Numbers 16:46
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְתֶן
and put
H5414
וְתֶן
and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 27
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עָלֶ֨יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֨יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מֵעַ֤ל
H5921
מֵעַ֤ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְשִׂ֣ים
and put
H7760
וְשִׂ֣ים
and put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
13 of 27
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
וְהוֹלֵ֧ךְ
H1980
וְהוֹלֵ֧ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
15 of 27
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
הָֽעֵדָ֖ה
unto the congregation
H5712
הָֽעֵדָ֖ה
unto the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
18 of 27
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
וְכַפֵּ֣ר
and make an atonement
H3722
וְכַפֵּ֣ר
and make an atonement
Strong's:
H3722
Word #:
19 of 27
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
21 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָצָ֥א
gone out
H3318
יָצָ֥א
gone out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
22 of 27
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִלִּפְנֵ֥י
therein from off
H6440
מִלִּפְנֵ֥י
therein from off
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
24 of 27
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
from the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
from the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
25 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Numbers 8:19And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.Leviticus 10:6And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.Psalms 106:29Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.1 Chronicles 27:24Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.Numbers 18:5And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.Numbers 11:33And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.Psalms 141:2Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Historical Context
Aaron's action prefigures Christ's intercessory work, standing between holy God and sinful humanity. The incense represents prayer (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8), and Aaron's priesthood typifies Christ's eternal high priesthood (Hebrews 7:23-25).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Aaron's standing between dead and living picture Christ's mediatorial work?
- What does priestly intercession halting plague teach about the power of prayer?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
As plague begins killing the congregation, Moses tells Aaron 'Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them.' The very priestly ministry Korah's rebellion challenged now provides salvation from God's wrath. Aaron's intercession between living and dead demonstrates the mediator's essential role.