Psalms 106:17
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.
Original Language Analysis
תִּפְתַּח
opened
H6605
תִּפְתַּח
opened
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
1 of 8
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
וַתִּבְלַ֣ע
and swallowed up
H1104
וַתִּבְלַ֣ע
and swallowed up
Strong's:
H1104
Word #:
3 of 8
to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
וַ֝תְּכַ֗ס
and covered
H3680
וַ֝תְּכַ֗ס
and covered
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Deuteronomy 11:6And 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:Numbers 26:10And 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.
Historical Context
Numbers 16:31-35 records that the earth split beneath the rebels' tents, swallowing them, their families, possessions, and followers alive into Sheol. The earth closed over them and they 'perished from among the congregation.' Fire then consumed the 250 men offering incense. The survivors feared they would 'all die' (Numbers 17:12-13), recognizing the severity of rebellion against God's order. The censers of the rebels were hammered into plating for the altar as a warning memorial (Numbers 16:36-40).
Questions for Reflection
- What does this extraordinary judgment teach about the seriousness of rebellion against God's authority?
- How should God's past judgments affect our approach to spiritual leadership and order?
- In what ways does the earth swallowing rebels prefigure eternal judgment?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes God's judgment on the Korah rebellion. 'The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan' records the miraculous and terrifying judgment (Numbers 16:31-33). 'Covered the company of Abiram' shows the earth closed over the rebels and their families. This unprecedented judgment demonstrated God's fierce protection of His appointed leadership and the seriousness of challenging divinely-established authority. The ground literally opening and swallowing rebels alive was a unique judgment in Scripture, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of their sin. It also prefigures hell—eternal separation from God, swallowed up in judgment.