Back to Numbers 16

Numbers 16:27-33

So they went away from the tent of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side. Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood at the door of their tents with their wives, their sons, and their little ones.

Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that Yahweh has sent me to do all these works; for they are not from my own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they experience what all men experience, then Yahweh hasn’t sent me. But if Yahweh makes a new thing, and the ground opens its mouth, and swallows them up with all that belong to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall understand that these men have despised Yahweh.”

As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split apart. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all of Korah’s men, and all their goods. So they, and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol. The earth closed on them, and they perished from among the assembly.

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Numbers 16:27-33 sits inside this longer paragraph.

So they went away from the tent of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side. Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood at the door of their tents with their wives, their sons, and their little ones.

Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that Yahweh has sent me to do all these works; for they are not from my own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they experience what all men experience, then Yahweh hasn’t sent me. But if Yahweh makes a new thing, and the ground opens its mouth, and swallows them up with all that belong to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall understand that these men have despised Yahweh.”

As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split apart. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all of Korah’s men, and all their goods. So they, and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol. The earth closed on them, and they perished from among the assembly. All Israel that were around them fled at their cry; for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up!” Fire came out from Yahweh, and devoured the two hundred fifty men who offered the incense.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    So they went away from the tent of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side. Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood at the door of their tents with their wives, their sons, and their little ones.

    Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that Yahweh has sent me to do all these works; for they are not from my own mind.

    If these men die the common death of all men, or if they experience what all men experience, then Yahweh hasn’t sent me.

    But if Yahweh makes a new thing, and the ground opens its mouth, and swallows them up with all that belong to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall understand that these men have despised Yahweh.”

    As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split apart.

    The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all of Korah’s men, and all their goods.

    So they, and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol. The earth closed on them, and they perished from among the assembly.

  • KJV King James Version

    So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

    And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.

    If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.

    But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.

    And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:

    And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

    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.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    So they got them up from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side; and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, and their sons, and their little ones.

    And Moses said: 'Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works, and that I have not done them of mine own mind.

    If these men die the common death of all men, and be visited after the visitation of all men, then the LORD hath not sent Me.

    But if the LORD make a new thing, and the ground open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down alive into the pit, then ye shall understand that these men have despised the LORD.'

    And it came to pass, as he made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground did cleave asunder that was under them.

    And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

    So 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 assembly.

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Contradictions (1)

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Cross-references (65)

