King James Version

What Does Numbers 16:7 Mean?

Numbers 16:7 in the King James Version says “And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.”

Numbers 16:7 · KJV

Context

5

And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

6

This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;

7

And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

8

And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:

9

Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?

Read Numbers 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses tells Korah's company: 'put fire therein, and put incense... and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy.' Moses proposes testing through offering incense - a priestly prerogative (Ex 30:7-8). The challenge: let God choose. The Hebrew 'bachar' (choose) emphasizes divine election, not human ambition. God's choice was demonstrated - divine fire consumed unauthorized offerers (v.35). This illustrates that ministry is divine calling, not personal presumption. Those God calls, He confirms; those He doesn't, He judges. New Testament ministry requires divine gifting and calling (1 Cor 12:11, 28), not self-appointment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Incense offering was restricted to Aaronic priests (Ex 30:7-8). Unauthorized offerings brought judgment (Lev 10:1-2, Nadab and Abihu; 2 Chr 26:16-21, Uzziah's leprosy). Korah's 250 followers, all leaders, presumed corporate holiness entitled them to priestly function. Moses' challenge exposed presumption - if God chose them, they'd live; if not, they'd die. Divine fire consumed all 250 (v.35). Their censers were beaten into altar covering as perpetual warning (v.36-40). Yet even this visible memorial failed to prevent renewed rebellion, demonstrating human heart's wickedness.

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you sought confirmation that God has truly called you to your ministry role, or presumed based on ambition?
  2. How do you respond to challenges - with defensive assertion or trust in God's vindication?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וּתְנ֣וּ1 of 20

“And put”

H5414

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

בָהֵ֣ן׀2 of 20

“therein”

H2004

they (only used when emphatic)

אֵ֡שׁ3 of 20

“fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וְשִׂימוּ֩4 of 20

“and put”

H7760

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

עֲלֵיהֶ֨ן׀5 of 20
H5921

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

קְטֹ֜רֶת6 of 20

“incense”

H7004

a fumigation

לִפְנֵ֤י7 of 20

“in them 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

יְהוָ֖ה8 of 20

“the LORD”

H3068

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

מָחָ֔ר9 of 20

“to morrow”

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

וְהָיָ֗ה10 of 20
H1961

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

הָאִ֛ישׁ11 of 20

“and it shall be that the man”

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)

אֲשֶׁר12 of 20
H834

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

יִבְחַ֥ר13 of 20

“doth choose”

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

יְהוָ֖ה14 of 20

“the LORD”

H3068

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

ה֣וּא15 of 20
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

הַקָּד֑וֹשׁ16 of 20

“he shall be holy”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

רַב17 of 20

“ye take too much”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

לָכֶ֖ם18 of 20
H0
בְּנֵ֥י19 of 20

“upon you ye sons”

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

לֵוִֽי׃20 of 20

“of Levi”

H3878

levi, a son of jacob

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 16:7 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 16:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 16:32 Thessalonians 2:131 Peter 2:9Ephesians 1:4Numbers 16:51 Kings 18:17-18

Test Your Knowledge

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