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the Week of Proper 8 / Ordinary 13
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Amplified Bible

Numbers 16:48

He stood between the dead and the living, so that the plague was brought to an end.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Aaron;   Atonement;   God Continued...;   Intercession;   Israel;   Jesus, the Christ;   Miracles;   Plague;   Thompson Chain Reference - Mediator;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Boldness, Holy;   Christ, the Mediator;   Desert, Journey of Israel through the;   High Priest, the;   Plague or Pestilence, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Abiram;   Dathan;   Earthquake;   Miracle;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Aaron;   Moses;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Plague;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Aaron's Rod;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Aaron;   Aaron's Rod;   Deuteronomy;   Government;   Hexateuch;   Kadesh;   Kohath, Kohathites;   Korah, Dathan, Abiram;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Censer;   Korah;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Samuel;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Government of the Hebrews;   Moses;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - On to Canaan;   Moses, the Man of God;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Dead;   Destroyer;   Moses;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Aaron;   Media;   Plague;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
He stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
King James Version
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
Lexham English Bible
He stood between the dead and between the living, and the plague was stopped.
New Century Version
He stood between the dead and the living, and the sickness stopped there.
New English Translation
He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped.
New American Standard Bible
And he took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was brought to a halt.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And when hee stoode betweene the dead, and them that were aliue, the plague was stayed.
Legacy Standard Bible
And he took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was checked.
Complete Jewish Bible
Now Korach the son of Yitz'har, the son of K'hat, the son of Levi, along with Datan and Aviram, the sons of Eli'av, and On, the son of Pelet, descendants of Re'uven, took men and rebelled against Moshe. Siding with them were 250 men of Isra'el, leaders of the community, key members of the council, men of reputation. They assembled themselves against Moshe and Aharon and said to them, "You take too much on yourselves! After all, the entire community is holy, every one of them, and Adonai is among them. So why do you lift yourselves up above Adonai 's assembly?" When Moshe heard this he fell on his face. Then he said to Korach and his whole group, "In the morning, Adonai will show who are his and who is the holy person he will allow to approach him. Yes, he will bring whomever he chooses near to himself. Do this: take censers, Korach and all your group; put fire in them; and put incense in them before Adonai tomorrow. The one whom Adonai chooses will be the one who is holy! It is you, you sons of Levi, who are taking too much on yourselves!" Then Moshe said to Korach, "Listen here, you sons of Levi! Is it for you a mere trifle that the God of Isra'el has separated you from the community of Isra'el to bring you close to himself, so that you can do the work in the tabernacle of Adonai and stand before the community serving them? He has brought you close and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you. Now you want the office of cohen too! That's why you and your group have gathered together against Adonai ! After all, what is Aharon that you complain against him?" Then Moshe sent to summon Datan and Aviram, the sons of Eli'av. But they replied, "We won't come up! Is it such a mere trifle, bringing us up from a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert, that now you arrogate to yourself the role of dictator over us? (ii) You haven't at all brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, and you haven't put us in possession of fields and vineyards. Do you think you can gouge out these men's eyes and blind them? We won't come up!" Moshe was very angry and said to Adonai , "Don't accept their grain offering! I haven't taken one donkey from them, I've done nothing wrong to any of them." Moshe said to Korach, "You and your group, be there before Adonai tomorrow — you, they and Aharon. Each of you take his fire pan and put incense in it; every one of you, bring before Adonai his fire pan, 250 fire pans, you too, and Aharon — each one his fire pan." Each man took his fire pan, put fire in it, laid incense on it and stood at the entrance to the tent of meeting with Moshe and Aharon. Korach assembled all the group who were against them at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Then the glory of Adonai appeared to the whole assembly. (iii) Adonai said to Moshe and Aharon, "Separate yourselves from this assembly; I'm going to destroy them right now!" They fell on their faces and said, "Oh God, God of the spirits of all humankind, if one person sins, are you going to be angry with the entire assembly?" Adonai answered Moshe, "Tell the assembly to move away from the homes of Korach, Datan and Aviram." Moshe got up and went to Datan and Aviram, and the leaders of Isra'el followed him. There he said to the assembly, "Leave the tents of these wicked men! Don't touch anything that belongs to them, or you may be swept away in all their sins." So they moved away from all around the area where Korach, Datan and Aviram lived. Then Datan and Aviram came out and stood at the entrance to their tents with their wives, sons and little ones. Moshe said, "Here is how you will know that Adonai has sent me to do all these things and that I haven't done them out of my own ambition: if these men die a natural death like other people, only sharing the fate common to all humanity, then Adonai has not sent me. But if Adonai does something new — if the ground opens up and swallows them with everything they own, and they go down alive to Sh'ol — then you will understand that these men have had contempt for Adonai ." The moment he finished speaking, the ground under them split apart — the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all the people who had sided with Korach and everything they owned. So they and everything they owned went down alive into Sh'ol, the earth closed over them and their existence in the community ceased. All Isra'el around them fled at their shrieks, shouting, "The earth might swallow us too!" Then fire came out from Adonai and destroyed the 250 men who had offered the incense.
