Numbers 16:48 kjv
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
Numbers 16:48 nkjv
And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped.
Numbers 16:48 niv
He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.
Numbers 16:48 esv
And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped.
Numbers 16:48 nlt
He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague stopped.
Numbers 16 48 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:3 | I will bless those who bless you, and curse those... | Blessing and cursing via a chosen intermediary |
| Exod 32:11 | But Moses implored the LORD his God... | Moses intercedes to avert wrath |
| Exod 30:7-8 | Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it every morning... | Incense for regular priestly service |
| Lev 16:13 | ...that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat... | Incense for atonement on Yom Kippur |
| Lev 16:30 | For on this day atonement shall be made for you... | Purpose of atonement through the priest |
| Num 11:2 | And the people cried to Moses, and Moses prayed... | Moses intercedes against fire |
| Num 16:46-47 | "Take your censer... and run quickly... Aaron did as..." | Aaron's obedience and promptness |
| Num 21:7 | ...Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents... | Moses intercedes against plague of serpents |
| Psa 106:29 | ...the plague broke out among them. Then Phinehas stood... | Phinehas' similar intercession and zeal |
| Isa 53:5 | But he was pierced for our transgressions... | Prophecy of Christ's substitutionary sacrifice |
| Ezek 22:30 | So I sought for a man among them who would build... | God seeking someone to intercede for land |
| John 1:29 | Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! | Christ as ultimate sacrificial atonement |
| Rom 5:8 | ...but God shows his love for us in that while... | Christ's death for sinners |
| Rom 8:34 | ...Christ Jesus is the one who died... who indeed is at... | Christ's intercession for believers |
| 1 Cor 10:10 | nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed... | Warning against grumbling (refers to Num 16) |
| Gal 3:19 | Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions.. | Moses as mediator of the Old Covenant |
| 1 Tim 2:5 | For there is one God, and there is one mediator... | Christ as the unique mediator between God and man |
| Heb 4:14-16 | ...we have a great high priest who has passed through... | Christ as the compassionate high priest |
| Heb 7:25 | Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost... | Christ's perpetual and effective intercession |
| Heb 9:12 | he entered once for all into the holy places, not... | Christ's once-for-all sacrifice |
| Heb 9:15 | Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant... | Christ as the Mediator of the New Covenant |
| Heb 10:19 | Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter... | Direct access to God through Christ's blood |
| Heb 12:24 | ...and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant... | Christ as the Mediator of New Covenant |
| Rev 5:8 | ...golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers... | Incense symbolizing prayers and intercession |
| Rev 8:3-4 | ...given much incense to offer with the prayers of... | Prayers and incense before God's throne |
Numbers 16 verses
Numbers 16 48 Meaning
Numbers 16:48 describes Aaron's decisive action of standing between those already killed by a divine plague and those still living. His swift and obedient intercession, by offering incense as atonement, effectively halted God's judgment and saved the remaining Israelite congregation from immediate destruction. This verse highlights the immediate efficacy of divinely appointed priestly mediation in turning away God's wrath.
Numbers 16 48 Context
Numbers chapter 16 records the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses' God-given leadership and Aaron's divinely instituted priesthood. God judged this rebellion swiftly and powerfully, with the earth swallowing the families of Dathan and Abiram (vv. 31-33), and fire consuming the 250 men who offered unauthorized incense (vv. 35). Despite this clear demonstration of divine authority, the very next day, the entire congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, blaming them for the deaths (v. 41). In response to their renewed murmuring, God sent a destructive plague among the people (v. 46). Moses instructed Aaron to take a censer with fire from the altar and incense to make atonement for the people immediately, recognizing the plague's severity and speed (v. 46). Aaron, demonstrating selfless obedience and courage, ran into the midst of the congregation (v. 47) where the plague was actively raging. Numbers 16:48 describes the crucial moment when Aaron placed himself directly between divine wrath and its continuing victims.
