Numbers 26:10
New International Version
The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire devoured the 250 men. And they served as a warning sign.

New Living Translation
But the earth opened up its mouth and swallowed them with Korah, and fire devoured 250 of their followers. This served as a warning to the entire nation of Israel.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah when that company died, when the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men; and they became a sign.

New American Standard Bible
and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah, when that group died, when the fire devoured 250 men, so that they became a warning sign.

NASB 1995
and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, so that they became a warning.

NASB 1977
and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, so that they became a warning.

Legacy Standard Bible
and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah, when that congregation died, when the fire consumed 250 men, so that they became a warning.

Amplified Bible
and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men, so that they became a [warning] sign.

Christian Standard Bible
The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them with Korah, when his followers died and the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them with Korah, when his followers died and the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign.

American Standard Version
and the earth opened its 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.

Contemporary English Version
That's when the LORD made the earth open up and swallow Dathan, Abiram, and Korah. At the same time, fire destroyed 250 men as a warning to the other Israelites.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The ground opened up and swallowed them along with Korah. They and their followers died when the fire consumed the 250 men. This was a warning.

Good News Translation
The ground opened and swallowed them, and they died with Korah and his followers when fire destroyed 250 men; they became a warning to the people.

International Standard Version
The ground had opened its mouth and swallowed them up, along with Korah. Also, that group died when the fire devoured 250 men as a warning sign,

Majority Standard Bible
And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign.

NET Bible
The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and Korah at the time that company died, when the fire consumed 250 men. So they became a warning.

New Heart English Bible
and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died; what time the fire devoured two hundred fifty men, and they became a sign.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.

World English Bible
and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah when that company died; at the time the fire devoured two hundred fifty men, and they became a sign.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the earth opens her mouth, and swallows them and Korah, in the death of the congregation, in the fire consuming the two hundred and fifty men, and they become a sign;

Young's Literal Translation
and the earth openeth her mouth, and swalloweth them and Korah, in the death of the company, in the fire consuming the two hundred and fifty men, and they become a sign;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the earth will open her mouth and will swallow them and Korah, in the dying of the assembly in the consuming of the fire, the fifty and two hundred men: and they shall be for a signal.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the earth opening her mouth swallowed up Core, many others dying, when the fire burned two hundred and fifty men. And there was a great miracle wrought,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the earth, opening its mouth, devoured Korah, with many others dying, when the fire burned two hundred fifty men. And a great miracle was wrought,

New American Bible
The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, along with Korah, as a warning. The faction was destroyed when the fire consumed two hundred and fifty men.

New Revised Standard Version
and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured two hundred fifty men; and they became a warning.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah when that company died, when the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men; and they became an example.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Earth opened her mouth and swallowed them and Qorakh in the plague of the assembly when fire consumed two hundred and fifty men, and they were for a sign.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up them and Core, when their assembly perished, when the fire devoured the two hundred and fifty, and they were made a sign.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Tribe of Reuben
9and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. It was Dathan and Abiram, chosen by the congregation, who fought against Moses and Aaron with the followers of Korah who rebelled against the LORD. 10And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign. 11However, the line of Korah did not die out.…

Cross References
Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

2 Peter 2:15-16
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. / But he was rebuked for his transgression by a donkey, otherwise without speech, that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

1 Corinthians 10:10
And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.

2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”

Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Acts 5:37
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.

Hebrews 3:17
And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?

Romans 11:22
Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

1 Corinthians 10:5
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.

2 Peter 2:4-6
For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; / if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight; / if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly;

Deuteronomy 11:6
and what He did in the midst of all the Israelites to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab the Reubenite, when the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their households, their tents, and every living thing that belonged to them.

Numbers 16:31-33
As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, / and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. / They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly.

Numbers 27:3
“Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons.

Deuteronomy 1:35
“Not one of the men of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your fathers,

Psalm 106:17-18
The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it covered the assembly of Abiram. / Then fire blazed through their company; flames consumed the wicked.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

It seems to be intimated in ch.

