Numbers 16 7

Numbers 16:7 kjv

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 nkjv

put fire in them and put incense in them before the LORD tomorrow, and it shall be that the man whom the LORD chooses is the holy one. You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!"

Numbers 16:7 niv

and tomorrow put burning coals and incense in them before the LORD. The man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. You Levites have gone too far!"

Numbers 16:7 esv

put fire in them and put incense on them before the LORD tomorrow, and the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!"

Numbers 16:7 nlt

Light fires in them tomorrow, and burn incense before the LORD. Then we will see whom the LORD chooses as his holy one. You Levites are the ones who have gone too far!"

Numbers 16 verses

Numbers 16 7 Meaning

Numbers 16:7 sets the stage for a divine test to determine the divinely appointed priesthood. Moses challenges Korah and his followers to appear before the LORD the following morning, each bringing a censer. The verse declares that the individual whom the LORD Himself chooses will be consecrated for service. Moses then pronounces a stern rebuke, stating that the challenging Levites have taken too much authority upon themselves, encroaching upon sacred prerogatives not granted to them. This test will reveal who is genuinely designated by God for His holy service, establishing God's sovereign choice over human ambition.

Numbers 16 7 Context

Numbers 16:7 is embedded in the narrative of Korah’s rebellion, a pivotal event in Israel’s wilderness journey. Korah, a Levite from the clan of Kohath (whose responsibility was to transport the sacred Tabernacle objects), alongside Dathan, Abiram, and On (Reubenites, descendants of the firstborn son of Jacob), and 250 prominent Israelite leaders, challenged Moses' and Aaron's divinely appointed authority. Their core grievance, articulated in Num 16:3, was that "all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" This verse follows Moses’ proposal of a direct test before the LORD to reveal whom God had truly chosen. The historical context underscores the delicate balance of leadership within newly formed Israel and God's absolute insistence on strict adherence to His revealed will regarding sacred service, especially the priesthood. It served as a stark lesson for the original audience about divine sovereignty, respect for appointed leadership, and the dire consequences of unauthorized religious innovation or usurping priestly functions.

Numbers 16 7 Word analysis

• tomorrow morning (מָחָר בֹּ֫קֶר, maḥar bōqer): Signifies a deferral to God's timing and a dramatic setup for divine intervention. It emphasizes a fixed, non-negotiable test of authority, preventing immediate human retaliation and placing the judgment squarely in God's hands.
• you shall come near (תִּקְרְבוּ, tiqrᵉvu - Hiphil Imperfect of קָרַב qarav): This verb often describes drawing near to God in worship or service, specifically a priestly action (e.g., Ex 34:34). Moses' use of it here is laden with irony, as it demands the rebels perform an act reserved for consecrated priests, implying they are presuming such a right.
• before the LORD (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, lipnê YHWH): Denotes a sacred encounter, a direct appeal to God’s judgment, especially at the Tabernacle. It implies the participants will enter the consecrated space or bring their offerings to the vicinity of the Tabernacle altar, where God's presence is manifested.
• each of you with his censer (אִישׁ מַחְתָּתוֹ, ʾîsh maḥtāhtô): The censer (מַחְתָּה, maḥtāh, literally "fire-pan") was an instrument specifically used by priests to burn incense before the LORD (Lev 16:12). It was holy, directly involved in priestly worship, making its use by Korah and his 250 followers a direct usurpation of Aaronic privilege.
• the man whom the LORD chooses (הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר יְהוָה, hāʾîsh ʾasher yivḥar YHWH): Emphasizes divine election, not human qualification, lineage (beyond God’s specific command), or self-appointment. This directly counters Korah’s argument that all are equally holy and fit for priestly service, highlighting God’s sovereignty in selection.
• shall be the holy one (הוּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ, hûʾ haqqāḏôsh): Refers to being "set apart," consecrated for sacred use and service to God. It explicitly states that holiness (sanctification for sacred office) comes solely from God's designation, not from inherent spiritual status or claim.
• You take too much upon yourselves (רַב־לָכֶם, rav-lāchem): The Hebrew רַב (rav) means "much" or "great." In this context, it implies an excessive, audacious, or presumptuous demand. It signifies their actions are beyond what is rightful or permissible for them, encroaching upon boundaries God has set.
• sons of Levi (בְּנֵי לֵוִי, bĕnê Lêwî): This directly addresses Korah and his group as Levites. While Levites had sacred duties (e.g., serving the Tabernacle, assisting the priests), they were strictly forbidden from priestly functions such as offering incense or approaching the altar for sacrifices. This address highlights their defiance of their God-ordained limited role.

• "you shall come near before the LORD, each of you with his censer": This phrase details the proposed test, emphasizing its nature as a direct priestly challenge involving the very instruments and actions of Aaronic service. It is a precise demand for them to perform the very act they are disputing access to, letting God render judgment.
• "the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the holy one": This asserts God's ultimate authority and discernment in establishing sacred offices. It implies a divine act of consecration and authentication, countering any human claims or qualifications based on communal consent or general holiness. The chosen one will be explicitly validated by God.
• "You take too much upon yourselves, sons of Levi!": This serves as Moses' cutting summation of Korah's sin – presumption and overstepping God-defined boundaries. It's a severe accusation that directly points to their defiance of the specific roles and limitations God established for the Levitical tribe, indicating grave spiritual danger.

Numbers 16 7 Bonus section

The immediate outcome of this test with the censers, detailed in subsequent verses (Num 16:35), reveals that the 250 men who presumed to offer incense were consumed by fire from the LORD, emphasizing the extreme seriousness with which God views unauthorized access to His holiness and appointed offices. The censers themselves became a holy testimony against future presumption (Num 16:38-40), pounded into an overlay for the altar, serving as a permanent visual warning. The specific use of censers was not arbitrary; it directly challenged the priests' primary function of mediating access to God through offerings. By imitating the priestly act, Korah's group attempted to redefine access to God on their own terms, thereby subverting divine order. This narrative profoundly shaped the understanding of the Levitical and Aaronic roles, establishing an indelible distinction rooted in God's specific commands, not human preference or perceived equality.

Numbers 16 7 Commentary

Numbers 16:7 distills the core conflict of Korah's rebellion: who has the legitimate authority to serve God in priestly capacities? Moses' command to bring censers is a divine challenge, forcing Korah's assembly to perform a highly specific priestly act—offering incense—that only consecrated priests were authorized to do. This isn't just a dispute over leadership; it's a test of divine election and the sanctity of God's appointed order. The outcome will be clear: God himself will unequivocally identify His chosen one as the "holy one" designated for priestly service. Moses’ direct rebuke, "You take too much upon yourselves, sons of Levi!", highlights the sin of presumption (presumption being acting on authority one doesn't possess). Korah and his fellow Levites, entrusted with Tabernacle duties, were not content with their vital yet distinct roles, coveting the exclusive Aaronic priesthood. Their error was not questioning general holiness (indeed, all Israel was called holy, Ex 19:6), but violating the clear, divine boundaries between their Levitical service and the Aaronic priesthood. This verse sets the stage for God's demonstration that true access to His presence and authority comes not from self-proclamation or collective agreement, but solely from His sovereign call and consecration.For believers today, this story emphasizes the importance of respecting God-given authority within the church, avoiding arrogance or coveting positions not divinely appointed, and understanding that genuine service is rooted in humility and obedience to God's order, not self-exaltation.