Numbers 16:34
And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
Original Language Analysis
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
And all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
And all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
2 of 11
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
סְבִיבֹֽתֵיהֶ֖ם
that were round about
H5439
סְבִיבֹֽתֵיהֶ֖ם
that were round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
4 of 11
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
נָ֣סוּ
them fled
H5127
נָ֣סוּ
them fled
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
5 of 11
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
Historical Context
This occurred at Kadesh during Israel's second year in the wilderness (c. 1444 BC). Korah, a Kohathite, led 250 prominent leaders in challenging Moses and Aaron's authority. The dual judgment—earth swallowing Korah's household, fire consuming the 250 censers—demonstrated God's comprehensive vindication of His appointed leadership.
Questions for Reflection
- Does the fear of God's holiness inform your approach to corporate worship and church discipline?
- How should modern believers balance confidence in Christ's mediation with holy reverence for God's righteous judgment?
- When you witness God's judgment on others, does it produce godly fear or self-righteous presumption?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
All Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them—the Hebrew nuwc (נוּס) means to flee in terror. The ground opening beneath Korah's household produced a za'aqah (צְעָקָה), a cry of distress so horrific that witnesses feared immediate divine judgment upon themselves. Their words "lest the earth swallow us up also" reveal both the terror of God's holiness and recognition that sin brings corporate consequences in covenant community.
This fear was godly and necessary—the fear that leads to wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Israel learned that God's mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט, judgment) is not arbitrary but surgical, separating rebels from the faithful. The earth literally discriminated between Korah's tents and the rest of Israel (v. 32-33).