Psalm 106:17
New International Version
The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it buried the company of Abiram.

New Living Translation
Because of this, the earth opened up; it swallowed Dathan and buried Abiram and the other rebels.

English Standard Version
the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

Berean Standard Bible
The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it covered the assembly of Abiram.

King James Bible
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

New King James Version
The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan, And covered the faction of Abiram.

New American Standard Bible
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, And engulfed the company of Abiram.

NASB 1995
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, And engulfed the company of Abiram.

NASB 1977
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, And engulfed the company of Abiram.

Legacy Standard Bible
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, And covered up the company of Abiram.

Amplified Bible
Therefore the earth opened and swallowed Dathan, And engulfed the company of Abiram.

Christian Standard Bible
The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it covered the assembly of Abiram.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it covered the assembly of Abiram.

American Standard Version
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, And covered the company of Abiram.

Contemporary English Version
Dathan and Abiram rebelled, and the earth opened up and swallowed them.

English Revised Version
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The ground split open and swallowed Dathan. It buried Abiram's followers.

Good News Translation
Then the earth opened up and swallowed Dathan and buried Abiram and his family;

International Standard Version
The earth opened and swallowed Dathan, closing over Abiram's clan.

Majority Standard Bible
The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it covered the assembly of Abiram.

NET Bible
The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it engulfed the group led by Abiram.

New Heart English Bible
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

Webster's Bible Translation
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

World English Bible
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Earth opens, and swallows up Dathan, "" And covers over the company of Abiram.

Young's Literal Translation
Earth openeth, and swalloweth up Dathan, And covereth over the company of Abiram.

Smith's Literal Translation
The earth will open and will swallow down Dathan, and will cover the assembly of Abiram.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan: and covered the congregation of Abiron.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The earth opened and swallowed Dathan, and it covered the congregation of Abiram.

New American Bible
The earth opened and swallowed Dathan, it closed on the followers of Abiram.

New Revised Standard Version
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the faction of Abiram.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The Earth opened and swallowed Dathan and buried over the assembly of Abiram.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, And covered the company of Abiram.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and closed upon the congregation of Abiron.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Give Thanks to the LORD, for He is Good
16In the camp they envied Moses, as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD. 17The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it covered the assembly of Abiram. 18Then fire blazed through their company; flames consumed the wicked.…

Cross References
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.

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 26:10
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.

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.

Numbers 16:1-3
Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted / a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 men of Israel renowned as leaders of the congregation and representatives in the assembly. / They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have taken too much upon yourselves! For everyone in the entire congregation is holy, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”

Numbers 16:19
When Korah had gathered his whole assembly against them at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared to the whole congregation.

Numbers 16:28-30
Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the LORD has sent me to do all these things, for it was not my own doing: / If these men die a natural death, or if they suffer the fate of all men, then the LORD has not sent me. / But if the LORD brings about something unprecedented, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them and all that belongs to them so that they go down alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt.”

Numbers 16:35
And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.

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

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.

Numbers 16:41-50
The next day the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the LORD’s people!” / But when the congregation gathered against them, Moses and Aaron turned toward the Tent of Meeting, and suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared. / Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the Tent of Meeting, ...

Numbers 16:12-14
Then Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, but they said, “We will not come! / 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? Must you also appoint yourself as ruler over us? / Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? No, we will not come!”

Numbers 16:5
Then he said to Korah and all his followers, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will reveal who belongs to Him and who is holy, and He will bring that person near to Himself. The one He chooses He will bring near to Himself.

Numbers 16:9-11
Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel and brought you near to Himself to perform the work at the LORD’s tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them? / He has brought you near, you and all your fellow Levites, but you are seeking the priesthood as well. / Therefore, it is you and all your followers who have conspired against the LORD! As for Aaron, who is he that you should grumble against him?”

Numbers 16:16-18
And Moses said to Korah, “You and all your followers are to appear before the LORD tomorrow—you and they and Aaron. / Each man is to take his censer, place incense in it, and present it before the LORD—250 censers. You and Aaron are to present your censers as well.” / So each man took his censer, put fire and incense in it, and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.


Treasury of Scripture

The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram.

Numbers 16:29-33
If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me…

Numbers 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.

Deuteronomy 11:6
And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben: how the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all the substance that was in their possession, in the midst of all Israel:

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Abiram Abi'ram Band Buried Company Covered Covereth Covering Dathan Earth End Engulfed Opened Openeth Opening Swallowed Swalloweth
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Abiram Abi'ram Band Buried Company Covered Covereth Covering Dathan Earth End Engulfed Opened Openeth Opening Swallowed Swalloweth
Psalm 106
1. The psalmist exhorts to praise God
4. He prays for pardon of sin, as God pardoned the fathers
7. The story of the people's rebellion, and God's mercy
47. He concludes with prayer and praise














The earth opened up
This phrase refers to a miraculous and divine intervention by God as a response to rebellion. In the Hebrew context, the word for "earth" is "erets," which signifies not just the physical ground but also the land given by God to His people. The opening of the earth is a direct act of judgment, emphasizing God's sovereignty over creation. Historically, this event is linked to the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses' leadership, as recorded in Numbers 16. The opening of the earth serves as a powerful reminder of God's authority and the consequences of defying His appointed leaders.

and swallowed Dathan
The act of the earth swallowing Dathan is both literal and symbolic. The Hebrew word "bala" means to swallow or engulf, indicating a complete and sudden destruction. Dathan, along with his followers, represents those who challenge God's order. This event underscores the seriousness of rebellion against divine authority. It serves as a warning to the faithful about the dangers of pride and disobedience. The swallowing is not just a physical act but a spiritual lesson on the fate of those who oppose God's will.

it covered the assembly of Abiram
The covering of Abiram's assembly signifies the finality of God's judgment. The Hebrew word "kasah" means to cover or conceal, suggesting that their rebellion was not only ended but also erased from the community. This phrase highlights the collective nature of the rebellion, as it was not just individuals but an entire assembly that stood against Moses. The historical context of this event shows the importance of unity and obedience within the community of believers. It serves as a cautionary tale about the influence of negative leadership and the importance of aligning with God's chosen path.

(17) The omission of Korah is in keeping with the historical accounts, which indicate a difference both in the attitude of Korah and his family from that of Dathan and Abiram, and also a difference of fate. (Comp. Numbers 16:23, seqq.; Deuteronomy 11:6; Numbers 26:10.)

Verse 17. - The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan (see Numbers 16:31-33). And covered the company of Abiram. It is asked why there is no mention of Korah here, and suggested that he owed his escape from mention to the favouritism of the Levitical "temple poets" (Cheyne). But the real reason seems to be that Korah was not "swallowed up;" he and his company were destroyed by fire, and are alluded to in ver. 18 (so Hengstenberg).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The earth
אֶ֭רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

opened up
תִּפְתַּח־ (tip̄·taḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

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

Dathan;
דָּתָ֑ן (dā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1885: Dathan -- a Reubenite

it covered
וַ֝תְּכַ֗ס (wat·tə·ḵas)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

the assembly
עֲדַ֥ת (‘ă·ḏaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage

of Abiram.
אֲבִירָֽם׃ (’ă·ḇî·rām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 48: Abiram -- 'exalted father', an Israelite name


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OT Poetry: Psalm 106:17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 106:16
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