Numbers 16:37
"Tell Eleazar son of Aaron the priest to remove the censers from the flames and to scatter the coals far away, because the censers are holy.
Tell Eleazar son of Aaron the priest
Eleazar, the son of Aaron, was a prominent figure in the priestly lineage, serving as a high priest after Aaron. His role signifies the continuation of the priestly duties and the importance of maintaining holiness and order in worship. This command to Eleazar highlights the responsibility of the priesthood to uphold God's instructions and the sanctity of sacred objects.

to remove the censers from the flames
The censers were used by Korah and his followers in their rebellion against Moses and Aaron. The act of removing them from the flames signifies the end of the rebellion and God's judgment upon those who opposed His chosen leaders. The censers, though used improperly, were still considered holy due to their intended purpose in worship.

and to scatter the coals far away
Scattering the coals symbolizes the dispersal of the rebellion and the cleansing of the camp from the impurity associated with the insurrection. It serves as a physical act of purification, ensuring that the remnants of the rebellion do not defile the community. This action reflects the broader biblical theme of separating the holy from the profane.

because the censers are holy
Despite being used in a sinful act, the censers themselves were consecrated for worship. This underscores the principle that objects dedicated to God retain their sanctity, regardless of human misuse. It also serves as a reminder of the seriousness with which God views the instruments of worship and the need for reverence in handling them. This concept is echoed in other scriptures where items dedicated to God are treated with utmost respect.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Eleazar
The son of Aaron, the high priest. Eleazar is tasked with removing the censers from the flames, signifying his role in maintaining the sanctity of the priesthood and the tabernacle.

2. Aaron
The high priest and brother of Moses. Aaron's lineage is affirmed through this event, as his son Eleazar is given a priestly duty.

3. The Censers
These are the bronze firepans used by Korah and his followers in their rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Despite their misuse, they are considered holy because they were offered before the LORD.

4. The Flames
The fire that consumed Korah and his followers as a divine judgment for their rebellion. The flames serve as a reminder of God's holiness and justice.

5. The Rebellion of Korah
A significant event where Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their followers challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron, resulting in their destruction by divine intervention.
Teaching Points
The Holiness of God
God's holiness demands reverence and obedience. The censers, though used in rebellion, were still considered holy because they were offered before the LORD. This teaches us to approach God with the utmost respect and adherence to His commands.

The Role of Leadership
God appoints leaders for His purposes. The affirmation of Aaron's priesthood through Eleazar's actions reminds us to respect and support God-ordained leadership within the church.

The Consequences of Rebellion
Rebellion against God's appointed leaders and His commands leads to severe consequences. This serves as a warning to remain faithful and obedient to God's Word.

Redemption and Restoration
Even in judgment, there is a path to redemption. The censers, once used in rebellion, are repurposed for holy use, symbolizing God's ability to restore and redeem.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of Eleazar in this passage reflect the responsibilities of spiritual leaders today?

2. In what ways does the holiness of the censers, despite their misuse, challenge us to view our own acts of worship?

3. How can the account of Korah's rebellion serve as a warning against disobedience and pride in our own lives?

4. What parallels can you draw between the judgment seen in Numbers 16 and other biblical accounts of divine justice?

5. How can we apply the principle of redemption and restoration, as seen in the repurposing of the censers, to our personal spiritual journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 10
The death of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons, for offering unauthorized fire before the LORD. This event parallels the judgment on Korah's followers and underscores the importance of approaching God with reverence and obedience.

Hebrews 12
The New Testament speaks of God as a consuming fire, emphasizing His holiness and the need for reverence, much like the judgment seen in Numbers 16.

1 Samuel 15
The account of Saul's disobedience highlights the importance of obedience over sacrifice, similar to the rebellion of Korah where improper worship led to judgment.
Korah's RebellionW. Binnie Numbers 16:19-22, 41-50
Divine EconomyJ. Parker, D. D.Numbers 16:37-40
People
Aaron, Abiram, Dathan, Eleazar, Eliab, Israelites, Izhar, Kohath, Korah, Levi, Levites, Moses, Pallu, Peleth, Reuben, Reubenites
Places
Wilderness of Paran
Topics
Aaron, Abroad, Afar, Blaze, Burning, Censers, Coals, Distance, Eleazar, Elea'zar, Fire, Fire-pans, Flames, Hallowed, Holy, Lifteth, Midst, Perfumes, Priest, Remains, Scatter, Smoldering, Speak, Turning, Vessels, Wide, Yonder
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 16:1-50

     5550   speech, negative

Numbers 16:31-40

     4303   metals

Numbers 16:35-38

     4318   coal

Library
September 3. "The God of Israel Hath Separated You" (Num. xvi. 9).
"The God of Israel hath separated you" (Num. xvi. 9). The little plant may grow out of a manure heap, and be surrounded by filth, and covered very often with the floating dust that is borne upon the breeze, but its white roots are separated from the unclean soil, and its leaves and flowers have no affinity with the dust that settles upon them; and after a shower of summer rain they throw off every particle of defilement, and look up, as fresh and spotless as before, for their intrinsic nature cannot
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Death Swallowed up in victory
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory! D eath, simply considered, is no more than the cessation of life --that which was once living, lives no longer. But it has been the general, perhaps the universal custom of mankind, to personify it. Imagination gives death a formidable appearance, arms it with a dart, sting or scythe, and represents it as an active, inexorable and invincible reality. In this view death is a great devourer; with his iron tongue
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned Involuntarily?
Objection 1: It seems that vengeance should be taken on those who have sinned involuntarily. For the will of one man does not follow from the will of another. Yet one man is punished for another, according to Ex. 20:5, "I am . . . God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation." Thus for the sin of Cham, his son Chanaan was curse (Gn. 9:25) and for the sin of Giezi, his descendants were struck with leprosy (4 Kings 5). Again the blood
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Conflict.
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
Presented to the World in a Familiar Dialogue Between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. By John Bunyan ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The life of Badman is a very interesting description, a true and lively portraiture, of the demoralized classes of the trading community in the reign of King Charles II; a subject which naturally led the author to use expressions familiar among such persons, but which are now either obsolete or considered as vulgar. In fact it is the only work proceeding from the prolific
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Numbers 16:37 NIV
Numbers 16:37 NLT
Numbers 16:37 ESV
Numbers 16:37 NASB
Numbers 16:37 KJV

Numbers 16:37 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Numbers 16:36
Top of Page
Top of Page