Numbers 16:33
They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֨רְד֜וּ
They and all that appertained to them went down
H3381
וַיֵּ֨רְד֜וּ
They and all that appertained to them went down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 13
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חַיִּ֖ים
alive
H2416
חַיִּ֖ים
alive
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
6 of 13
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
שְׁאֹ֑לָה
into the pit
H7585
שְׁאֹ֑לָה
into the pit
Strong's:
H7585
Word #:
7 of 13
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
וַתְּכַ֤ס
closed
H3680
וַתְּכַ֤ס
closed
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וַיֹּֽאבְד֖וּ
upon them and they perished
H6
וַיֹּֽאבְד֖וּ
upon them and they perished
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
Historical Context
The visible, audible judgment created momentary sobriety throughout the camp. However, within 24 hours Israel again accused Moses of killing God's people, demonstrating how quickly fear fades without heart change.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is fear of punishment insufficient to produce genuine faith and lasting obedience?
- How quickly do you forget God's demonstrated power when facing new temptations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
All Israel 'fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.' The fleeing crowd feared corporate judgment, recognizing their own vulnerability to God's wrath. Yet this terror-induced reverence proved temporary, as they rebelled again the next day (v.41), showing fear-based obedience produces no lasting transformation.