Psalm 106:17

17 (105-17) The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan: and covered the congregation of Abiron.

Psalm 106:17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 106:17

The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan
One of the heads of the conspirators against Moses and Aaron; the earth clave asunder under him and his company; opened itself, or its mouth, and devoured them at once. This was a new, marvellous, and unheard of thing, and which manifestly showed the divine displeasure and resentment at their proceedings; and served greatly to confirm the authority and office of Moses and Aaron; see ( Numbers 16:30-33 ) .

And covered the company of Abiram;
another of the heads of the confederacy. Korah is not mentioned, though the earth swallowed up him and all that belonged to him, their houses and their goods; some think the reason is because it was well known that this was his case, when Dathan and Abiram are not so expressly mentioned in the history by Moses; as also because the sons of Korah were now in esteem as singers; nor is On the son of Peleth mentioned, because, as Kimchi says, he repented, and desisted from the conspiracy.

Psalm 106:17 In-Context

15 (105-15) And he gave them their request: and sent fulness into their souls.

16 (105-16) And they provoked Moses in the camp, Aaron the holy one of the Lord.

17 (105-17) The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan: and covered the congregation of Abiron.

18 (105-18) And a fire was kindled in their congregation: the flame burned the wicked.

19 (105-19) They made also a calf in Horeb: and they adored the graven thing.