Numbers 16 36

Numbers 16:36 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 16:36 nkjv

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

Numbers 16:36 niv

The LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 16:36 esv

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Numbers 16:36 nlt

And the LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 16 verses

Numbers 16 36 Meaning

Numbers 16:36 functions as a transitional verse, signifying a new and immediate divine communication from the LORD to Moses. It follows the dramatic judgment upon Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and introduces the subsequent instructions from God regarding the proper handling of the situation and the lessons to be learned by the community of Israel. This phrase highlights the LORD's continuous engagement with His people, even in the aftermath of severe disciplinary action.

Numbers 16 36 Context

Numbers 16:36 is situated immediately after a devastating act of divine judgment in Numbers chapter 16. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with 250 prominent leaders of Israel, rebelled against the divinely appointed leadership of Moses and Aaron. Their primary complaint was that Moses and Aaron had arrogated authority to themselves, claiming that "all the congregation are holy" (Num 16:3) and therefore everyone should be able to offer incense, not just Aaron's line. The LORD responded by opening the earth to swallow Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, their households, and all their possessions. Fire then came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering incense. The verse therefore marks the transition from this shocking demonstration of God's holiness and judgment against rebellion to the LORD's subsequent instructions on how to handle the aftermath, specifically the censers of those who offered unauthorized fire (Num 16:37-40). The historical context is the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, a period characterized by tests of faith, murmuring, and the establishment of Israel's national and religious identity through divine laws and experiences. The overall message of the preceding events is a stark polemic against any challenge to God's chosen mediatorial and priestly authority, emphasizing the extreme seriousness of presuming access to God or usurping roles He has uniquely appointed.

Numbers 16 36 Word analysis

• Then (וַיְדַבֵּר / vay-da-bér): This Hebrew construction, a waw-consecutive followed by an imperfect verb, serves as a common narrative connector. It indicates sequential action and temporal progression, highlighting that the LORD's speech directly follows the catastrophic events of judgment. It signifies a pivot point from divine action (judgment) to divine instruction.
• the LORD (יְהוָה / YHWH): This is the covenantal, personal name of God, frequently translated as "LORD" in English Bibles. Its use here underscores that the communication is from the sovereign God who entered into covenant with Israel, the one who just executed justice and maintains ultimate authority. It emphasizes His direct, active involvement and His unchanging nature in dealing with His people.
• spoke (וַיְדַבֵּר / vay-da-bér): From the Hebrew root davar (דָּבַר), meaning "to speak, to declare, to command." This term denotes clear, deliberate, and authoritative verbal communication. It's a common formula used throughout the Pentateuch to introduce direct divine revelation, signifying a definitive message from God that demands attention and obedience.
• to Moses (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה / ʾel-Mosheh): "Moses" is Mosheh (מֹשֶׁה), Israel's God-appointed leader, prophet, and mediator of the Old Covenant. The preposition "to" (ʾel) denotes direction, confirming that Moses is the specific recipient of this divine message. This highlights his unique and indispensable role as God's representative to Israel.
• saying, (לֵאמֹר / leʾmor): This is a Hebrew infinitive construct typically appended to verbs of speaking, signaling that the direct words of the speaker will follow. It acts as an introductory idiom, indicating that the content of the LORD's communication to Moses is about to be detailed in the subsequent verses. It serves to emphasize that what comes next is a precise divine utterance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then the LORD spoke": This opening phrase consistently marks direct, authoritative divine communication throughout the Torah and prophetic books. It underscores God's initiative in addressing humanity, His sovereign will, and His continued engagement with Israel, particularly in response to their actions or in leading them.
• "the LORD spoke to Moses": This specific formula emphasizes Moses' unparalleled position as the unique human agent through whom God primarily communicated His will to Israel in the wilderness. It confirms his mediating role between God's holiness and the people's needs and sins. This highlights the foundational principle that God operates through appointed leadership.
• "to Moses, saying": This concludes the standard introductory phrase for direct divine revelation. It serves to authenticate the following message as the very word of God, relayed through His chosen prophet, setting the stage for specific instructions or pronouncements from the divine realm to the human realm.

Numbers 16 36 Bonus section

The immediate consequence of this verse is God's command concerning the censers (Numbers 16:37-40). The specific instruction to hammer the bronze censers into a covering for the altar created a perpetual memorial (לְאוֹת / le'ot – a sign, token, or warning). This emphasizes a critical Old Testament concept: divine judgment and instruction often aim not only for immediate punishment but also for long-term remembrance and warning against future transgressions. The act transformed items associated with rebellion against holy worship into a permanent, visible reminder of the sanctity of the LORD's chosen priesthood and the danger of unauthorized approaches to God. This physical memorial served as a tangible object lesson for all generations of Israel, protecting the sanctity of the tabernacle and upholding the divinely ordained structure of worship. It illustrates that God's justice is always linked with His redemptive purpose of instructing His people.

Numbers 16 36 Commentary

Numbers 16:36 is not a command or a theological declaration in itself but a crucial narrative hinge. It signifies God's unwavering control and communication even in the aftermath of terrifying judgment. Following the severe consequences of Korah's rebellion, it confirms that God does not abandon His people but continues to guide them, establish order, and preserve holiness through His appointed mediator, Moses. This verse underscores God's initiative in clean-up and remediation after chaos, ensuring that the sanctity of His tabernacle and His chosen priesthood remains unblemished and perpetually acknowledged by future generations. It reinforces the idea that divine discipline is not the end of interaction, but often precedes further instruction and revelation designed to uphold His righteous standards. The very act of God speaking again signals continuity and grace alongside judgment, allowing for learning and the reaffirmation of truth within the covenant community.