of 27

and make an atonement

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם20 of 27
H5921

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

כִּֽי21 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יָצָ֥א22 of 27

gone out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הַקֶּ֛צֶף23 of 27

for them for there is wrath

H7110

a splinter (as chipped off)

מִלִּפְנֵ֥י24 of 27

therein from off

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

יְהוָ֖ה25 of 27

from the LORD

H3068

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

הֵחֵ֥ל26 of 27

is begun

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

הַנָּֽגֶף׃27 of 27

the plague

H5063

a trip (of the foot); figuratively, an infliction (of disease)


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 16:46 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 16:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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