Numbers 16:40
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.
Original Language Analysis
זִכָּר֞וֹן
To be a memorial
H2146
זִכָּר֞וֹן
To be a memorial
Strong's:
H2146
Word #:
1 of 28
a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
לִבְנֵ֣י
unto the children
H1121
לִבְנֵ֣י
unto the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 28
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְ֠מַעַן
H4616
לְ֠מַעַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
4 of 28
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
that
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
that
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִקְרַ֜ב
come near
H7126
יִקְרַ֜ב
come near
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
7 of 28
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
אִ֣ישׁ
no stranger
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
no stranger
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 28
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)
זָ֗ר
H2114
זָ֗ר
Strong's:
H2114
Word #:
9 of 28
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
that
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
that
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מִזֶּ֤רַע
which is not of the seed
H2233
מִזֶּ֤רַע
which is not of the seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
12 of 28
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
ה֔וּא
H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
14 of 28
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לְהַקְטִ֥יר
to offer
H6999
לְהַקְטִ֥יר
to offer
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
15 of 28
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
17 of 28
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֛ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִהְיֶ֤ה
H1961
יִהְיֶ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
20 of 28
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְקֹ֙רַח֙
that he be not as Korah
H7141
כְקֹ֙רַח֙
that he be not as Korah
Strong's:
H7141
Word #:
21 of 28
korach, the name of two edomites and three israelites
וְכַ֣עֲדָת֔וֹ
and as his company
H5712
וְכַ֣עֲדָת֔וֹ
and as his company
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
22 of 28
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
that
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
that
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֧ר
said
H1696
דִּבֶּ֧ר
said
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
24 of 28
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֛ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
25 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּיַד
to him by the hand
H3027
בְּיַד
to him by the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
26 of 28
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Historical Context
This memorial functioned throughout Israel's history until the first temple's destruction (586 BC). The altar plating reminded Israel for over 800 years that God determines access terms. The New Testament transforms the principle—Christ's exclusive mediation (1 Timothy 2:5) fulfills Aaronic exclusivity, not abolishing but perfecting the requirement for appointed access to God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's exclusive priesthood fulfill rather than contradict the Aaronic memorial's warning?
- Why does God insist on appointed mediators rather than allowing direct individual access on human terms?
- In what ways do modern worship innovations risk the presumption Korah's memorial warns against?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"To be a memorial unto the children of Israel"—zikaron (זִכָּרוֹן) means a reminder, memorial, or monument designed to prevent forgetting. The specific warning: "that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD"—defines "stranger" (zar, זָר) as anyone outside Aaron's lineage. This exclusivity offends democratic sensibilities but establishes that access to God comes through His appointed means, not human presumption.
"That he be not as Korah, and as his company"—the memorial warns future generations that Korah's fate awaits those who reject God's mediatorial order. Hebrews 10:19-22 reveals Christ as the fulfillment—we now approach through His priesthood alone, making unauthorized worship still deadly (Hebrews 10:26-31).