Numbers 16:18
And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקְח֞וּ
And they took
H3947
וַיִּקְח֞וּ
And they took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
1 of 15
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 15
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ
and put
H5414
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ
and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ
in them and laid
H7760
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ
in them and laid
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
7 of 15
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וַיַּֽעַמְד֗וּ
thereon and stood
H5975
וַיַּֽעַמְד֗וּ
thereon and stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
10 of 15
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
פֶּ֛תַח
in the door
H6607
פֶּ֛תַח
in the door
Strong's:
H6607
Word #:
11 of 15
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
אֹ֥הֶל
of the tabernacle
H168
אֹ֥הֶל
of the tabernacle
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
12 of 15
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מוֹעֵ֖ד
of the congregation
H4150
מוֹעֵ֖ד
of the congregation
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
Historical Context
The tabernacle's door was the threshold between common and sacred space. The Levites could enter the courtyard but not the Holy Place where incense was offered. Korah's clan (Kohathites) carried the most sacred furniture but couldn't touch it on pain of death (Numbers 4:15)—close proximity bred resentment.
Questions for Reflection
- When has comparison with others' gifts or callings led you to despise your own God-given role?
- How do you distinguish between righteous zeal for God's house and selfish ambition dressed in spiritual language?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon—Korah's followers proceed with the forbidden liturgy, brazenly standing in the door of the tabernacle (petaḥ 'ohel mo'ed, פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד) with Moses and Aaron. This wasn't private worship but public confrontation at God's dwelling place. By igniting their censers, they committed an act of worship reserved exclusively for consecrated priests.
Their willingness to proceed reveals how ideology blinds: they'd convinced themselves that democratic egalitarianism ('we're all holy') overrode explicit divine command. The tragedy is that Levites did have a holy calling—bearing the tabernacle (Numbers 4)—but coveted a role God hadn't assigned. This is ministry envy, not humble service.