Lexical Summary Dathan: Dathan Original Word: דָּתָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Dathan Of uncertain derivation; Dathan, an Israelite -- Dathan. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a Reubenite NASB Translation Dathan (10). Brown-Driver-Briggs דָּתָן proper name, masculine (compare Assyrian Datana ShlmObelisk, 1. 161) a Reubenite, son of Eliab Numbers 16:1,12,24,25,27 (twice in verse); Numbers 26:9 (twice in verse); Deuteronomy 11:6; Psalm 106:17. Topical Lexicon Identity and Lineage Dathan is a son of Eliab from the tribe of Reuben and the brother of Abiram (Numbers 16:1). Reuben, as Jacob’s firstborn, forfeited pre-eminence through sin (Genesis 49:3-4), and this loss of status provides background for the Reubenite challenge to Moses’ leadership. Historical Setting Every occurrence of the name falls within Israel’s wilderness period (Numbers 16; Numbers 26; Deuteronomy 11) or a later poetic reflection on that era (Psalm 106). The revolt described in Numbers 16 takes place after Israel’s rejection of the Promised Land at Kadesh-barnea and before the thirty-eight years of wandering draw to a close. The Rebellion with Korah Dathan and Abiram allied with Korah the Levite to accuse Moses and Aaron of self-exaltation (Numbers 16:3). Unlike Korah—who coveted priestly privileges—Dathan and Abiram framed their protest politically: “Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness?” (Numbers 16:13). Their refusal to meet with Moses (Numbers 16:12) and their distorted praise of Egypt reveal defiance toward divine redemption and guidance. Divine Judgment At God’s command the congregation separated from the rebels’ tents: “Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men” (Numbers 16:26). The earth then “opened its mouth and swallowed them…so they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol” (Numbers 16:32-33). Fire simultaneously consumed Korah’s two hundred fifty supporters (Numbers 16:35). Bronze from their censers was hammered onto the altar “as a reminder to the children of Israel” (Numbers 16:39-40). Ongoing Witness 1. Numbers 26:9-10 inserts a parenthetical note during the second census, confirming that the entire household of Dathan and Abiram perished and left no inheritance in Canaan. Theological Themes • Rebellion against God-appointed leadership is rebellion against God Himself (Numbers 16:11). Ministry Applications • Spiritual authority is received, not seized; leaders must remain under God’s mandate. Traditional and Later Reflections Rabbinic tradition often portrays Dathan (with Abiram) as chronic antagonists, even accusing them of informing on Moses in Egypt. Early Christian writers cite the episode to admonish schismatics; Tertullian labels such dissenters “sons of Dathan.” While extra-biblical, these traditions mirror the canonical image of Dathan as the archetypal rebel. Key References Numbers 16:1, 12, 24-33; Numbers 26:9-10; Deuteronomy 11:6; Psalm 106:17 Forms and Transliterations דָּתָ֑ן דָּתָ֣ן דָּתָ֥ן דָתָ֨ן דתן וְדָתָ֣ן וְדָתָ֨ן ודתן לְדָתָ֣ן לְדָתָ֥ן לדתן dā·ṯān ḏā·ṯān daTan dāṯān ḏāṯān lə·ḏā·ṯān ledaTan ləḏāṯān vedaTan wə·ḏā·ṯān wəḏāṯānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 16:1 HEB: בֶּן־ לֵוִ֑י וְדָתָ֨ן וַאֲבִירָ֜ם בְּנֵ֧י NAS: of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, KJV: of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, INT: the son of Levi Dathan and Abiram the sons Numbers 16:12 Numbers 16:24 Numbers 16:25 Numbers 16:27 Numbers 16:27 Numbers 26:9 Numbers 26:9 Deuteronomy 11:6 Psalm 106:17 10 Occurrences |
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