Bible Strands
Numbers 16:47
So Aaron took the censer as Moses had ordered and ran into the midst of the assembly. And seeing that the plague had begun among the people, he offered the incense and made atonement for the people.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Aaron acts on Moses’ direct command during the outbreak of a lethal plague among the Israelite assembly. He enters the congregation to intervene between God’s judgment and the people.
The words — וַ/יָּ֙רָץ (va/i.Ya.rotz) translates literally as “and he ran,” emphasizing immediate movement. תּ֣וֹך (Tokh) denotes “the middle of,” specifying Aaron’s precise location within the gathering.
The thread — This intervention fulfills Moses’ earlier command in Numbers 16:46 and parallels the intercessory posture described in Deuteronomy 33:10. It also stands in contrast to the delayed response seen in Numbers 25:6.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that swift obedience to divine instruction halts judgment. Readers must see that atonement requires direct action, not passive observation.
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
And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.
Cross-references
- Numbers 16:46 Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.”
- Numbers 25:6 Just then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
- Deuteronomy 33:10 He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar.
- Psalms 106:29 So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them.
- Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
- Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
- Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.