Darby Translation
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
English Standard Version
And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped.
George Lamsa Translation
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague ceased.
Good News Translation
This stopped the plague, and he was left standing between the living and the dead.
Christian Standard Bible®
He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was halted.
Literal Translation
and stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stayed.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
& stode betwene the deed & the lyuynge, and the plage ceassed.
American Standard Version
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
Bible in Basic English
And he took his place between the dead and the living: and the disease was stopped.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And whe he stoode betweene the dead and them that were alyue, the plague was stayed.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
span data-lang="eng" data-trans="jps" data-ref="num.16.1" class="versetxt"> Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; and they rose up in face of Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty men; they were princes of the congregation, the elect men of the assembly, men of renown; and they assembled 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 assembly of the LORD?' And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face. And he spoke unto Korah and unto all his company, saying: 'In the morning the LORD will show who are His, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near unto Him; even him whom He may choose will He cause to come near unto Him. This do: take you censors, Korah, and all his company; 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.' And Moses said unto Korah: 'Hear now, ye sons of Levi: is it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them; and that He hath brought thee near, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee? and will ye seek the priesthood also? Therefore thou and all thy company that are gathered together against the LORD--; and as to Aaron, what is he that ye murmur against him?' And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; and they said: 'We will not come up; is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, but thou must needs make thyself also a prince over us? Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards; wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.' And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD: 'Respect not Thou their offering; I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.' And Moses said unto Korah: 'Be thou and all thy congregation before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to-morrow; and take ye every man his fire-pan, and put incense upon them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his fire-pan, two hundred and fifty fire-pans; thou also, and Aaron, each his fire-pan.' And they took every man his fire-pan, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood at the door of the tent of meeting with Moses and Aaron. And Korah assembled all the congregation against them unto the door of the tent of meeting; and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying: 'Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.' And they fell upon their faces, and said: 'O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt Thou be wroth with all the congregation?' And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 'Speak unto the congregation, saying: Get you up from about the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.' And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. And he spoke unto the congregation, saying: 'Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be swept away in all their sins.' So they got them up from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side; and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, and their sons, and their little ones. And Moses said: 'Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works, and that I have not done them of mine own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, and be visited after the visitation of all men, then the LORD hath not sent Me. But if the LORD make a new thing, and the ground open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down alive into the pit, then ye shall understand that these men have despised the LORD.' And it came to pass, as he made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground did cleave asunder that was under them. And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. So they, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit; and the earth closed upon them, and they perished from among the assembly. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them; for they said: 'Lest the earth swallow us up.' And fire came forth from the LORD, and devoured the two hundred and fifty men that offered the incense.
King James Version (1611)
And he stood betweene the dead and the liuing, and the plague was stayed.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague ceased.
English Revised Version
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
Berean Standard Bible
He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague was halted.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and he stood bytwixe the deed men and lyuynge, and bisouyte for the puple, and the wounde ceesside.
Young's Literal Translation
and standeth between the dead and the living, and the plague is restrained;
Update Bible Version
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
Webster's Bible Translation
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
World English Bible
He stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
New King James Version
And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped.
New Living Translation
He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague stopped.
New Life Bible
He stood between the dead and the living, and the disease was stopped.
New Revised Standard
He stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stopped.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
thus did he take his stand between the dead and the living, - and the plague was restrained.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And standing between the dead and the living, he prayed for the people, and the plague ceased.
Revised Standard Version
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stopped.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
He took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was checked.

