Dathan, a Reubenite, is a notable figure in the Old Testament, primarily recognized for his role in the rebellion against Moses and Aaron. He was the son of Eliab and a member of the tribe of Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob. Dathan's account is primarily recounted in the Book of Numbers, where he is depicted as a leader in a significant insurrection against the divinely appointed leadership of Moses.

Biblical Account

The most prominent account of Dathan is found in Numbers 16, where he, along with his brother Abiram and Korah, a Levite, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. This insurrection is often referred to as "Korah's rebellion," but Dathan and Abiram played crucial roles. The rebels challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron, questioning their leadership and the special status of the priesthood. They accused Moses of leading the Israelites out of Egypt only to let them die in the wilderness, as seen in Numbers 16:13-14 : "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? And now you also want to lord it over us?"

Moses, in response, sought the LORD's guidance, and God instructed him to separate the congregation from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. The earth subsequently opened up and swallowed Dathan, Abiram, their families, and all their possessions, as described in 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."

Theological Significance

Dathan's rebellion is often interpreted as a direct challenge to God's established order and authority. The narrative underscores the importance of obedience to divine leadership and the consequences of rebellion against God's chosen leaders. The swift and dramatic judgment that befell Dathan and his co-conspirators serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views rebellion and dissent against His ordained structure.

Legacy and References

Dathan's actions and their consequences are referenced in other parts of Scripture as a warning against rebellion. In Deuteronomy 11:6 , Moses reminds the Israelites of the fate of Dathan and Abiram as a cautionary tale: "and what He did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab the Reubenite, when the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, along with their households, tents, and every living thing that belonged to them, in the midst of all Israel."

In the New Testament, Jude 1:11 alludes to the rebellion of Korah, which includes Dathan's involvement, as an example of those who oppose God's authority: "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."

Dathan's account serves as a powerful illustration of the dangers of pride, disobedience, and the rejection of divinely appointed leadership. His legacy is a testament to the importance of humility and submission to God's will as revealed through His chosen leaders.Numbers 16:1-35
Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
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Numbers 26:9
And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:
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Deuteronomy 11:6
And what he did to 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 middle of all Israel:
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Psalm 106:17
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram.
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