Bible Strands
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
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator identifies Korah, a Levite descended from Kohath, as he gathers a group of Reubenites including Dathan, Abiram, and On. This assembly occurs immediately before the public confrontation with Moses and the two hundred fifty prominent representatives of the congregation.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַ/יִּקַּ֣ח (va/i.yi.Kach) translates literally as "and he took" or "gathered," denoting the deliberate mobilization of the conspirators. The proper name קֹ֔רַח (Ko.rach) marks the primary instigator, whose lineage is explicitly traced through Izhar, Kohath, and Levi.
The thread — This initial gathering launches the rebellion detailed in Numbers 16:2 and is later referenced in Jude 1:11 as an example of those who follow the path of Cain and the error of Balaam. The text later recalls the destruction of Dathan and Abiram in Deuteronomy 11:6, while Korah’s family line is cataloged in Exodus 6:21.
Why it lands — The verse establishes that organized opposition to divinely appointed leadership originates from specific individuals leveraging their lineage and tribal connections. It requires the reader to distinguish between hereditary religious status and legitimate authority, and to observe the structural progression from private gathering to public rebellion.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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:
Cross-references
- Jude 1:11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed for profit into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.
- Exodus 6:21 The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri.
- Deuteronomy 11:6 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.
- Genesis 49:3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.
- Exodus 6:18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years.
- Numbers 26:9 and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. It was Dathan and Abiram, chosen by the congregation, who rebelled against Moses and Aaron with the followers of Korah who rebelled against the LORD.
- Numbers 27:3 “Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons.
- 1 Chronicles 5:1 These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright.