Numbers 16:46
New International Version
Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has started.”

New Living Translation
And Moses said to Aaron, “Quick, take an incense burner and place burning coals on it from the altar. Lay incense on it, and carry it out among the people to purify them and make them right with the LORD. The LORD’s anger is blazing against them—the plague has already begun.”

English Standard Version
And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the LORD; the plague has begun.”

Berean Standard Bible
Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.”

King James Bible
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.

New King James Version
So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar, put incense on it, and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the LORD. The plague has begun.”

New American Standard Bible
And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put fire in it from the altar, and place incense on it; then bring it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the LORD, the plague has begun!”

NASB 1995
Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put in it fire from the altar, and lay incense on it; then bring it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone forth from the LORD, the plague has begun!”

NASB 1977
And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put in it fire from the altar, and lay incense on it; then bring it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone forth from the LORD, the plague has begun!”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put in it fire from the altar, and lay incense on it; then bring it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone forth from Yahweh, the plague has begun!”

Amplified Bible
Moses said to Aaron, “Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar and lay incense on it; then bring it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone forth from the LORD; the plague has begun!”

Christian Standard Bible
Then Moses told Aaron, “Take your firepan, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the community and make atonement for them, because wrath has come from the LORD; the plague has begun.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Moses told Aaron, “Take your firepan, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the community and make atonement for them, because wrath has come from the LORD; the plague has begun.”

American Standard Version
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take thy censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and lay incense thereon, and carry it quickly unto the congregation, and make atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from Jehovah; the plague is begun.

Contemporary English Version
Then Moses told Aaron, "Grab your fire pan and fill it with hot coals from the altar. Put incense in it, then quickly take it to where the people are and offer it to the LORD, so they can be forgiven. The LORD is very angry, and people have already started dying!"

English Revised Version
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take thy censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and lay incense thereon, and carry it quickly unto the congregation, and make atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Moses said to Aaron, "Take your incense burner, put burning coals from the altar and incense in it, and go quickly into the community to make peace with the LORD for the people. The LORD is showing his anger; a plague has started."

Good News Translation
and Moses said to Aaron, "Take your fire pan, put live coals from the altar in it, and put some incense on the coals. Then hurry with it to the people and perform the ritual of purification for them. Hurry! The LORD's anger has already broken out and an epidemic has already begun."

International Standard Version
Then Moses told Aaron. "Take the censer, put fire on it from the altar, and burn some incense. Then walk quickly to the congregation and atone for them, because wrath has already come out from the LORD—the plague has begun."

Majority Standard Bible
Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.”

NET Bible
Then Moses said to Aaron, "Take the censer, put burning coals from the altar in it, place incense on it, and go quickly into the assembly and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the LORD--the plague has begun!"

New Heart English Bible
Moses said to Aaron, "Take your censer, and put fire from off the altar in it, and lay incense on it, and carry it quickly to the congregation, and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the LORD. The plague has begun."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Moses said to Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire in it from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly to the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.

World English Bible
Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, put fire from the altar in it, lay incense on it, carry it quickly to the congregation, and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from Yahweh! The plague has begun.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Moses says to Aaron, “Take the censer and put fire on it from off the altar, and place incense, and go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for the wrath has gone out from the presence of YHWH—the plague has begun.”

Young's Literal Translation
and Moses saith unto Aaron, 'Take the censer, and put on it fire from off the altar, and place perfume, and go, hasten unto the company, and make atonement for them, for the wrath hath gone out from the presence of Jehovah -- the plague hath begun.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses will say to Aaron, Take a censer and give upon it fire from off the altar, and put incense, and go quickly to the assembly, and expiate for them: for anger went forth from before Jehovah; for it began smiting.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Moses said to Aaron: Take the censer, and putting fire in it from the altar, put incense upon it, and go quickly to the people to pray for them: for already wrath is gone out from the Lord, and the plague rageth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Moses said to Aaron: “Take the censer, and draw fire into it from the altar; place incense upon it, and continue on, quickly, to the people, to pray for them. For already wrath has gone forth from the Lord, and the scourge rages.”

New American Bible
Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, put fire from the altar in it, lay incense on it, and bring it quickly to the community to make atonement for them; for wrath has come forth from the LORD and the plague has begun.”

