Korah's Rebellion

Korah son of Izhar, along with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, rose up against Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 16:1-2). They were joined by two hundred and fifty Israelite men who were well-known leaders of the community. These individuals gathered together against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of setting themselves above the assembly of the Lord. Upon hearing this, Moses fell facedown and proposed a test to determine whom the Lord had chosen to be holy (Numbers 16:4-5). He instructed Korah and his followers to take censers and put burning coals and incense in them before the Lord the following day.

Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, but they refused to come, accusing Moses of bringing the people out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill them in the wilderness. The text does not say why they specifically chose these words of defiance. The next day, Korah gathered the entire assembly against Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting (Numbers 16:19). The glory of the Lord appeared, and the Lord told Moses and Aaron to separate themselves so He could put an end to the assembly. Moses and Aaron interceded, asking if God would be angry with the entire assembly because of one man's sin.

Moses warned the community to move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. He stated that if these men died a natural death, the Lord had not sent him, but if the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, the people would know these men had treated the Lord with contempt (Numbers 16:29-30). As soon as he finished speaking, the ground under Dathan and Abiram split apart. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their households, and all of Korah's men and possessions. They went down alive into the realm of the dead, and the earth closed over them (Numbers 16:32-33). Simultaneously, fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.