Numbers 16:35 Meaning and Explanation
“And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Fire from the Lord consumes the 250 men who offered incense.
The Context of Numbers 16:35
The 250 followers are judged by fire from the Lord.
What Does Numbers 16:35 Mean?
While Korah and the principal rebels are swallowed by the earth, the 250 followers who prepared the censers are consumed by divine fire. Their judgment is separate but equally decisive.
The fire consumes those who took the specific action of offering incense, suggesting that their active participation in the priestly claim made them liable to this form of judgment.
Numbers 16:35 in the Original Language
אֵשׁ (esh, 'fire') — God's fire, distinguishing it from ordinary burning; this is fire sent directly from God as judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 16:35
What does Numbers 16:35 mean?
Fire from the Lord consumes the 250 men who offered incense.
What is the context of Numbers 16:35?
The 250 followers are judged by fire from the Lord.