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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 16:1 Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath son of Levi, along with some Reubenites--Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth--conducted</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/16-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/04_Num_16_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 16:1 - Korah's Rebellion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath son of Levi, along with some Reubenites--Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/15-41.htm" title="Numbers 15:41">◄</a> Numbers 16:1 <a href="/numbers/16-2.htm" title="Numbers 16:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/numbers/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/numbers/16.htm">New International Version</a> Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent <a href="/nlt/numbers/16.htm">New Living Translation</a> One day Korah son of Izhar, a descendant of Kohath son of Levi, conspired with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, from the tribe of Reuben. <a href="/esv/numbers/16.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men. <a href="/bsb/numbers/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted <a href="/kjv/numbers/16.htm">King James Bible</a> Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: <a href="/nkjv/numbers/16.htm">New King James Version</a> Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; <a href="/nasb_/numbers/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men, <a href="/nasb/numbers/16.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took action, <a href="/nasb77/numbers/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took action, <a href="/lsb/numbers/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took others, <a href="/amp/numbers/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, descendants of Reuben, took action, <a href="/csb/numbers/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Now Korah son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took <a href="/hcsb/numbers/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now Korah son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took <a href="/asv/numbers/16.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: <a href="/erv/numbers/16.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: <a href="/gwt/numbers/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Korah (son of Izhar), Dathan and Abiram (sons of Eliab), and On (son of Peleth) dared to challenge Moses. (Korah was a descendant of Kohath and Levi. Dathan, Abiram, and On were descendants of Reuben.) <a href="/isv/numbers/16.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now Izhar's son Korah, the grandson of Kohath, a descendant of Levi, along with Eliab's sons Dathan and Abiram, and Peleth's son On, a descendant of Reuben, took charge <a href="/msb/numbers/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted <a href="/net/numbers/16.htm">NET Bible</a> Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, who were Reubenites, took men <a href="/nheb/numbers/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, took Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, son of Reuben, <a href="/wbt/numbers/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: <a href="/web/numbers/16.htm">World English Bible</a> Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took some men. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/numbers/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, takes both Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, <a href="/ylt/numbers/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, taketh both Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, <a href="/slt/numbers/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Korah son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, will take, and Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab; and On, son of Peleth, sons of Reuben;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/numbers/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And behold Core the son of Isaar, the son of Caath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiron the sons of Eliab, and Hon the son of Pheleth of the children of Ruben, <a href="/cpdv/numbers/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then, behold, Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and also On the son of Peleth, of the sons of Ruben, <a href="/nabre/numbers/16.htm">New American Bible</a> Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and the Reubenites Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On, son of Peleth, son of Reuben took <a href="/nrsvce/numbers/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now Korah son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, along with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—descendants of Reuben—took<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/numbers/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> NOW Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, started a faction; <a href="/hpbt/numbers/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Qorakh son of Itshar, son of Qahath, son of Levi and Dothan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and Wawan son of Pelath, sons of Rubil separated.