Numbers 16:38

(om. even) the fire-pans of these sinners at the cost of their lives R.V. marg. is an explanation of the R.V. But the latter is grammatically doubtful. LXX. has ὅτι ἡγίασαν τὰ πυρεῖα κ. τ. λ. (-because they made holy the fire-pans" &c.). Perhaps we should read -for the fire-pans of these sinners have become holyat the cost &c." Some have seen an allusion to these words in Hebrews 12:3, -such contradiction of sinners against themselves" (Westcott and Hort's text).

for a covering of the altar This must be the altar of burnt-offering, since the altar of incense was covered with gold, not with brass or bronze (Exodus 30:3; Exodus 37:26). But according to Exodus 27:2; Exodus 38:2, the altar of burnt-offering was already covered with bronze at its original manufacture at Sinai. The passage is another indication that the priestly writings are not all from one pen, but contain divergent traditions and date from different periods.