Murmuring and Plague

41 But on the next day all the congregation of the sons of Israel (A)grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You are the ones who have caused the death of the Lords people!” 42 It came about, however, when the congregation had assembled against Moses and Aaron, that they turned toward the tent of meeting, and behold, the cloud covered it and (B)the glory of the Lord appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 45 (C)Get away from among this congregation so that I may consume them instantly.” Then they fell on their faces. 46 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 (D)make atonement for them, for (E)wrath has gone out from the Lord, the plague has begun!” 47 Then Aaron took it just as Moses had spoken, and he ran into the midst of the assembly; and behold, the plague had begun among the people. (F)So he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. 48 And he took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was brought to a halt. 49 (G)But those who died by the plague were 14,700 in number, besides those who (H)died on account of Korah. 50 Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting, for the plague had been brought to a halt.

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41 The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “You have killed the Lord’s people,” they said.

42 But when the assembly gathered in opposition(A) to Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the Lord(B) appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the Lord said to Moses, 45 “Get away from this assembly so I can put an end(C) to them at once.” And they fell facedown.

46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer(D) and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly(E) to make atonement(F) for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord;(G) the plague(H) has started.” 47 So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people,(I) but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.(J) 49 But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah.(K) 50 Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the tent of meeting, for the plague had stopped.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Numbers 16:50 In Hebrew texts 16:36-50 is numbered 17:1-15.