New Revised Standard Version
Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, put fire on it from the altar and lay incense on it, and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them. For wrath has gone out from the LORD; the plague has begun.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Moses said to Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and carry it quickly to the congregation, and make an atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from before the LORD; the plague has already begun among the people.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe said to Ahron: “Take a censer and put fire in it and put incense in it and take quickly to the assembly and atone for them, because wrath has gone out from before LORD JEHOVAH; and the plague began suddenly among the people.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Moses said unto Aaron: 'Take thy fire-pan, and put fire therein from off the altar, and lay incense thereon, and carry it quickly unto the congregation, and make atonement for them; for there is wrath gone out from the LORD: the plague is begun.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses said to Aaron, Take a censer, and put on it fire from the altar, and put incense on it, and carry it away quickly into the camp, and make atonement for them; for wrath is gone forth from the presence of the Lord, it has begun to destroy the people.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Murmuring and Plague
45“Get away from this congregation so that I may consume them in an instant.” And Moses and Aaron fell facedown. 46Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.” 47So Aaron took the censer as Moses had ordered and ran into the midst of the assembly. And seeing that the plague had begun among the people, he offered the incense and made atonement for the people.…

Cross References
Leviticus 16:12-13
Then he must take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and take them inside the veil. / He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony, so that he will not die.

Hebrews 9:4
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Revelation 8:3-5
Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. / And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel. / Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

Exodus 30:7-10
And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps. / When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense perpetually before the LORD for the generations to come. / On this altar you must not offer unauthorized incense or a burnt offering or grain offering; nor are you to pour a drink offering on it. ...

2 Samuel 24:15-25
So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. / But when the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand now!” At that time the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. / When David saw the angel striking down the people, he said to the LORD, “Surely I, the shepherd, have sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please, let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house.” ...

Psalm 106:29-30
So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. / But Phinehas stood and intervened, and the plague was restrained.

1 Chronicles 21:26-27
And there he built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. He called upon the LORD, who answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering. / Then the LORD spoke to the angel, who put his sword back into its sheath.

Hebrews 7:25
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

1 John 2:1-2
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. / He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Romans 8:34
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.

Isaiah 6:6-7
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. / And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.”

Ezekiel 9:4-6
“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.” / And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.

Malachi 1:11
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Luke 1:10
And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.


Treasury of Scripture

And Moses said to Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly to the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.

from off

Leviticus 9:24
And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Leviticus 10:1
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

Leviticus 16:12,13
And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: …

and put

Psalm 141:2
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Malachi 1:11
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

an atonement

Exodus 30:7-10
And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it…

Leviticus 16:11-16
And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself: …

1 John 2:1,2
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: …

there is wrath

Numbers 1:53
But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.

Numbers 8:19
And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.

Numbers 11:33
And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.

the plague is begun.

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Aaron Altar Atonement Begun Carry Censer Congregation Incense Lay Moses Plague Quickly Therein Thereon Wrath
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Aaron Altar Atonement Begun Carry Censer Congregation Incense Lay Moses Plague Quickly Therein Thereon Wrath
Numbers 16
1. The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram
23. Moses separates the people from the rebels' tents
31. The earth swallows up Korah, and a fire consumes others
36. The censers are reserved to holy use
41. 14,700 are slain by a plague, for murmuring against Moses and Aaron
46. Aaron by incense stays the plague














So Moses said to Aaron
This phrase highlights the leadership and intercessory role of Moses. In the Hebrew context, Moses is often seen as a mediator between God and the Israelites. His directive to Aaron underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation. Moses, as a prophet and leader, is acting swiftly to prevent further disaster, demonstrating his deep concern for the people and his understanding of God's holiness and justice.