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/numbers/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; <a href="/sep/numbers/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Core the son of Isaar the son of Caath the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiron, sons of Eliab, and Aun the son of Phaleth the son of Ruben, spoke; <a href="/parallel/numbers/16-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=5030" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/numbers/16.htm">Korah's Rebellion</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/7141.htm" title="7141: qō·raḥ (N-proper-ms) -- An Edomite name, also an Isr. name. From qarach; ice; Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites.">Now Korah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/3324.htm" title="3324: yiṣ·hār (N-proper-ms) -- A Levite. The same as yitshar; Jitshar, an Israelite.">of Izhar,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the son</a> <a href="/hebrew/6955.htm" title="6955: qə·hāṯ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Levi. From an unused root meaning to ally oneself; allied; Kehath, an Israelite.">of Kohath</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: lê·wî (N-proper-ms) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">of Levi,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7205.htm" title="7205: rə·’ū·ḇên (N-proper-ms) -- From the imperative of ra'ah and ben; see ye a son; Reuben, a son of Jacob.">along with some Reubenites—</a> <a href="/hebrew/1885.htm" title="1885: wə·ḏā·ṯān (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- A Reubenite. Of uncertain derivation; Dathan, an Israelite.">Dathan</a> <a href="/hebrew/48.htm" title="48: wa·’ă·ḇî·rām (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Exalted father, an Isr. name. From 'ab and ruwm; father of height; Abiram, the name of two Israelites.">and Abiram,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/446.htm" title="446: ’ĕ·lî·’āḇ (N-proper-ms) -- God is father, the name of several Isr. From 'el and 'ab; God of father; Eliab, the name of six Israelites.">of Eliab,</a> <a href="/hebrew/203.htm" title="203: wə·’ō·wn (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- A chief of the tribe of Reuben. The same as 'own; On, an Israelite.">and On</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/6431.htm" title="6431: pe·leṯ (N-proper-ms) -- Two Isr. From an unused root meaning to flee; swiftness; Peleth, the name of two Israelites.">of Peleth—</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">conducted</a> 2a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 men of Israel renowned as leaders of the congregation and representatives in the assembly.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/jude/1-11.htm">Jude 1:11</a> Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. <a href="/2_peter/2-10.htm">2 Peter 2:10</a> Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings. <a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">1 Samuel 15:23</a> For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.” <a href="/psalms/106-16.htm">Psalm 106:16-18</a> In the camp they envied Moses, as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD. / The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it covered the assembly of Abiram. / Then fire blazed through their company; flames consumed the wicked. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-10.htm">1 Corinthians 10:10</a> And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. <a href="/2_timothy/2-19.htm">2 Timothy 2:19</a> Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.” <a href="/deuteronomy/11-6.htm">Deuteronomy 11:6</a> and what He did in the midst of all the Israelites to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab the Reubenite, when the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their households, their tents, and every living thing that belonged to them. <a href="/hebrews/3-16.htm">Hebrews 3:16</a> For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? <a href="/romans/13-2.htm">Romans 13:2</a> Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. <a href="/exodus/6-18.htm">Exodus 6:18</a> The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years. <a href="/exodus/6-21.htm">Exodus 6:21</a> The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. <a href="/exodus/6-24.htm">Exodus 6:24</a> The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These were the clans of the Korahites. <a href="/1_chronicles/6-37.htm">1 Chronicles 6:37</a> the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, <a href="/1_chronicles/6-22.htm">1 Chronicles 6:22</a> The descendants of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, <a href="/1_chronicles/6-38.htm">1 Chronicles 6:38</a> the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:Korah<a href="/numbers/26-9.htm">Numbers 26:9,10</a> And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD: … <a href="/numbers/27-3.htm">Numbers 27:3</a> Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons.<a href="/exodus/6-18.htm">Exodus 6:18,21</a> And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years… sons of Reuben<a href="/genesis/49-3.htm">Genesis 49:3,4</a> Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: … <a href="/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1,2</a> Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright… took men.