Numbers 16:35 - Fire came out from Yahweh, and devoured the two hundred fifty men who offered the incense.

Generated Verse: Numbers 16:35

What does "Numbers 16:35" mean?


Numbers 16 tells the story of Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron's leadership. Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and On, and 250 leaders of the congregation, challenged Moses and Aaron's authority to lead the people and perform priestly duties. They argued that all the congregation was holy and therefore deserved access to God.

Verse 16:35 describes the divine judgment upon the 250 men who offered incense:

"Fire came out from Yahweh...": This phrase indicates that the fire was not of natural origin, but was sent directly by God. It highlights God's power and his direct intervention in the situation.
"...and devoured the two hundred fifty men who offered the incense.": This specifies that the fire consumed the 250 men who were participating in the rebellion by offering incense. Offering incense was a priestly duty, and by doing so, they were directly challenging Aaron's divinely appointed role as high priest.

Meaning and Significance:

Divine Judgment: The fire represents God's judgment and punishment for their rebellion and challenge to his chosen leaders. It demonstrates that God takes challenges to his authority seriously.
Affirmation of Leadership: The destruction of the 250 men served as a clear sign to the Israelites that God had indeed chosen Moses and Aaron to lead them and that their authority was divinely ordained.
Holiness and Order: The event highlights the importance of God's holiness and the need for order and obedience within the community. Not everyone was authorized to perform priestly duties, and attempting to usurp that role had serious consequences.
Warning: It served as a warning to the Israelites against future rebellions and challenges to God's chosen leaders.

In essence, the verse describes God's dramatic and immediate response to the rebellion. It reinforces the idea that God is sovereign, he chooses his leaders, and disobedience has dire consequences.

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