Rebellion against Moses and Aaron
Numbers 16, verse 1. 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, spoke; Numbers 16, verse 2. and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred fifty men of the children of Israel, rulers of the congregation, chosen members of the council and men of note. Numbers 16, verse 3. They gathered together against Moses and Aaron and said to them, “Let it be understood by you that all the congregation are holy ones, and the Lord is in them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?” Numbers 16, verse 4. So when Moses heard this, he fell on his face; Numbers 16, verse 5. and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, “God examines and knows those who are His and who are His holy ones, and He brings them to Himself; and those He chooses for Himself He brings to Himself. Numbers 16, verse 6. Do this: Take censers, Korah and all his company; Numbers 16, verse 7. put fire and incense in them before the Lord tomorrow, and it shall be that the man the Lord chooses, this is the holy one; and let this be sufficient for you, O sons of Levi.” Numbers 16, verse 8. Then Moses said to Korah, “Hear me, you sons of Levi: Numbers 16, verse 9. Is this a small thing to you, that the God of Israel separated you from the congregation of Israel to bring you near to Himself, to serve the liturgies of the Lord's tabernacle and to stand before the congregation to serve them; Numbers 16, verse 10. and that He brought you near, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi with you? Are you seeking the priesthood also? Numbers 16, verse 11. Thus you and all your company brought together are against God. Furthermore, who is Aaron, that you murmur against him?” Numbers 16, verse 12. Then Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, but they said, “We will not come up. Numbers 16, verse 13. Is this a small thing, that you brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert, and set yourself over us as a ruler? Numbers 16, verse 14. Even if you should bring us into a land flowing with milk and honey, and give us an inheritance of field and vineyards, you would put out the eyes of these men. We will not come up.” Numbers 16, verse 15. Then Moses was very heavy of spirit and said to the Lord, “May You pay no attention to their sacrifice. I have not taken a desirable object from any of them, nor have I harmed any of them.” Numbers 16, verse 16. Then Moses said to Korah, “Sanctify your company and be ready tomorrow before the Lord, you and they, as well as Aaron. Numbers 16, verse 17. Let each take his censer, put incense in it, and bring his censer before the Lord, two hundred fifty censers; both you and Aaron, each with his censer.” Numbers 16, verse 18. So every man took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense on it, and stood at the doors of the tabernacle of testimony with Moses and Aaron. Numbers 16, verse 19. Thus Korah gathered all his company against them at the door of the tabernacle of testimony. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the congregation. Numbers 16, verse 20. The Lord then spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, Numbers 16, verse 21. “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, and I will utterly destroy them at once.” Numbers 16, verse 22. Then they fell on their faces, and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, if one man sinned, will the Lord's anger be on all the congregation?” Numbers 16, verse 23. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Numbers 16, verse 24. “Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Withdraw from around Korah's company.’” Numbers 16, verse 25. Moses then rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel went together with him. Numbers 16, verse 26. Then he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Get away from the tents of these callous men. Touch nothing of theirs, lest you perish together with them in all their sin.” Numbers 16, verse 27. So they got away from around Korah's tent; and Dathan and Abiram went and stood at the doors of their tents, with their wives, their children, and their little ones. Numbers 16, verse 28. Then Moses said, “By this you shall know the Lord sent me to do all these works, and they are not from myself. Numbers 16, verse 29. If these men should die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common visitation of all men, then the Lord has not sent me. Numbers 16, verse 30. But the Lord will show by a sign from heaven that opening its mouth the earth shall swallow them down with their houses, their tents, and everything belonging to them; and they shall go down alive into Hades. Then you shall know these men provoked the Lord.” Numbers 16, verse 31. Now as he finished speaking all these words, the ground split apart under them, Numbers 16, verse 32. and the earth opened and swallowed them down with their houses, and all the men with Korah, and all their tents. Numbers 16, verse 33. So they and all with them went down alive into Hades, and the earth covered them; and they perished from the midst of the congregation. Numbers 16, verse 34. Then all Israel around them fled at their cry, for they were saying, “Lest the earth also swallow us down.” Numbers 16, verse 35. Fire also came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred fifty men offering incense.