Take the censer
The censer, a vessel used for burning incense, is significant in the Hebrew tradition as a symbol of prayer and intercession. In the tabernacle, incense represented the prayers of the people rising to God. Here, the censer becomes a tool for atonement, indicating the need for a tangible act of intercession to appease God's wrath.

place fire from the altar in it
The altar fire is sacred, having been kindled by God Himself (Leviticus 9:24). Using this holy fire signifies the need for divine intervention. The altar represents God's presence and His covenant with Israel. By using fire from the altar, Aaron is invoking God's holiness and mercy, seeking to restore the broken relationship between God and His people.

add incense
Incense, in biblical times, was a fragrant offering pleasing to God. It symbolizes the prayers and supplications of the people. The addition of incense to the censer signifies the act of intercession, a plea for mercy. In the broader scriptural context, incense is often associated with the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8), highlighting the importance of prayer in seeking God's favor.

and go quickly to the congregation
The urgency in Aaron's actions reflects the immediate threat posed by the plague. The Hebrew word for "quickly" emphasizes the need for prompt action in the face of divine judgment. This urgency underscores the seriousness of sin and the swiftness of God's response, as well as the necessity for immediate repentance and intercession.

to make atonement for them
Atonement is a central theme in the Old Testament, involving reconciliation between God and humanity. The Hebrew root "kaphar" means to cover or to make amends. Aaron's role as high priest is to mediate and restore the relationship between the Israelites and God. This act prefigures the ultimate atonement made by Christ, who reconciles humanity to God through His sacrifice.

For wrath has come out from the LORD
This phrase acknowledges God's righteous anger against sin. In the Hebrew understanding, God's wrath is a response to covenant unfaithfulness. It serves as a reminder of God's holiness and justice. The wrath of God is not arbitrary but is a consequence of the people's rebellion and disobedience.

the plague has begun
The plague is a manifestation of God's judgment. In the historical context, plagues were often seen as divine retribution. This particular plague serves as a warning to the Israelites of the consequences of their rebellion. It also highlights the need for a mediator to stand between the people and God's righteous judgment, pointing to the necessity of atonement and intercession.

(46) Take a censer.--Better, the censer. The reference appears to be to the golden censer of the high priest. Incense was an emblem of prayer, and a figure of the intercession and mediation of Christ. (See Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4.)

And go quickly.--Or, and carry it quickly.

Verse 46. - Take a censer. Rather, "the censer," i.e., the proper censer of the high priest, which he used upon the great day of atonement (Leviticus 16:12), and which is said in Hebrews 9:4 to have been of gold, and to have been kept in the most holy place. It is not, however, mentioned amongst the sacred furniture in the Levitical books. And go quickly. הולֵך Rather, "take it quickly." And make an atonement for them. There was no precedent for making an incense offering alter this fashion, but it was on the analogy of the rite performed within the tabernacle on the day of atonement (Leviticus 16). Whether Moses received any intimation that the wroth might be thus averted, or whether it was the daring thought of a devoted heart when all else failed, it is impossible to say. As it had no precedent, so it never serous to have been repeated; nor is the name or idea of atonement anywhere else connected with the offering of incense apart from the shedding of blood.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Moses
מֹשֶׁ֜ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

said to
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

Aaron,
אַהֲרֹ֗ן (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

“Take
קַ֣ח (qaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

your censer,
הַ֠מַּחְתָּה (ham·maḥ·tāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4289: A fireholder, censer, snuff dish

place
וְתֶן־ (wə·ṯen-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

fire
אֵ֜שׁ (’êš)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

from
עָלֶ֨יהָ (‘ā·le·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the altar
הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

in it,
מֵעַ֤ל (mê·‘al)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and add incense.
קְטֹ֔רֶת (qə·ṭō·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7004: Smoke, odor of (burning) sacrifice, incense

Go
וְהוֹלֵ֧ךְ (wə·hō·w·lêḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

quickly
מְהֵרָ֛ה (mə·hê·rāh)
Adverb
Strong's 4120: A hurry, promptly

to
אֶֽל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the congregation
הָעֵדָ֖ה (hā·‘ê·ḏāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage

and make atonement
וְכַפֵּ֣ר (wə·ḵap·pêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3722: To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancel

for them,
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

because
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

wrath
הַקֶּ֛צֶף (haq·qe·ṣep̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7110: A splinter, rage, strife

has come
יָצָ֥א (yā·ṣā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

out from
מִלִּפְנֵ֥י (mil·lip̄·nê)
Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD;
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the plague
הַנָּֽגֶף׃ (han·nā·ḡep̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5063: A trip, an infliction

has begun.”
הֵחֵ֥ל (hê·ḥêl)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play


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OT Law: Numbers 16:46 Moses said to Aaron Take your censer (Nu Num.)
Numbers 16:45
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