Topical Encyclopedia
Korah's Rebellion and JudgmentKorah, a Levite of the Kohathite clan, is a prominent figure in the narrative of rebellion against divinely appointed leadership, as recorded in the Book of Numbers. His account serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of challenging God's ordained order.
Background and RebellionKorah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and On, led a faction of 250 prominent Israelite men in a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. This insurrection is detailed in
Numbers 16. Korah and his followers accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the assembly of the Lord, questioning their leadership and the special status of the priesthood. They claimed, "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).
Divine JudgmentIn response to this challenge, Moses proposed a test to determine whom the Lord had chosen. Each man was to take his censer and present incense before the Lord. The following day, the glory of the Lord appeared, and God instructed Moses to separate the congregation from the rebels. Moses warned the people, saying, "Depart now from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be swept away in all their sins" (
Numbers 16:26).
The earth then opened its mouth and swallowed Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with their households and all their possessions. "So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol; the earth closed over them, and they perished from the assembly" (
Numbers 16:33). Fire also came forth from the Lord and consumed the 250 men offering incense (
Numbers 16:35).
Significance and LegacyKorah's judgment is a stark reminder of the seriousness of rebellion against God's established order. His account is referenced in later biblical texts as a warning against similar insurrections.
Jude 1:11 mentions those who "perished in Korah’s rebellion," highlighting the severity of his sin and its consequences.
The judgment upon Korah underscores the importance of humility and obedience to God's will. It serves as a powerful example of the divine justice that befalls those who seek to usurp God's chosen leaders and disrupt the unity of His people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Numbers 16:33-35They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed on them: and they perished from among the congregation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." As we are ... The doubts of individuals,
it is true, were still ... but they had no perceptible effect upon the current ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm
Resources
What are the seven trumpets of Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Great White Throne Judgment? | GotQuestions.orgIs Richard Dawkins' caricature of the God of the Old Testament accurate? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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