Numbers 16:40 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The altar covering serves as a permanent memorial forbidding non-Aaronites from offering incense, lest they repeat Korah's offense.
The Context of Numbers 16:40
The memorial establishes a perpetual boundary: only Aaronites may offer incense.
What Does Numbers 16:40 Mean?
The inscription and function of the altar covering make clear the consequence of crossing the boundary God set. Any future attempt to offer incense without Aaronic authorization would repeat Korah's sin and invite the same judgment.
'As the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses' affirms that the entire narrative—from the test to the judgment to the memorial—is God's action accomplished through Moses.
Numbers 16:40 in the Original Language
זָר (zar, 'stranger') — one who is not qualified, not of the proper descent; this reinforces that priesthood is by divine appointment, not by ambition or claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 16:40
What does Numbers 16:40 mean?
The altar covering serves as a permanent memorial forbidding non-Aaronites from offering incense, lest they repeat Korah's offense.
What is the context of Numbers 16:40?
The memorial establishes a perpetual boundary: only Aaronites may offer incense.