Numbers 16:38
The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
אֵ֡ת
H853
אֵ֡ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנַפְשֹׁתָ֗ם
against their own souls
H5315
בְּנַפְשֹׁתָ֗ם
against their own souls
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְעָשׂ֨וּ
let them make
H6213
וְעָשׂ֨וּ
let them make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֹתָ֜ם
H853
אֹתָ֜ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִקְרִיבֻ֥ם
for they offered
H7126
הִקְרִיבֻ֥ם
for they offered
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
13 of 20
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
לִפְנֵֽי
them before
H6440
לִפְנֵֽי
them before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
14 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיִּקְדָּ֑שׁוּ
therefore they are hallowed
H6942
וַיִּקְדָּ֑שׁוּ
therefore they are hallowed
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
16 of 20
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
וְיִֽהְי֥וּ
H1961
וְיִֽהְי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
17 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְא֖וֹת
and they shall be a sign
H226
לְא֖וֹת
and they shall be a sign
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
18 of 20
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
Cross References
Proverbs 20:2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.2 Peter 2:6And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;Ezekiel 14:8And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.Numbers 26:10And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.Habakkuk 2:10Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul.1 Kings 2:23Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.Numbers 17:10And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.
Historical Context
The bronze plating covered the altar throughout Israel's wilderness period and possibly into the temple era. Every sacrifice thereafter occurred upon a surface incorporating the censers of rebellion—a perpetual sermon in metal. This memorial anticipated Hebrews 12:18-29, which contrasts Sinai's terror with Zion's grace while warning that "our God is a consuming fire."
Questions for Reflection
- How does God redeeming instruments of sin for memorial purposes demonstrate His sovereignty over human rebellion?
- What does it mean to sin "against your own soul"—destroying yourself through defiance of God's order?
- How should visible memorials of past judgment inform present worship and obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"The censers of these sinners against their own souls"—the Hebrew nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ, soul/life) indicates they sinned to their own destruction. Their rebellion wasn't merely against Moses but self-destructive defiance of God's order. The phrase "let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar" transforms instruments of presumptuous worship into permanent fixtures of legitimate worship.
"For they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed"—this is staggering theology: the censers gained permanent holiness through being presented to Yahweh, despite the offerers' unworthiness. The memorial would be "a sign unto the children of Israel" ('owth, אוֹת)—like the Sabbath sign (Exodus 31:13), a visible perpetual reminder of covenant boundaries and divine prerogatives.