Numbers 16:30-50 ▼

30 But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all things that belong to them, and they go down alive with all that belongs to them into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have provoked the LORD.

31 And when Moses had finished speaking these words, the ground split asunder under them;

32 And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households and all the men who were with Korah and all their goods.

33 They, and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed upon them, and they perished from among the congregation.

34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them, saying, Lest the earth swallow us up also.

35 And there came out a fire from before the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

36 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

37 Speak to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, to take up the censers from among the burned men and scatter the fire yonder; for they are sanctified.

38 The censers of these who sinned against their own souls, make them thin plates for a covering of the altar; for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are holy; and they shall be a sign to the children of Israel.

39 So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers, with which they who were burned had offered incense, and they were made thin plates for a covering of the altar,

40 To be a memorial to the children of Israel, so that no stranger, who is not of the descendants of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah and all his company, whom the earth opened its mouth and swallowed, just as the LORD had spoken by the hand of Moses.

41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, You have killed the people of the LORD.

42 And when all the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, they turned toward the tabernacle of the congregation; and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.

43 And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.

44 And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

45 Get you away from the midst of this congregation, that I may destroy them in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.

46 And Moses said to Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and carry it quickly to the congregation, and make an atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from before the LORD; the plague has already begun among the people.

47 And Aaron took it as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague had already begun among the people; and he put on incense, and made atonement for the people.

48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague ceased.

49 Now those who died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides those who died in the sedition of Korah.

50 And Aaron returned to Moses at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation; and the plague had ceased.