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/106-17.htm">Abiram</a> <a href="/psalms/106-17.htm">Abi'ram</a> <a href="/genesis/41-34.htm">Action</a> <a href="/genesis/18-31.htm">Bold</a> <a href="/psalms/106-17.htm">Dathan</a> <a href="/numbers/7-29.htm">Eliab</a> <a href="/numbers/10-16.htm">Eli'ab</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-13.htm">Insolent</a> <a href="/numbers/3-19.htm">Izhar</a> <a href="/numbers/7-9.htm">Kohath</a> <a href="/exodus/6-24.htm">Korah</a> <a href="/numbers/4-2.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/exodus/6-14.htm">Pallu</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/2-33.htm">Peleth</a> <a href="/numbers/15-12.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/numbers/13-4.htm">Reuben</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-16.htm">Reubenites</a> <a href="/numbers/15-38.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/16-12.htm">Abiram</a> <a href="/numbers/16-12.htm">Abi'ram</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-39.htm">Action</a> <a href="/job/41-10.htm">Bold</a> <a href="/numbers/16-12.htm">Dathan</a> <a href="/numbers/16-12.htm">Eliab</a> <a href="/numbers/16-12.htm">Eli'ab</a> <a href="/psalms/5-5.htm">Insolent</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-7.htm">Izhar</a> <a href="/numbers/26-57.htm">Kohath</a> <a href="/numbers/16-5.htm">Korah</a> <a href="/numbers/16-7.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/numbers/26-5.htm">Pallu</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/2-33.htm">Peleth</a> <a href="/numbers/21-27.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/numbers/26-7.htm">Reuben</a> <a href="/numbers/26-7.htm">Reubenites</a> <a href="/numbers/16-3.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 16</div>1. <a href="/numbers/16-1.htm">The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram</a> 23. <a href="/numbers/16-23.htm">Moses separates the people from the rebels' tents</a> 31. <a href="/numbers/16-31.htm">The earth swallows up Korah, and a fire consumes others</a> 36. <a href="/numbers/16-36.htm">The censers are reserved to holy use</a> 41. <a href="/numbers/16-41.htm">14,700 are slain by a plague, for murmuring against Moses and Aaron</a> 46. <a href="/numbers/16-46.htm">Aaron by incense stays the plague</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/numbers/16.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>Now Korah son of Izhar The name "Korah" in Hebrew is קֹרַח (Qorach), which means "bald" or "ice." Korah was a Levite, a member of the tribe set apart for religious duties. His lineage is significant because it highlights his close proximity to the priestly duties, yet his heart was not aligned with God's appointed leadership. This serves as a reminder that proximity to holy things does not guarantee a holy heart. Korah's rebellion is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and ambition.the son of Kohath Kohath was one of the sons of Levi, and his descendants were responsible for the care of the most sacred objects of the tabernacle. The Kohathites had a privileged position, yet Korah's dissatisfaction shows that even those with significant roles can fall into the trap of envy and discontent. This highlights the importance of contentment and faithfulness in the roles God assigns us.the son of Levi Levi was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, and his descendants were set apart for religious service. The Levites were chosen by God to serve in the tabernacle, emphasizing the theme of divine election and service. Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron, who were also Levites, underscores the tension between divine calling and human ambition.along with Dathan and Abiram Dathan and Abiram were Reubenites, descendants of Jacob's firstborn son, Reuben. Their involvement in the rebellion suggests a broader discontent among the tribes, not just within the Levites. Historically, the Reubenites may have felt slighted since the birthright traditionally belonged to the firstborn. This reflects the dangers of holding onto past grievances and the destructive power of unresolved bitterness.the sons of Eliab Eliab was a member of the tribe of Reuben. The mention of their father highlights the familial and tribal connections that often play a role in biblical narratives. It serves as a reminder of the influence of family and community in shaping one's actions and beliefs.and On son of Peleth On is mentioned here but does not appear later in the narrative, suggesting he may have withdrawn from the rebellion. His inclusion and subsequent absence could symbolize the possibility of repentance and the choice to step away from sin. Peleth, his father, is not mentioned elsewhere, indicating that On's decision was personal rather than familial.conducted a rebellion against Moses The Hebrew word for "rebellion" is קוּם (qum), meaning to rise up or stand against. This rebellion was not just against Moses as a leader but against God's appointed order. It serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of challenging divine authority and the importance of humility and submission to God's will.along with some of the Israelites This phrase indicates that the rebellion was not isolated but had broader support among the people. It highlights the ease with which discontent can spread and the responsibility of leaders to address underlying issues before they escalate. It also serves as a warning to the community of believers to guard against divisive influences and to seek unity under God's guidance.