Numbers 16:7 and tomorrow you are to place fire and incense in them in the presence of the LORD. Then the man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. It is you sons of Levi who have taken too much upon yourselves!"

◄ Numbers 16:7 ►

New International Version
and tomorrow put burning coals and incense in them before the LORD. The man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. You Levites have gone too far!”

New Living Translation
Light fires in them tomorrow, and burn incense before the LORD. Then we will see whom the LORD chooses as his holy one. You Levites are the ones who have gone too far!”

English Standard Version
put fire in them and put incense on them before the LORD tomorrow, and the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!”

Berean Standard Bible
and tomorrow you are to place fire and incense in them in the presence of the LORD. Then the man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. It is you sons of Levi who have taken too much upon yourselves!”

King James Bible
And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

New King James Version
put fire in them and put incense in them before the LORD tomorrow, and it shall be that the man whom the LORD chooses is the holy one. You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!”

New American Standard Bible
and put fire in them, and place incense upon them in the presence of the LORD tomorrow; and the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the one who is holy. You have gone far enough, you sons of Levi!”

NASB 1995
and put fire in them, and lay incense upon them in the presence of the LORD tomorrow; and the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the one who is holy. You have gone far enough, you sons of Levi!”

NASB 1977
and put fire in them, and lay incense upon them in the presence of the LORD tomorrow; and the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the one who is holy. You have gone far enough, you sons of Levi!”

Legacy Standard Bible
and put fire in them, and lay incense upon them in the presence of Yahweh tomorrow; and the man whom Yahweh chooses shall be the one who is holy. You have gone far enough, you sons of Levi!”

Amplified Bible
then put fire in them and place incense on them in the presence of the LORD tomorrow; and the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the one who is holy. You have gone far enough, you sons of Levi.”

Christian Standard Bible
place fire in them and put incense on them before the LORD. Then the man the LORD chooses will be the one who is set apart. It is you Levites who have gone too far! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
place fire in them and put incense on them before the LORD. Then the man the LORD chooses will be the one who is set apart. It is you Levites who have gone too far!”

American Standard Version
and put fire in them, and put incense upon them before Jehovah to-morrow: and it shall be that the man whom Jehovah doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

English Revised Version
and put fire therein, and put incense upon them before the LORD tomorrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and put burning coals and incense in them in the LORD's presence. Then the LORD will choose the man who is holy. You've gone far enough!"

International Standard Version
and put fire and incense in them in the LORD's presence tomorrow. It will be that the man whom the LORD chooses will be holy. You're taking too much for yourselves, you descendants of Levi."

Majority Standard Bible
and tomorrow you are to place fire and incense in them in the presence of the LORD. Then the man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. It is you sons of Levi who have taken too much upon yourselves!”

NET Bible
put fire in them, and set incense on them before the LORD tomorrow, and the man whom the LORD chooses will be holy. You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!"

New Heart English Bible
and put fire in them, and put incense on them before the LORD tomorrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD chooses, he shall be holy. You have gone too far, you sons of Levi."

Webster's Bible Translation
And put fire in them, and put incense in them before the LORD to-morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

World English Bible
put fire in them, and put incense on them before Yahweh tomorrow. It shall be that the man whom Yahweh chooses, he shall be holy. You have gone too far, you sons of Levi!”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and put fire in them and put incense on them before YHWH tomorrow, and it has been, the man whom YHWH chooses, he [is] the holy one—enough of you, sons of Levi!”

Young's Literal Translation
and put in them fire, and put on them perfume, before Jehovah to-morrow, and it hath been, the man whom Jehovah chooseth, he is the holy one; -- enough of you, sons of Levi.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye shall give fire in them and put upon them incense, before Jehovah to-morrow: and it was the man whom Jehovah shall choose, he is holy: much to you, ye sons of Levi.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And putting fire in them to morrow, put incense upon it before the Lord: and whomsoever he shall choose, the same shall be holy: you take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and drawing fire into it tomorrow, place incense upon it before the Lord. And whomever he will choose, the same shall be holy. You sons of Levi have been raised up greatly.”

New American Bible
and put fire in them and place incense in them before the LORD tomorrow. He whom the LORD then chooses is the holy one. You Levites go too far!”

New Revised Standard Version
and tomorrow put fire in them, and lay incense on them before the LORD; and the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the holy one. You Levites have gone too far!”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And put fire into them, and put incense into them before the LORD tomorrow; and it shall be that the man whom the LORD chooses, he shall be holy; this is enough for you, O you sons of Levi.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And put fire in them and put incense in them before LORD JEHOVAH tomorrow, and the man whom LORD JEHOVAH has chosen for himself he shall be holy; it is enough for you, sons of Levi.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
and put fire therein, and put incense upon them before the LORD to-morrow; and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy; ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and put fire on them, and put incense on them before the Lord to-morrow; and it shall come to pass that the man whom the Lord has chosen, he shall be holy: let it be enough for you, ye sons of Levi.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Korah's Rebellion
…6You, Korah, and all your followers are to do as follows: Take censers, 7and tomorrow you are to place fire and incense in them in the presence of the LORD. Then the man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. It is you sons of Levi who have taken too much upon yourselves!” 8Moses also said to Korah, “Now listen, you sons of Levi!…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Leviticus 10:1-2
Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. / So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 26:16-21
But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. / Then Azariah the priest, along with eighty brave priests of the LORD, went in after him. / They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.” ...