Contextual Overview

41But on the next day the entire congregation of the Israelites murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have caused the death of the people of the LORD." 42When the congregation was assembled against Moses and Aaron, they turned and looked at the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle), and behold, the cloud covered it and the glory and brilliance of the LORD appeared. 43Then Moses and Aaron came to the front of the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle), 44and the LORD spoke to Moses saying, 45"Get away from among this congregation, so that I may consume them immediately." Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces [in silence before the LORD]. 46Moses 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!" 47So Aaron took the burning censer as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and behold, the plague had [already] begun among the people; and he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. 48He stood between the dead and the living, so that the plague was brought to an end.49But those who died in the plague were 14,700, besides those who died because of Korah. 50Then Aaron returned to Moses at the doorway of the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle), for the plague had been brought to an end.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

What the plague was we know not; but it seems from this to have begun at one part of the camp, and to have proceeded regularly onward. Numbers 16:18, Numbers 16:35, Numbers 25:8-11, 2 Samuel 24:16, 2 Samuel 24:17, 2 Samuel 24:25, 1 Chronicles 21:26, 1 Chronicles 21:27, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 Timothy 2:6, Hebrews 7:24, Hebrews 7:25, James 5:16, John 5:14

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 5:5 - General 1 Chronicles 21:22 - that the plague Psalms 91:6 - destruction Psalms 99:6 - Moses Psalms 105:26 - Aaron Proverbs 29:8 - wise Ezekiel 13:5 - have not

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And he stood between the dead and the living,.... The plague beginning at one end of the camp, and so proceeded on, Aaron placed himself between that part of it wherein it had made havoc, and that wherein yet it was not come; the Targum of Jonathan is,

"he stood in prayer in the middle, and made a partition, with his censer, between the dead and living;''

in this he was a type of Christ, the Mediator between God and man, the living God and dead sinners; for though his atonement and intercession are not made for the dead in a corporeal sense, nor for those who have sinned, and sin unto death, the unpardonable sin, nor for men appointed unto death, but for the living in Jerusalem, or for those who are written in the Lamb's book of life; yet for those who are dead in sin, and as deserving of eternal death as others, whereby they are saved from everlasting ruin:

and the plague was stayed; it proceeded no further than where Aaron stood and offered his incense, and made atonement: so the consequence of the atonement and intercession of Christ is, that the wrath of God sin deserves comes not upon those that have a share therein, the second death shall not seize upon them, nor they be hurt with it; for, being justified by the blood of Christ, and atonement for their sins being made by his sacrifice, they are saved from wrath to come.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A striking proof of the efficacy of that very Aaronic priesthood which the rebels had presumed to reject. The incense offering which had brought down destruction when presented by unauthorised hands, now in the hand of the true priest is the medium of instant salvation to the whole people. Aaron by his acceptable ministration and his personal self-devotion foreshadows emphatically in this transaction the perfect mediation and sacrifice of Himself made by Christ.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Numbers 16:48. He stood between the dead and the living; and the plague, c. — What the plague was we know not, but it seems to have begun at one part of the camp, and to have proceeded regularly onward and Aaron went to the quarter where it was then prevailing, and stood with his atonement where it was now making its ravages, and the plague was stayed; but not before 14,700 had fallen victims to it, Numbers 16:49.

IF Aaron the high priest, with his censer and incense, could disarm the wrath of an insulted, angry Deity, so that a guilty people, who deserved nothing but destruction, should be spared; how much more effectual may we expect the great atonement to be which was made by the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom Aaron was only the type! The sacrifices of living animals pointed out the death of Christ on the cross; the incense, his intercession. Through his death salvation is purchased for the world; by his intercession the offending children of men are spared. Hence St. Paul, Romans 5:10, says: If, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved THROUGH HIS LIFE, i. e., by the prevalence of his continual intercession. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19: "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

By the awful transactions recorded in this chapter, we may see how jealous God is of the sole right of appointing the way and means of salvation. Had any priesthood, and any kind of service, no matter how solemn and sincere, been equally available in the sight of Divine justice and mercy, God would not have resented in so awful a manner the attempts of Korah and his company in their new service. The way of God's own appointment, the agony and death of Christ, is the only way in which souls can be saved. His is the priesthood, and his is the only available sacrifice. All other modes and schemes of salvation are the inventions of men or devils, and will in the end prove ruinous to all those who trust in them. Reader, forget not the Lord who bought thee.


 
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