Topical Bible: Israel: Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram

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The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram is a significant event in the history of Israel during their wilderness journey, as recorded in the Book of Numbers, chapter 16. This episode highlights themes of authority, divine judgment, and the consequences of rebellion against God's appointed leaders.

Background and Context

The rebellion occurred during the Israelites' 40-year sojourn in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. Korah, a Levite from the Kohathite clan, along with Dathan and Abiram, who were Reubenites, challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron. This insurrection took place at a time when the Israelites were experiencing the hardships of desert life and were prone to discontent and murmuring.

The Rebellion

Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 prominent community leaders, confronted Moses and Aaron, questioning their leadership and the special status of the priesthood. They argued, "You have gone too far! For all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" (Numbers 16:3). This challenge was not merely against Moses and Aaron but against God's established order and His chosen representatives.

Moses' Response

Moses, recognizing the gravity of the rebellion, fell facedown and sought the LORD's guidance. He proposed a test to determine whom God had chosen: "You, Korah, and all your followers are to do as follows: Take censers, and tomorrow you are to place fire in them and put incense on them before the LORD. Then the man whom the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy" (Numbers 16:6-7).

Divine Judgment

The following day, as the rebels gathered with their censers, the glory of the LORD appeared to the entire assembly. God instructed Moses and Aaron to separate themselves from the congregation so that He might consume the rebels. Moses interceded, pleading with God not to destroy the entire assembly for the sin of a few.

God then commanded the people to move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Moses declared that if these men died a natural death, then the LORD had not sent him. However, if the earth opened and swallowed them alive, it would be a sign that they had treated the LORD with contempt. As soon as Moses finished speaking, the ground beneath them split open, swallowing the rebels and their households, and fire from the LORD consumed the 250 men offering incense (Numbers 16:28-35).

Aftermath and Significance

The rebellion and its dramatic end served as a powerful demonstration of God's authority and the sanctity of His chosen leaders. The censers of the 250 men were hammered into a covering for the altar as a reminder to the Israelites that only the descendants of Aaron were to offer incense before the LORD (Numbers 16:38-40).

Despite this clear demonstration of divine judgment, the following day the entire congregation grumbled against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of killing the LORD's people. In response, God sent a plague that claimed 14,700 lives before Aaron, at Moses' instruction, made atonement for the people by standing between the living and the dead with his censer (Numbers 16:41-50).

The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting God's established order and the leaders He appoints. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rebellion and the need for humility and obedience to divine authority.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 16:1-40
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:
Nave's Topical Index

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:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram
... And all Israel that were round about them fled at the ... But there are cases in which
rebellion must be ... As for any cruelty in putting Korah, Dathan, and Abiram to ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xiii korah dathan and.htm

Numbers
... But the reality fell pitifully short of this fair ideal, for Israel at once succumbed
to the ... The story of the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/numbers.htm

The First Book
... due to his patience that the Egyptians in their rebellion were often ... of them and
smote down the chosen men of Israel." [108 ... Korah taunted him: he was overwhelmed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... Will they not rather imitate Korah, Dathan, and Abiram's friends, even rail at
me for condemning him, as they did at Moses for doing execution? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... no purpose (Romans 9:16). Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness,
have not obtained it (v 30). Here, I do not understand ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm