Numbers 16:40

Authorized 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
זִכָּר֞וֹן
H2146
To be a memorial
a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
#2
לִבְנֵ֣י
H1121
unto the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
לְ֠מַעַן
H4616
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
#5
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
that
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
לֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#7
יִקְרַ֜ב
H7126
come near
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#8
אִ֣ישׁ
H376
no stranger
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)
#9
זָ֗ר
H2114
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
#10
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
that
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
לֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#12
מִזֶּ֤רַע
H2233
which is not of the seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#13
אַֽהֲרֹן֙
H175
of Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#14
ה֔וּא
H1931
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
#15
לְהַקְטִ֥יר
H6999
to offer
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
#16
קְטֹ֖רֶת
H7004
incense
a fumigation
#17
לִפְנֵ֣י
H6440
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#18
יְהוָ֛ה
H3068
as the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#19
וְלֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#20
יִהְיֶ֤ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#21
כְקֹ֙רַח֙
H7141
that he be not as Korah
korach, the name of two edomites and three israelites
#22
וְכַ֣עֲדָת֔וֹ
H5712
and as his company
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
#23
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
that
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#24
דִּבֶּ֧ר
H1696
said
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#25
יְהוָ֛ה
H3068
as the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#26
בְּיַד
H3027
to him by the hand
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
#27
מֹשֶׁ֖ה
H4872
of Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#28
לֽוֹ׃
H0

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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