Numbers 16:27
So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

Numbers 16:31-33
And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: …

Numbers 16:27
So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

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Numbers 26
1. The sum of all Israel is taken in the plains of Moab
52. The law of dividing among them the inheritance of the land
57. The families and number of the Levites
63. None but Caleb and Joshua was left of those who were numbered at Sinai














The earth opened its mouth
This phrase vividly describes a miraculous and divine intervention. In Hebrew, the word for "earth" is "אֶרֶץ" (erets), which often signifies the physical land but also represents God's creation and His control over it. The imagery of the earth opening its mouth is a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and judgment. It serves as a reminder that the natural world is under God's command and can be used to execute His will. This event is a stark warning against rebellion and a call to recognize God's authority.

and swallowed them
The act of swallowing indicates a complete and sudden destruction. The Hebrew root "בָּלַע" (bala) means to engulf or consume. This action signifies the finality of God's judgment against those who oppose Him. It is a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion. The swallowing by the earth is not just a physical act but a spiritual lesson on the seriousness of defying God's appointed leaders and His divine order.

along with Korah
Korah, a Levite, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their God-given authority. His name in Hebrew, "קֹרַח" (Qorach), is associated with baldness or ice, symbolizing a lack of covering or protection, which is fitting given his exposure to divine judgment. Korah's rebellion is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and ambition when they lead to challenging God's established order. His fate serves as a lesson on the importance of humility and submission to God's will.

whose followers died
The followers of Korah, who joined in his rebellion, faced the same fate. This phrase underscores the collective responsibility and consequence of sin. In the Hebrew context, the word for "followers" can imply those who are led astray or deceived. It highlights the influence leaders have over their followers and the importance of discerning and following righteous leadership. The death of these followers serves as a warning about the dangers of aligning with those who oppose God's commands.

when the fire devoured the 250 men
Fire, in biblical terms, often represents God's presence and judgment. The Hebrew word "אֵשׁ" (esh) signifies both purification and destruction. The devouring fire that consumed the 250 men who offered unauthorized incense is a direct act of divine judgment. It serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him with reverence and obedience. This event illustrates the consequences of attempting to usurp the roles and responsibilities God has ordained.

They served as a warning sign
The phrase "warning sign" in Hebrew is "אוֹת" (oth), which means a sign or symbol. The fate of Korah and his followers is meant to be a perpetual reminder to the Israelites and to all believers of the dangers of rebellion against God. It is a call to remember the past and learn from it, ensuring that future generations understand the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands. This warning sign is a testament to God's justice and mercy, urging believers to walk in His ways.

(10) And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah . . . --Hebrew, and Korah. It would appear from this verse that Korah perished in the earthquake with Dathan and Abiram. The Samaritan Pentateuch, however, has a different reading here. It transposes the words "and Korah," and combines them with the words"and the two hundred and fifty men": thus--"when the fire devoured Korah and the two hundred and fifty men." (See Notes on Numbers 16:32; Numbers 16:35.) It is possible that there may have been an omission here of the words which are found in Numbers 16:32, "all the men that appertained unto," or of words denoting "all the goods belonging to."

Verse 10. - Swallowed them up together with Korah. יַתִּבְלַע אֹתָם וְאֶתאּקֹרַח. Septuagint, κατέπειν αὐτοὺς καὶ Κορέ. This distinct statement, which is not modified in the Targums, seems decisive as to the fate of Korah. If indeed it were quite certain from the detailed narrative in chapter 16 that Korah perished with his own company, and not with the Reubenites, then it might be deemed necessary to force this statement into accordance with that certainty; but it is nowhere stated, or even clearly implied, that he perished by fire, and therefore there is no excuse for doing violence to the obvious meaning of this verse. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were swallowed up, we are told, at the same time that Korah's company were consumed by fire; that is a clear statement, and cannot be set aside by any supposed necessity for avenging the sacri1egious ambition of Korah by the element of fire. And they became a sign. The Hebrew נֵםproperly means a banner or ensign, and is unusual in this sense. It exactly corresponds, however, to the Greek σήμειον, and has no doubt the same secondary signification - a something made conspicuous in order to attract attention and enforce a warning (cf. chapter Numbers 16:30, 38).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the earth
הָאָ֜רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

opened
וַתִּפְתַּ֨ח (wat·tip̄·taḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

its mouth
פִּ֗יהָ (pî·hā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

and swallowed
וַתִּבְלַ֥ע (wat·tiḇ·la‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1104: To swallow down, swallow up, engulf

them
אֹתָ֛ם (’ō·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

along with Korah,
קֹ֖רַח (qō·raḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7141: Korah -- an Edomite name, also an Israelite name

whose followers
הָעֵדָ֑ה (hā·‘ê·ḏāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage

died
בְּמ֣וֹת (bə·mō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin

when the fire
הָאֵ֗שׁ (hā·’êš)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

consumed
בַּאֲכֹ֣ל (ba·’ă·ḵōl)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 398: To eat

250
חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים (ḥă·miš·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 2572: Fifty

men.
אִ֔ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

They serve
וַיִּהְי֖וּ (way·yih·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

as a warning sign.
לְנֵֽס׃ (lə·nês)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5251: A flag, a sail, a flagstaff, a signal, a token


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OT Law: Numbers 26:10 And the earth opened its mouth (Nu Num.)
Numbers 26:9
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