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XVI.(1) Now Korah, the son of Izhar . . . --Some suppose that the copula before "Dathan and Abiram" should be omitted, and that the verse should be rendered thus: Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, took Dathan and Abiram, &c. The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram is the only important event which is recorded in connection with the protracted wandering in the desert. The time and place of its occurrence cannot be positively determined. The circumstances out of which it appears to have arisen render it probable that it took place during one of the early years of the wanderings in the wilderness, either during the abode at Kadesh or subsequently to the departure from it. In favour of the supposition that the occurrence took place during the sojourn at Kadesh, it may be urged--(1) that the history of the Israelites between the first and the second encampments at Kadesh appears to be designedly regarded and treated as a blank; and (2) that during that interval they appear to have been dispersed over the face of the wilderness, whilst the narrative of the rebellion of Korah seems to assume the concentration of the people in one place. The whole of the narrative bears the clear impress of historical truth. The leaders of the rebellion, amongst whom Korah holds the most conspicuous place (comp. <a href="/numbers/16-1.htm" title="Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:">Numbers 16:1</a>; <a href="/numbers/26-9.htm" title="And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:">Numbers 26:9</a>; <a href="/jude/1-11.htm" title="Woe to them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.">Jude 1:11</a>), belonged to the tribes of Levi and Reuben. Korah, as the descendant of Izhar, the brother of Amram, who was the father (or. as some maintain, the more distant ancestor) of Moses and Aaron, may well be supposed to have been jealous of the peculiar prerogatives of the priestly family, and also of the leadership of Elizaphan, the son of Uzziel (<a href="/numbers/3-30.htm" title="And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.">Numbers 3:30</a>), who appears to have been the youngest son of Kohath, whilst the name of Izhar stands next to that of Amram (<a href="/numbers/3-19.htm" title="And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.">Numbers 3:19</a>). Dathan and Abiram, moreover, as the sons of Eliab, the son of Pallu, the son of Reuben (<a href="/context/numbers/26-5.htm" title="Reuben, the oldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom comes the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:">Numbers 26:5-9</a>), who was the eldest son of Jacob, may, on like grounds, be supposed to have been discontented on account of the transference of the birthright, and the consequent loss of the leadership which had been possessed by their tribe, and which was now held by the tribe of Judah. It is possible that they may have regarded the priesthood also as amongst the prerogatives of the firstborn which should have descended to them. The proximity of the Kohathites to the Reubenites--for both were encamped on the south side of the Tabernacle--afforded opportunity for their common deliberations; and it has been inferred by some, from <a href="/context/numbers/16-24.htm" title="Speak to the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.">Numbers 16:24-27</a>, that they had erected a tabernacle in rivalry with the Tabernacle of the Congregation. No further mention is made of the name of On, nor is he expressly included in the account of the final punishment. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - Now Korah... took men. וַיִּקַּח קֹרַח. The word "took" stands alone at the head of the sentence in the singular number. This does not by itself confine its reference to Korah, because it may be taken as repeated after each of the other names; at the same time, the construction suggests that in its original form Korah alone was mentioned, and that the other names were afterwards added in order to include them in the same statement. The ellipsis after "took" (if it be one) may be filled up by "men," as in the A.V. and in most versions, or by "counsel," as in the Jerusalem Targum. The Septuagint has in place of יִקַּח ἐλάλησε, representing apparently a different reading. Some commentators regard it as an anacoluthon for "took two hundred and fifty men... and rose up with them;" others, again, treat the "took" as a pleonasm, as in <a href="/2_samuel/18-18.htm">2 Samuel 18:18</a> and elsewhere; but the change of number from וַיִּקַּח to וַיָּקוּטוּ makes it difficult. It seems best to say that the construction is broken and cannot be satisfactorily explained. Indeed there can be no question that the whole narrative, like the construction of the opening verses, is rely confused, and leaves on the mind the impression that it has been altered, not very skillfully, from its original form. The two parts of the tragedy, that concerning the company of Korah, and that concerning the Reubenites, although mingled in the narrative, do not adjust themselves in the mind, and the general effect is obscure. It is sufficient to point out here that no one can certainly tell what became of the ringleader himself, who was obviously the head and front of the whole business. Some are strenuously of opinion that he was swallowed up alive, others as strenuously that he was consumed with fire; but the simple fact is that his