Numbers 16:38
Numbers 16:38 in Multiple Translations
As for the censers of those who sinned at the cost of their own lives, hammer them into sheets to overlay the altar, for these were presented before the LORD, and so have become holy. They will serve as a sign to the Israelites.”
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.
even the censers of these sinners against their own lives; and let them be made beaten plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before Jehovah; therefore they are holy; and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.
And let the vessels of those men, who with their lives have made payment for their sin, be hammered out into plates as a cover for the altar; for they have been offered before the Lord and are holy; so that they may be a sign to the children of Israel.
Have the incense burners of those who sinned at the expense of their own lives hammered into metal sheets as a covering for the altar, because they were offered before the Lord, and so have become holy. They will be a reminder to Israelites of what happened.”
The censers, I say, of these sinners, that destroyed themselues: and let them make of them broade plates for a couering of the Altar: for they offered them before the Lord, therefore they shalbe holy, and they shall be a signe vnto the children of Israel.
[even] the censers of these sinners against their own souls; and they have made them spread-out plates, a covering for the altar, for they have brought them near before Jehovah, and they are hallowed; and they are become a sign to the sons of Israel.'
even the censers of those who sinned against their own lives. Let them be beaten into plates for a covering of the altar, for they offered them before the LORD. Therefore they are holy. They shall be a sign to the children of Israel.”
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 to the children of Israel.
In the deaths of the sinners: and let him beat them into plates, and fasten them to the altar, because incense hath been offered in them to the Lord, and they are sanctified, that the children of Israel may see them for a sign and a memorial.
Those men have now died because of their sin; so Eleazar must take their pans and hammer the metal to make it become very thin. He must make a covering for the altar with that metal. Those pans were used to offer incense to me, so they are ◄holy/dedicated to me►. What happened to those pans will now warn the Israeli people.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 16:38
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Study Notes — Numbers 16:38
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 16:38 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 16:38
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 16:38
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 16:38
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 16:38
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 16:38
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 16:38
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 16:38
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 16:38
- Sermons on Numbers 16:38
Context — The Censers Reserved for Holy Use
38As for the censers of those who sinned at the cost of their own lives, hammer them into sheets to overlay the altar, for these were presented before the LORD, and so have become holy. They will serve as a sign to the Israelites.”
39So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned up, and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar, 40just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 26:10 | And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 14:8 | I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb; I will cut him off from among My people. Then you will know that I am the LORD. |
| 3 | 2 Peter 2:6 | if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly; |
| 4 | Proverbs 20:2 | The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 2:23 | Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life. |
| 6 | Numbers 17:10 | The LORD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebellious, so that you may put an end to their grumbling against Me, lest they die.” |
| 7 | Habakkuk 2:10 | You have plotted shame for your house by cutting off many peoples and forfeiting your life. |
| 8 | Proverbs 8:36 | But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” |
| 9 | Proverbs 1:18 | But they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives. |
| 10 | Numbers 16:40 | just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers. |
Numbers 16:38 Summary
The censers in Numbers 16:38 were used by people who sinned against God, but because they were presented before Him, they became holy. This means that even though we may have used things for wrong purposes, God can still use them for good if we give them to Him. Just like the censers were hammered into sheets to overlay the altar, we can be transformed and used by God for holy purposes (as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:17). This reminds us that we should strive to live a life that is pleasing to God, just like the Israelites were reminded of the importance of only authorized priests offering incense before the Lord (Numbers 16:40).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the censers in Numbers 16:38?
The censers, which were used by those who sinned at the cost of their own lives, were to be hammered into sheets to overlay the altar, signifying that even though they were used for sinful purposes, they had been presented before the Lord and had become holy, as seen in Numbers 16:38, and this concept is also reflected in 2 Timothy 2:21 where it talks about being set apart for holy use.
Why were the censers to be made into sheets to overlay the altar?
The censers were to be made into sheets to overlay the altar to serve as a sign to the Israelites, reminding them of the importance of only authorized priests offering incense before the Lord, as commanded in Numbers 16:40, and this principle is also seen in Hebrews 13:10-12 where it talks about the altar and those who serve at it.
What does it mean that the censers 'have become holy'?
The censers 'have become holy' because they were presented before the Lord, even though they were used by those who sinned, and this is similar to how in 1 Corinthians 1:2, believers are called holy because they have been set apart by God, and in 2 Corinthians 5:21, Jesus is said to have been made sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
How does this verse relate to the concept of sanctification?
This verse relates to the concept of sanctification in that it shows how objects, and by extension people, can be set apart for holy use, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, where believers are called to live a life of sanctification, and in 1 Peter 1:15-16, where it talks about being holy in all our conduct.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things in my life that I have used for sinful purposes, but can now be used for holy purposes?
- How can I apply the principle of being set apart for holy use in my daily life, just like the censers were set apart?
- What are some signs or reminders that I can put in place to help me remember the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God?
- How can I use my experiences, both good and bad, as a sign to others of the importance of following God's commands?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 16:38
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 16:38
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 16:38
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 16:38
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 16:38
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 16:38
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 16:38
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 16:38
Sermons on Numbers 16:38
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Damnation of Hell - Part 1 (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the consequences of rejecting God and living a life of sin. He vividly describes the torment and despair that awaits those who die without r |
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Marks of a False Prophet by L.R. Shelton Jr | In this sermon, the preacher, an old man, addresses his flock with a sense of urgency as he is about to leave this world. He emphasizes the need to prepare for the perilous times t |
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Escape for Thy Life by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that the Gospel is both bad news and good news. He explains that the world we live in is under the judgment of God because it opposes His wi |
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Genesis 13 by Robert F. Adcock | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the rebellious spirit of the world against God and the need for humility and submission to His will. He contrasts this with the story of Jos |
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Cross: Pardon by the Cross by G. Campbell Morgan | Greek Word Studies preaches on the concept of 'ruin' (katastrophe), which signifies total destruction and turning things upside down. This state of ruin can be seen in the downfall |
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Get Out of Sodom! by Allan Halton | Allan Halton delivers a powerful sermon warning about the moral decay and blasphemy in society, drawing parallels between the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and the current st |
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Part 23: Premillennialism and the Tribulation by John F. Walvoord | John F. Walvoord preaches on the nature of the tribulation, emphasizing the importance of a literal interpretation of Scripture to understand that the church of the present age wil |