Numbers 16:33

33 So they, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into Sheol: and the earth closed on them, and they perished from among 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 It happened, as he made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground split apart that was under them;

32 and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who appertained to Korah, and all their goods.

33 So they, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into Sheol: and the earth closed on them, and they perished from among the assembly.

34 All Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them; for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up.

35 Fire came forth from Yahweh, and devoured the two hundred fifty men who offered the incense.