Numbers 16:32

Authorized King James Version

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And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

Original Language Analysis

וַתִּפְתַּ֤ח opened H6605
וַתִּפְתַּ֤ח opened
Strong's: H6605
Word #: 1 of 16
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ And the earth H776
הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ And the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 2 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 16
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 #: 4 of 16
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
וַתִּבְלַ֥ע and swallowed them up H1104
וַתִּבְלַ֥ע and swallowed them up
Strong's: H1104
Word #: 5 of 16
to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
אֹתָ֖ם H853
אֹתָ֖ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּֽתֵּיהֶ֑ם and their houses H1004
בָּֽתֵּיהֶ֑ם and their houses
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 8 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְאֵ֤ת H853
וְאֵ֤ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 16
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 #: 10 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽאָדָם֙ and all the men H120
הָֽאָדָם֙ and all the men
Strong's: H120
Word #: 11 of 16
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 12 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לְקֹ֔רַח that appertained unto Korah H7141
לְקֹ֔רַח that appertained unto Korah
Strong's: H7141
Word #: 13 of 16
korach, the name of two edomites and three israelites
וְאֵ֖ת H853
וְאֵ֖ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 14 of 16
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 #: 15 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽרְכֽוּשׁ׃ and all their goods H7399
הָֽרְכֽוּשׁ׃ and all their goods
Strong's: H7399
Word #: 16 of 16
property (as gathered)

Analysis & Commentary

They 'went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.' The emphasis on 'alive' (Hebrew 'chai') indicates conscious descent into Sheol, amplifying terror. Complete removal ('they perished from among the congregation') left no physical trace, only warning to future generations.

Historical Context

This judgment answered the rebels' question 'wherefore lift ye up yourselves?' (v.3) definitively. God's choice of Moses and Aaron was vindicated beyond dispute through supernatural demonstration.

Questions for Reflection

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