death is not recorded in this chapter at all, although he is assumed to have perished. The obscurity which hangs over this passage cannot be traced to any certain cause; the discrepancies and contradictions which have been discovered in it are clue to mistake or misrepresentation; nor can any evil motive be plausibly assigned for the interpolation (if it be such) of that part of the story which concerns the Reubenites. If, for some reason unknown to us, an original narrative of Korah's rebellion was enlarged so as to include the simultaneous mutiny of the Reubenites and their fate; and if, further, that enlargement was so unskillfully made as to leave considerable confusion in the narrative, wherein does that affect either its truth or its inspiration? The supernatural influence which watched over the production of the sacred narrative certainly did not interfere with any of those natural causes which affected its composition, its style, its clearness or obscurity. Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi. On the genealogy of the Levites see Exodus 6:16-22, and above on Numbers 3:17-19. It is generally supposed that some generations are passed over in these genealogies. Korah belonged to the same Kohathite sub-tribe as Moses and Aaron, and was related to them by some sort of cousinship; his father (or ancestor) Izhar was the younger brother of Amram and the elder brother of Uzziel, whose descendant Elizaphan had been made chief of the Kohathites. Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab. Eliab himself was apparently the only son of Pallu, the second son of Reuben (<a href="/numbers/26-5.htm">Numbers 26:5, 8</a>). If the word "son" is to be literally understood in all these cases, then Korah, Dathan, and Abiram would all be great-great-grandsons of Jacob himself. On, the son of Peleth. It is one of the strange obscurities of this narrative that On, who appears here as a ringleader, is never mentioned again either in this chapter or elsewhere. Sons of Reuben. Reubenites. The encampment of their tribe was on the south side of the tabernacle in the outer line (<a href="/numbers/2-10.htm">Numbers 2:10</a>), while that of the Kohathites was on the same side in the inner line. Thus they were to some extent neighbours; but see below on verse 24. <a href="/commentaries/numbers/16-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now Korah קֹ֔רַח (qō·raḥ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7141.htm">Strong's 7141: </a> Korah -- an Edomite name, also an Israelite name son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Izhar, יִצְהָ֥ר (yiṣ·hār) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3324.htm">Strong's 3324: </a> Izhar -- a Levite the son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Kohath קְהָ֖ת (qə·hāṯ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6955.htm">Strong's 6955: </a> Kohath -- a son of Levi son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Levi, לֵוִ֑י (lê·wî) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3878.htm">Strong's 3878: </a> Levi -- a son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him along with some Reubenites— רְאוּבֵֽן׃ (rə·’ū·ḇên) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7205.htm">Strong's 7205: </a> Reuben -- 'behold a son!' oldest son of Jacob, also his desc Dathan וְדָתָ֨ן (wə·ḏā·ṯān) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1885.htm">Strong's 1885: </a> Dathan -- a Reubenite and Abiram, וַאֲבִירָ֜ם (wa·’ă·ḇî·rām) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_48.htm">Strong's 48: </a> Abiram -- 'exalted father', an Israelite name sons בְּנֵ֧י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Eliab, אֱלִיאָ֛ב (’ĕ·lî·’āḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_446.htm">Strong's 446: </a> Eliab -- 'God is father', the name of several Israelites and On וְא֥וֹן (wə·’ō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_203.htm">Strong's 203: </a> On -- a chief of the tribe of Reuben son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Peleth— פֶּ֖לֶת (pe·leṯ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6431.htm">Strong's 6431: </a> Peleth -- two Israelites conducted וַיִּקַּ֣ח (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/16-1.htm">Numbers 16:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/numbers/16-1.htm">Numbers 16:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/numbers/16-1.htm">Numbers 16:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/numbers/16-1.htm">Numbers 16:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/numbers/16-1.htm">Numbers 16:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/16-1.htm">Numbers 16:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/16-1.htm">Numbers 16:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/16-1.htm">Numbers 16:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/16-1.htm">Numbers 16:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/numbers/16-1.htm">Numbers 16:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/numbers/16-1.htm">OT Law: Numbers 16:1 Now Korah the son of Izhar (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/15-41.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 15:41"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 15:41" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/16-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 16:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 16:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>