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:
Original Language Analysis
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֜ה
And what he did
H6213
עָשָׂ֜ה
And what he did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 26
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פִּ֔יהָ
her mouth
H6310
פִּ֔יהָ
her mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
13 of 26
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
וַתִּבְלָעֵ֥ם
and swallowed them up
H1104
וַתִּבְלָעֵ֥ם
and swallowed them up
Strong's:
H1104
Word #:
14 of 26
to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּֽתֵּיהֶ֖ם
and their households
H1004
בָּֽתֵּיהֶ֖ם
and their households
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
16 of 26
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָֽהֳלֵיהֶ֑ם
and their tents
H168
אָֽהֳלֵיהֶ֑ם
and their tents
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
18 of 26
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
וְאֵ֤ת
H853
וְאֵ֤ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיְקוּם֙
and all the substance
H3351
הַיְקוּם֙
and all the substance
Strong's:
H3351
Word #:
21 of 26
properly, standing (extant), i.e., by implication, a living thing
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
22 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּרַגְלֵיהֶ֔ם
that was in their possession
H7272
בְּרַגְלֵיהֶ֔ם
that was in their possession
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
23 of 26
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
בְּקֶ֖רֶב
in the midst
H7130
בְּקֶ֖רֶב
in the midst
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
24 of 26
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
Cross References
Historical Context
Korah's rebellion challenged both Moses's leadership and God's ordained priesthood. The earthquake judgment, combined with fire consuming 250 incense-offering rebels, vindicated God's chosen servants. This event occurred relatively early in the wilderness period, serving as a deterrent to future rebellion.
Questions for Reflection
- What does this severe judgment teach about God's view of rebellion against His appointed authority?
- How should we balance honoring human leadership with ultimate allegiance to God alone?
- Why does God sometimes judge not just individuals but households, and what does this teach about corporate responsibility?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The judgment on Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16) demonstrated God's holiness and the seriousness of rebellion against His appointed leadership. The earth 'opened her mouth and swallowed them up' uses vivid Hebrew imagery—the ground patach peh (פָּתַח פֶּה, 'opened mouth'), as if the earth itself executed divine judgment. This spectacular destruction served as warning against presumption and sedition. Significantly, Moses omits Korah (the Levite ringleader) but emphasizes Dathan and Abiram (Reubenites), perhaps because his immediate audience descended from those tribes and needed this specific warning. The phrase 'their households, and their tents' indicates comprehensive judgment extending to families—sobering reminder of sin's corporate consequences.