Numbers 16:39
Numbers 16:39 in Multiple Translations
So 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,
And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:
And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, which they that were burnt had offered; and they beat them out for a covering of the altar,
So Eleazar the priest took the brass vessels which had been offered by those who were burned up, and they were hammered out to make a cover for the altar:
So Eleazar the priest collected the bronze incense burners used by those who had been burned up, and had them hammered out as a covering for the altar,
Then Eleazar the Priest tooke the brasen censers, which they, that were burnt, had offred, and made broade plates of them for a couering of the Altar.
And Eleazar the priest taketh the brazen censers which they who are burnt had brought near, and they spread them out, a covering for the altar —
Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers which those who were burned had offered; and they beat them out for a covering of the altar,
And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, with which they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:
Then Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, wherein they had offered, whom the burning fire had devoured, and beat them into plates, fastening them to the altar:
So Eleazar the priest collected the 250 pans for burning incense that had been used by the men who died in the fire. He hammered the pans very thin to make a covering for the altar, as Yahweh told Moses/me should be done.
Study Notes — Numbers 16:39
Context — The Censers Reserved for Holy Use
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. 41The next day the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the LORD’s people!”Numbers 16:39 Summary
[This verse shows how God can take something that was used for rebellion and make it into something beautiful and useful for His purposes. The bronze censers, which were used by the people who disobeyed God, were melted down and used to overlay the altar, which was a symbol of God's presence. This reminds us that God is a God of second chances, who can take our mistakes and use them for His glory, as seen in 1 Peter 2:9-10. By following God's commands, like Eleazar did, we can be a part of His plan to redeem and restore all things, as stated in Revelation 21:5.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the bronze censers in Numbers 16:39?
The bronze censers represent the instruments used by the rebels who challenged God's authority, and now they are being repurposed to overlay the altar, symbolizing God's redemption and sanctification of even the most rebellious elements, as seen in Numbers 16:38.
Why did Eleazar the priest take the bronze censers and hammer them out to overlay the altar?
Eleazar followed God's command through Moses, as stated in Numbers 16:40, to use the censers as a reminder to the Israelites of the importance of following God's instructions and respecting the priesthood, as ordained in Exodus 30:7-8.
How does this verse relate to the concept of holiness in the Bible?
This verse highlights the idea that objects and people can be set apart for God's use, as seen in the censers being considered holy in Numbers 16:38, and that God can take even the most mundane or rebellious elements and make them holy, as stated in 2 Timothy 2:21.
What can we learn from the way the censers were repurposed in this verse?
We can learn that God is a God of redemption and restoration, who can take our mistakes and failures and use them for His glory, as seen in Romans 8:28 and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I have rebelled against God, and how can I allow Him to redeem and restore them?
- How can I, like Eleazar, obey God's commands even when they seem difficult or unclear, and trust in His sovereignty, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6?
- In what ways can I use my experiences, both successes and failures, to serve as a reminder to others of God's power and redemption, as seen in Psalm 107:2?
- How can I cultivate a sense of reverence and respect for God's holiness, as demonstrated in this verse, in my daily life and worship, as commanded in Hebrews 12:28-29?