Numbers 17:13

“Whosoever cometh anything near unto the tabernacle of the Lord shall die, etc.] They who before were so bold and daring as to think the priesthood was common to them with Aaron, or they had as good a right to it, and might go into the sanctuary of the Lord where he did, are now so frightened at the rod being laid up as a token against them, that they thought they must not come near the tabernacle at all, and, if they did, would be in the utmost danger of death: shall we be consumed with dying? such violent deaths, until there are none left of us? but the Syriac and Arabic versions render the words affirmatively; we are near or about to be consumed; and so the Targum of Onkelos, lo, we are to…”

“cometh any thing near--that is, nearer than he ought to do; an error into which many may fall. Will the stern justice of God overtake every slight offense? We shall all be destroyed. Some, however, regard this exclamation as the symptom or a new discontent, rather than the indication of a reverential and submissive spirit. Let us fear and sin not. Next: Numbers Chapter 18”

“A new section should begin with these verses. They are connected retrospectively with Numbers 16:0; and form the immediate introduction to Numbers 18:0. The people were terror-stricken by the fate of the company of Korah and by the plague. Presumption passed by reaction into despair. Was there any approach for them to the tabernacle of the Lord? Was there any escape from death, except by keeping aloof from His presence? The answers are supplied by the ordinances which testified that the God of judgment was still a God of grace and of love. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Numbers…”

“Near - Nearer than be should do; an error which we may easily commit. Will God proceed with us according to his strict justice, till all the people be cut off? Next: Numbers Chapter 18”

“Whosoever: Num 1:51-53, Num 18:4-7 any thing: Gen 3:3; Sa1 6:19-21; Sa2 6:6-12; Ch1 13:11-13, Ch1 15:13; Psa 130:3, Psa 130:4; Act 5:5, Act 5:11-14; Eph 2:13; Heb 10:19-22 consumed: Num 16:26, Num 32:13; Deu 2:16; Job 34:14, Job 34:15; Psa 90:7; Isa 28:22 Next: Numbers Chapter 18”