Psalms 106:17
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 106:17
17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.
Chapter Context
Psalms 106 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of judgment, wisdom, salvation. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-48: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 106:17
17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.
Analysis
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.
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).
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?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Numbers 26:10, Deuteronomy 11:6