Bible Strands
Numbers 16:40
just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator concludes the Korah rebellion account by explaining the purpose of the bronze altar overlay. The passage addresses the Israelites to establish the permanent boundaries of priestly service.
The words — The Hebrew זִכָּר֞וֹן (zi.karon) means a permanent reminder, and לֹֽא־יִקְרַ֜ב (lo'-yik.rav) literally means he shall not draw near. These terms function as a legal marker restricting religious access.
The thread — The prohibition against unauthorized priests appears in Numbers 3:10 and Numbers 18:4, and is demonstrated by Uzziah’s fatal overreach in 2 Chronicles 26:16. These texts collectively enforce the exclusive Aaronic priesthood.
Why it lands — The text states that only Aaron’s descendants may approach to offer incense before the LORD. Readers must acknowledge that divine command, not human status, determines legitimate access to holy service.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the Lord said to him by the hand of Moses.
Cross-references
- Numbers 3:10 So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.”
- Numbers 18:4 They are to join you and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting, doing all the work at the Tent; but no outsider may come near you.
- 2 Chronicles 26:16 But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
- Exodus 30:7 And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps.
- Leviticus 22:10 No one outside a priest’s family may eat the sacred offering, nor may the guest of a priest or his hired hand eat it.
- Numbers 1:51 Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever it is to be pitched, the Levites are to set it up. Any outsider who goes near it must be put to death.
- Numbers 3:38 Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, before the Tent of Meeting. They were to perform the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites; but any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.
- 1 Kings 13:1 Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD.
- Jude 1:11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed for profit into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.