Numbers 16:33

33 So they and all theirs went down living into the underworld, and the earth was shut over them, and they were cut off from among the meeting of the people.

Numbers 16:33 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 16:33

They, and all that [appertained] unto them, went down alive
into the pit
The grave which the opening earth made for them, they and their families:

and the earth closed upon them;
and covered them over; this it did of itself, as Aben Ezra remarks: this was a wonderful instance of almighty power, that it should open in such large fissures as to swallow up such a number of men, with their tents, goods, and cattle, and then close again so firmly, as not to have the least appearance upon it of what had happened, as Josephus observes ^F26,

and they perished from among the congregation;
and had a name and a place no more with them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Antiqu. ut supra, (l. 4. c. 3.) sect. 3.

Numbers 16:33 In-Context

31 And while these words were on his lips, the earth under them was parted in two;

32 And the earth, opening her mouth, took them in, with their families, and all the men who were joined to Korah, and their goods.

33 So they and all theirs went down living into the underworld, and the earth was shut over them, and they were cut off from among the meeting of the people.

34 And all Israel round about them went in flight at their cry, For fear, said they, that we go down into the heart of the earth.

35 Then fire came out from the Lord, burning up the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the perfume.