Exodus 30:9
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.

Exodus 30:34-38
The LORD also said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense—in equal measures, / and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. / Grind some of it into fine powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. ...

1 Kings 18:21-24
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. / Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. / Get two bulls for us. Let the prophets of Baal choose one bull for themselves, cut it into pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. And I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire. ...

1 Samuel 2:28
And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.

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.

Revelation 5:8
When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Psalm 141:2
May my prayer be set before You like incense; my uplifted hands, like the evening offering.

Isaiah 1:13
Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.

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.

2 Corinthians 2:15-16
For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. / To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Treasury of Scripture

And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD does choose, he shall be holy: you take too much on you, you sons of Levi.

that the man

Numbers 16:3,5
And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? …

Ephesians 1:4
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

too much

Numbers 16:3
And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?

1 Kings 18:17,18
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? …

Matthew 21:23-27
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? …

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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

Berean Study Bible

and tomorrow
The phrase "and tomorrow" indicates a specific time set by Moses for the test of divine selection. In the Hebrew context, "tomorrow" (מָחָר, machar) often signifies an impending event that requires preparation and reflection. It underscores the urgency and seriousness of the situation, as the rebellion led by Korah against Moses and Aaron was a direct challenge to God's ordained leadership. This timing also allows for a period of contemplation and repentance, highlighting God's patience and desire for His people to turn back to Him.

put fire in them
The instruction to "put fire in them" refers to the censers that Korah and his followers were to use. In the Hebrew tradition, fire (אֵשׁ, esh) is a symbol of God's presence and judgment. The act of placing fire in the censers is a test of authenticity and divine approval. It recalls the sacred fire that was to be kept burning on the altar, representing God's continuous presence among His people. This act was not merely ritualistic but a profound demonstration of seeking God's decision in a matter of dispute.

and present them before the LORD
To "present them before the LORD" signifies bringing the censers with fire into the presence of God, likely at the entrance of the Tabernacle. This phrase emphasizes the direct accountability to God, who is the ultimate judge. The Hebrew word for "present" (קָרַב, qarab) implies drawing near with reverence and submission. It is a reminder that all actions, especially those involving leadership and worship, must be aligned with God's will and subject to His scrutiny.

The man whom the LORD chooses
This phrase highlights the sovereignty of God in selecting His servants. The Hebrew root for "chooses" (בָּחַר, bachar) conveys the idea of careful selection based on divine criteria, not human ambition. It underscores the principle that true leadership in God's community is not self-appointed but divinely ordained. This selection process is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God chooses individuals based on His purposes and plans, often contrary to human expectations.

shall be the one who is holy
Holiness (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh) is a central theme in the Bible, denoting separation and dedication to God. The phrase "shall be the one who is holy" indicates that God's chosen leader is set apart for His service. Holiness is not merely a status but a calling to live in accordance with God's standards. This statement serves as a reminder that those who serve in leadership must reflect God's character and be committed to His ways.

You Levites have gone too far!
This rebuke, "You Levites have gone too far," addresses the overstepping of boundaries by Korah and his followers. The Levites were already set apart for specific duties in the Tabernacle, but their desire for the priesthood was a transgression of God's established order. The Hebrew expression for "gone too far" (רַב־לָכֶם, rav-lakhem) implies an overreach or presumption. It serves as a caution against pride and ambition that leads to rebellion against God's appointed structure. This admonition is a timeless warning about the dangers of discontentment and the importance of respecting God's design for leadership and service.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) Ye take too much upon you . . . --Moses here adopts the language of Korah in Numbers 16:3. The meaning appears to be, as more fully explained in Numbers 16:9-10, that it ought to have sufficed Korah and the other Levites that they had been chosen from amongst their brethren to discharge the inferior offices of the sanctuary.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - Ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. רַב־לָכֶם, as in verse 3. The exact meaning of this tu quoque is not apparent. Perhaps he would say that if he and Aaron were usurpers, the whole tribe of Levi were usurpers too.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

and tomorrow
מָחָ֔ר (mā·ḥār)
Adverb
Strong's 4279: Deferred, the morrow, tomorrow, hereafter

you are to place
וּתְנ֣וּ (ū·ṯə·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

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

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

in them
בָהֵ֣ן ׀ (ḇā·hên)
Preposition-b | Pronoun - third person feminine plural
Strong's 2004: They

in the presence
לִפְנֵ֤י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

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

Then the man
הָאִ֛ישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

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

chooses
יִבְחַ֥ר (yiḇ·ḥar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 977: To try, select

will be
וְהָיָ֗ה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the one
ה֣וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

who is holy.
הַקָּד֑וֹשׁ (haq·qā·ḏō·wōš)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6918: Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

It is you sons
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Levi
לֵוִֽי׃ (lê·wî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3878: Levi -- a son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him

who have gone too far!”
רַב־ (raḇ-)
Adverb
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

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OT Law: Numbers 16:7 And put fire in them and put (Nu Num.)