Numbers 16:33

33 And they went down alive into hell, the ground closing upon them, and they perished from among 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 immediately as he had made an end of speaking, the earth broke asunder under their feet:

32 And opening her mouth, devoured them with their tents and all their substance.

33 And they went down alive into hell, the ground closing upon them, and they perished from among the people.

34 But all Israel, that was standing round about, fled at the cry of them that were perishing: saying: Lest perhaps the earth swallow us up also.

35 And a fire coming out from the Lord, destroyed the two hundred and fifty men that offered the incense.