Lives of Scripture

Abiram, a Reubenite, joined his brother Dathan and 250 leading Israelites, together with Korah of the tribe of Levi, in open rebellion against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, charging, "You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy... Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" (Numbers 16:1-3). When Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram to answer for their rebellion, they refused outright, accusing Moses of failing to bring Israel into the promised land and of trying to lord it over them (16:12-14). Moses warned the whole community to separate from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, declaring that if the LORD did something entirely new -- if the ground itself opened and swallowed them alive -- the people would know these men had spurned the LORD (16:23-30). As soon as Moses finished speaking, the earth split open beneath them and swallowed Dathan, Abiram, their households, and all their possessions; fire also consumed the 250 who had offered incense with Korah (16:31-35). Numbers 26:9-10 and Deuteronomy 11:6 both recall the event as a warning to later generations, and Psalm 106:17 remembers it as a sign of God's judgment on rebellion against His appointed leadership.