Numbers 16:33

33 They along with all their possessions descended alive to their graves, and the earth closed over them. They perished in the middle of the assembly.

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 As soon as he finished speaking these words, the ground under them split open.

32 The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, including every human that belonged to Korah and all their possessions.

33 They along with all their possessions descended alive to their graves, and the earth closed over them. They perished in the middle of the assembly.

34 All the Israelites who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, "The earth may swallow us."

35 Then fire went out from the LORD and consumed the two hundred fifty men offering incense.