Numbers 16 48 Word analysis
And he stood (וַיַּעֲמֹד - vayya'amod): From the Hebrew root 'amad, meaning "to stand, take one's stand, persist." This implies a deliberate, resolute, and firm action. Aaron didn't hesitate or merely observe; he positioned himself decisively. It signifies active interposition and unwavering commitment to his divinely ordained duty.
between (בֵּין - bein): This preposition indicates a position of separation or distinction. Aaron became the physical and spiritual barrier, delineating the line between God's judgment and its continued devastation, and simultaneously connecting the stricken people with God's mercy through his mediation.
the dead (הַמֵּתִים - hammetim): Masculine plural participle from mut, "to die." Refers to those already killed by the plague. It emphasizes the present, devastating reality of death in the midst of the camp, underscoring the urgency and seriousness of Aaron's mission.
and the living (וְהַחַיִּים - v'hachayyim): Masculine plural participle from chayah, "to live, exist." Refers to those still alive but susceptible to the plague. The contrast highlights the extreme danger faced by the congregation and the critical nature of Aaron's intervention to save lives.
and the plague (וְהַמַּגֵּפָה - v'hammagephah): From the root nagaph, meaning "to strike, smite." Refers to a divine judgment, a sudden destructive stroke from God. Its mention emphasizes the immediate divine origin and overwhelming power of the affliction.
was stayed (וַתֵּעָצַר - vatte'atzar): From the Niphal (passive) voice of atzar, "to restrain, hold back, shut up, retain." This passive construction is crucial; it means the plague itself was divinely stopped or restrained. It wasn't Aaron's power, but God's sovereign act in response to Aaron's intercession and the symbolic atonement he offered. This indicates divine approval and the efficacy of the atonement.
"stood between the dead and the living": This phrase paints a vivid picture of a mediator. Aaron positioned himself in the most vulnerable and critical place, risking his own life to halt the advance of divine wrath. This is a powerful metaphor for atonement and intercession, where one stands in the "gap" to turn away destruction.
"the plague was stayed": This signifies a direct, instantaneous cessation of the divine judgment. It underscores the immediate effectiveness of Aaron's priestly act, demonstrating God's readiness to relent when proper atonement and intercession are made through His appointed channels. This phrase validates the unique role of the Aaronic priesthood.
Numbers 16 48 Bonus section
The swiftness of the plague's cessation at Aaron's intercession underscores the urgency of human need for atonement and the responsiveness of a compassionate God when atonement is made. This act validates the legitimacy of the Aaronic priesthood and foreshadows the high priestly ministry of Jesus. Unlike Korah's unauthorized incense offering that brought death, Aaron's authorized incense brought life, highlighting the sacred boundaries of worship and service to God. The act symbolizes that God desires to turn from wrath, but requires a just means of propitiation. Aaron's bold charge into the plague itself (Num 16:47) demonstrates immense courage and faith, contrasting with the congregation's murmuring. His action points to the substitutionary nature of priestly ministry—the priest taking the place of the people before God.
Numbers 16 48 Commentary
Numbers 16:48 stands as a profound testament to the power of intercessory prayer and the efficacy of atonement through a divinely appointed mediator. Aaron's brave act was not merely a symbolic ritual; it was a desperate, immediate, and effectual response to a widespread judgment. By placing himself "between the dead and the living," Aaron embodied his priestly calling to stand between a holy God and a sinful people, bridging the gap with an act of atonement through incense. The stopping of the plague highlights that God honors obedience to His commands regarding atonement and mediation. This event serves as a powerful type, foreshadowing the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who uniquely and permanently stands between God and humanity. While Aaron's act brought temporary salvation from physical death, Christ's sacrifice brings eternal salvation from spiritual death and divine wrath, for all who believe. Aaron risked his life to stand in the gap, but Christ gave His life as the perfect sacrifice, eternally closing the gap for His people.