Numbers 26:10
and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, and they became a warning.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse states that the earth swallowed Korah together with Dathan and Abiram, but the preceding chapter described Korah and his 250 censers being consumed by fire. This suggests a possible distinction in their immediate fates, or a broader understanding where "together with Korah" refers to his entire rebellion and movement, even if his physical end was by fire while others were swallowed. Ultimately, all involved became a stark warning against rebellion.
This passage comes after a devastating plague that God sent to punish Israel for their sin. It follows the census of the tribes, which highlights how God's people, despite their rebellion and judgment, have still multiplied, fulfilling His promises. The verse itself is a stark reminder of a previous rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, detailing the horrifying destruction that befell them and their followers.
How could Korah, Dathan, and Abiram all face such a catastrophic end on the same day, yet through different means?
Numbers 26:10 presents a striking, albeit debated, account of divine judgment. While the verse states the earth swallowed 'them up together with Korah,' other passages (like Numbers 16) suggest Korah was consumed by fire along with the 250 men who offered incense.
Reconciling the Accounts
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This dual judgment highlights the multifaceted nature of God's justice against rebellion.
Why did God make sure this event was not just an ending, but a lasting 'sign'?
The verse concludes by stating, 'they became a sign.' This wasn't just a tragic accident; it was a deliberate, visible monument to God's justice.
The Purpose of a Sign
Even after the immediate event, the memory and the lesson were intended to remain.
Understand the original words
nes · Hebrew Noun
A person or event serving as a sign, standard, or example to others, typically meant to discourage certain behaviors through the observation of consequences.
This verse recounts a specific, terrifying moment of divine judgment during Israel's wilderness wanderings, highlighting the severe consequences of rebellion against God's appointed leaders and His divine order.
c. 1440 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites, after 400 years of slavery, are miraculously led out of Egypt by God through Moses and Aaron, beginning their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1440-1400 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
The Israelites spend 40 years in the wilderness due to their disobedience and lack of faith, during which the older generation (except Joshua and Caleb) dies out.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Rebellion of Korah
Korah, along with Dathan and Abiram, leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron's authority, challenging their leadership and the established priesthood. This event leads to divine judgment.
c. 1400 BC
Divine Judgment on Rebels
God's judgment falls upon the rebels: Korah and 250 men are consumed by fire, while Dathan and Abiram, with their households, are swallowed by the earth. This serves as a stark warning.
c. 1400 BC
Second Census of Israel
Following the plague that accompanied the rebellion, a second census is taken to recount the surviving population of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
This passage describes the immediate event of the earth opening and swallowing up Dathan and Abiram and their households, providing the direct narrative context for the summary in chapter 26.
Psalm 106:17-18The Psalmist recalls this event, focusing on both the earth swallowing up Dathan and Abiram and fire consuming those who offered incense, reinforcing the idea of divine judgment for rebellion.
Jude 1:11This New Testament passage directly alludes to the rebellion of Korah, linking their destructive path to those who follow similar rebellious ways, highlighting the enduring warning.
1 Corinthians 10:11This verse includes the rebellion of Korah among historical examples given as warnings to believers, emphasizing that these events were recorded to instruct future generations.
clarkeNumbers 26:10: "And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign."
Together with Korah - The Samaritan text does not intimate that Korah was swallowed up, but that he was burnt, as appears in fact to have been the case. And the earth swallowed them up, what time that company died; and the fire devoured Korah with the two hundred and fifty men, who became a sign.
bensonNumbers 26:10: "And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign."
Numbers 26:10 . Together with Korah — These words seem to import that Korah was swallowed up with Dathan and Abiram. But it being more probable, as was observed on Numbers 16:32 , that Korah was consumed by the fire of God with those who offered incense, the words may be otherwise translated thus: The e…
The verse states that the earth swallowed Korah together with Dathan and Abiram, but the preceding chapter described Korah and his 250 censers being consumed by fire. This suggests a possible distinction in their immediate fates, or a broader understanding where "together with Korah" refers to his entire rebellion and movement, even if his physical end was by fire while others were swallowed. Ultimately, all involved became a stark warning against rebellion.
This passage comes after a devastating plague that God sent to punish Israel for their sin. It follows the census of the tribes, which highlights how God's people, despite their rebellion and judgment, have still multiplied, fulfilling His promises. The verse itself is a stark reminder of a previous rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, detailing the horrifying destruction that befell them and their followers.
This passage comes after a devastating plague that God sent to punish Israel for their sin. It follows the census of the tribes, which highlights how God's people, despite their rebellion and judgment, have still multiplied, fulfilling His promises. The verse itself is a stark reminder of a previous rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, detailing the horrifying destruction that befell them and their followers.
"and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, and they became a warning." — The verse states that the earth swallowed Korah together with Dathan and Abiram, but the preceding chapter described Korah and his 250 censers being consumed by fire. This suggests a possible disti…
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