  • Exodus 3:12 (v28) He said, “Certainly I will be with you. This will be the token to you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt,…
  • John 6:38 (v28) For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.
  • Numbers 26:11 (v32) Notwithstanding, the sons of Korah didn’t die.
  • Psalms 55:15 (v30) Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling.
  • Psalms 106:17 (v32) The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.
Show all 63 cross-references
  • Jeremiah 23:16 (v28) Yahweh of Armies says, “Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They teach you vanity. They speak a vision of their…
  • Ezekiel 13:17 (v28) You, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy against them,
  • John 5:36 (v28) But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John, for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I…
  • John 14:11 (v28) Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
  • Exodus 4:1-9 (v28) Moses answered, “But, behold, they will not believe me, nor listen to my voice; for they will say, ‘Yahweh has not appeared to you.’ ”…
  • Exodus 7:9 (v28) “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Perform a miracle!’ then you shall tell Aaron, ‘Take your rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, and…
  • Numbers 16:33 (v30) So they, and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol. The earth closed on them, and they perished from among the assembly.
  • Deuteronomy 18:22 (v28) When a prophet speaks in Yahweh’s name, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken. The prophet…
  • 1 Kings 18:36 (v28) At the time of the evening offering, Elijah the prophet came near, and said, “Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it…
  • Zechariah 2:9 (v28) For, behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they will be a plunder to those who served them; and you will know that Yahweh of Armies…
  • Zechariah 4:9 (v28) “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands shall also finish it; and you will know that Yahweh of Armies…
  • John 5:30 (v28) I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father…
  • John 11:42 (v28) I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude standing around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”
  • Revelation 12:16 (v32) The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon spewed out of his mouth.
  • Numbers 27:3 (vv31–32) “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against Yahweh in the company of…
  • Deuteronomy 11:6 (vv31–32) and what he did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben—how the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their…
  • 1 Kings 22:28 (v29) Micaiah said, “If you return at all in peace, Yahweh has not spoken by me.” He said, “Listen, all you people!”
  • 1 Chronicles 6:22 (v32) The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
  • Job 31:3 (v30) Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, and disaster to the workers of iniquity?
  • Psalms 106:17-18 (v31) The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. A fire was kindled in their company. The flame burned up the…
  • Isaiah 5:14 (v32) Therefore Sheol has enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, their multitude, their pomp, and he who…
  • Lamentations 4:22 (v29) The punishment of your iniquity is accomplished, daughter of Zion. He will no more carry you away into captivity. He will visit your…
  • Exodus 32:34 (v29) Now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I…
  • Numbers 16:17 (v32) Each man take his censer and put incense on it, and each man bring before Yahweh his censer, two hundred fifty censers; you also, and…
  • Numbers 16:30 (v32) But if Yahweh makes a new thing, and the ground opens its mouth, and swallows them up with all that belong to them, and they go down alive…
  • Numbers 24:13 (v28) ‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond Yahweh’s word, to do either good or bad from my own mind. I…
  • Numbers 26:10-11 (v31) and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah when that company died; at the time the fire devoured two hundred…
  • 2 Kings 9:30-31 (v27) When Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and adorned her head, and looked out at the window. As Jehu…
  • 1 Chronicles 6:37 (v32) the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,
  • 2 Chronicles 18:27 (v29) Micaiah said, “If you return at all in peace, Yahweh has not spoken by me.” He said, “Listen, you people, all of you!”
  • Job 9:4 (v27) God who is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who has hardened himself against him and prospered?
  • Job 35:15 (v29) But now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance.
  • Job 40:10-11 (v27) “Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity. Array yourself with honor and majesty. Pour out the fury of your anger. Look at everyone…
  • Psalms 9:15 (v33) The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken.
  • Psalms 55:23 (v33) But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I…
  • Psalms 69:15 (v33) Don’t let the flood waters overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up. Don’t let the pit shut its mouth on me.
  • Psalms 84:1 (v32) How lovely are your dwellings, Yahweh of Armies!
  • Psalms 85:1 (v32) Yahweh, you have been favorable to your land. You have restored the fortunes of Jacob.
  • Psalms 88:1 (v32) Yahweh, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you.
  • Psalms 143:7 (v33) Hurry to answer me, Yahweh. My spirit fails. Don’t hide your face from me, so that I don’t become like those who go down into the pit.
  • Proverbs 16:18 (v27) Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
  • Proverbs 18:12 (v27) Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
  • Ecclesiastes 3:19 (v29) For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they…
  • Isaiah 10:3 (v29) What will you do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? Where will you…
  • Isaiah 14:9 (v33) Sheol from beneath has moved for you to meet you at your coming. It stirs up the departed spirits for you, even all the rulers of the…
  • Isaiah 14:15 (v33) Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit.
  • Isaiah 28:14 (v27) Therefore hear Yahweh’s word, you scoffers, that rule this people in Jerusalem:
  • Isaiah 28:21 (v30) For Yahweh will rise up as on Mount Perazim. He will be angry as in the valley of Gibeon; that he may do his work, his unusual work, and…
  • Isaiah 43:19 (v30) Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
  • Isaiah 45:7 (v30) I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create calamity. I am Yahweh, who does all these things.
  • Isaiah 45:12 (v30) I have made the earth, and created man on it. I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens. I have commanded all their army.
  • Jeremiah 5:9 (v29) Shouldn’t I punish them for these things?” says Yahweh. “Shouldn’t my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
  • Jeremiah 31:22 (v30) How long will you go here and there, you backsliding daughter? For Yahweh has created a new thing in the earth: a woman will encompass a…
  • Ezekiel 32:18 (v33) “Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her and the daughters of the famous nations, to the lower parts of…
  • Ezekiel 32:30 (v33) “There are the princes of the north, all of them, and all the Sidonians, who have gone down with the slain. They are put to shame in the…
  • Jude 1:11 (v33) Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion.
  • Genesis 4:11 (v32) Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
  • Exodus 20:5 (v29) you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on…

63 distinct cross-references across this passage (65 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (16 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv28, 30 I have not forged them of mine own brain.

I have not forged them of mine own brain.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv27–33 Num 16:27 So they gat up from the tabernacle…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33 Their tents were not far asunder, being both on…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv27–33 So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah,…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv27, 28, 29, 32, 33 Stood in the door - An argument of their…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv30, 33 Verse 30. If the Lord make a new thing]…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv27, 28, 29, 32 Num 16:27. Stood in the door — An argument…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv27, 32 Stood in the door of their tents - Apparently…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv27, 30, 32, 33 People, (frequentia). The Septuagint generally translate tappam by aposkene,…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv27–28 the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram--Korah being a…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv27–33 27. Stood in the door of their tents —…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv27, 30 27. the tabernacle of Korah &c.] Read the tabernacle…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv27, 28, 30, 32 (27) And Dathan and Abiram came out . .…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv27–32 And Dathan and Abiram... stood in the door of…
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv28, 31, 33 By this you will know
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv28, 31 16:28-30 Moses had faith that God would enact his…
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