Numbers 26:10
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.
Original Language Analysis
וַתִּפְתַּ֨ח
opened
H6605
וַתִּפְתַּ֨ח
opened
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
1 of 18
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פִּ֗יהָ
her mouth
H6310
פִּ֗יהָ
her mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
4 of 18
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 18
to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
אֹתָ֛ם
H853
אֹתָ֛ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H854
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
קֹ֖רַח
together with Korah
H7141
קֹ֖רַח
together with Korah
Strong's:
H7141
Word #:
8 of 18
korach, the name of two edomites and three israelites
בְּמ֣וֹת
died
H4194
בְּמ֣וֹת
died
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
9 of 18
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
הָֽעֵדָ֑ה
when that company
H5712
הָֽעֵדָ֑ה
when that company
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
10 of 18
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
אֵ֣ת
H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּמָאתַ֙יִם֙
two hundred
H3967
וּמָאתַ֙יִם֙
two hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
15 of 18
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
אִ֔ישׁ
men
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
16 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Cross References
Numbers 16:38The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.2 Peter 2:6And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;Jeremiah 29:22And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;Ezekiel 14:8And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.Numbers 16:2And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:1 Samuel 2:34And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.Jude 1:7Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Historical Context
The earth's opening to swallow the rebels (16:31-33) was supernatural judgment, not natural disaster. This dramatic event became proverbial in Israel's memory (Psalm 106:17, Jude 11). The dual judgments—earth swallowing some, fire consuming others—demonstrated God's varied means of executing justice. This census record, taken decades later, shows how historical memory of judgment should shape community identity and discourage future rebellion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does remembering historical judgments help prevent repeating ancestors' sins?
- What role should divine judgment accounts play in teaching subsequent generations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The description of how 'the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah' graphically memorializes divine judgment on rebellion. The phrase 'when that company died' emphasizes the comprehensive nature of judgment—not just leaders but all conspirators faced consequences. This census inclusion of judgment accounts served pedagogical purpose, teaching each generation that opposing God's appointed order brings destruction. The specific mention that fire consumed 250 men makes this historical record function as perpetual warning.