Numbers 16:33

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

They, and all that [appertained] to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

Complete Jewish Bible:

So they and everything they owned went down alive into Sh'ol, the earth closed over them and their existence in the community ceased.

Berean Standard Bible:

They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

They, and all that appertained to them, went down{H3381} alive{H2416} into the pit{H7585}, and the earth{H776} closed{H3680} upon them: and they perished{H6} from among{H8432} the congregation{H6951}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Jude 1:11

  • Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Isaiah 14:9

  • Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet [thee] at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, [even] all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

Ezekiel 32:30

  • There [be] the princes of the north, all of them, and all the Zidonians, which are gone down with the slain; with their terror they are ashamed of their might; and they lie uncircumcised with [them that be] slain by the sword, and bear their shame with them that go down to the pit.

Ezekiel 32:18

  • Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, [even] her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.

Psalms 143:7

  • ¶ Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

Psalms 69:15

  • Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

Psalms 55:23

  • But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

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Commentary for Numbers 16:33

Numbers 16:33 is part of the narrative concerning the rebellion of Korah, a Levite, and his followers against the leadership of Moses and Aaron within the Israelite community. The verse specifically describes the divine punishment inflicted upon Korah and his co-conspirators. Here's a concise summary of the themes and historical context:

**Themes:**
1. **Divine Authority:** The verse underscores the theme of God's authority, which is mediated through His chosen leaders, Moses and Aaron. Rebellion against this divinely appointed leadership is portrayed as a direct challenge to God Himself.
2. **Judgment and Justice:** The immediate and severe punishment of Korah and his followers illustrates the theme of divine judgment. It serves as a warning to the Israelites (and by extension, to readers) about the consequences of questioning God's ordained order.
3. **Faithfulness and Unfaithfulness:** The narrative contrasts the faithfulness of Moses and Aaron with the unfaithfulness of the rebels. This theme emphasizes the importance of trust and obedience to God's commands and the leaders He has chosen.

**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The event occurs during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, after their exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land. This period is characterized by the formation of Israel's religious and social structures.
- **Leadership Disputes:** The Israelites frequently challenged Moses' leadership, and the rebellion of Korah is one of the most significant of these challenges. It reflects the broader context of the people's struggle to accept God's authority and the leadership He established.
- **Priestly Hierarchy:** The rebellion also relates to the establishment of the priestly hierarchy, with Aaron and his lineage designated as the priestly class. Korah's challenge is partly against this exclusive role of the Aaronic priesthood.

In summary, Numbers 16:33 is set within a larger narrative of rebellion against divine authority and the established social order. It reinforces the themes of God's sovereignty, the importance of respecting His chosen leaders, and the serious consequences of disobedience and dissent. The historical context reflects the challenges faced by the emerging nation of Israel as they navigated the establishment of their religious and social identity in the wilderness.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H3381
    There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָרַד
    Transliteration: yârad
    Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
    Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.
  2. Strong's Number: H2416
    There are 452 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חַי
    Transliteration: chay
    Pronunciation: khah'-ee
    Description: from חָיָה; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively; [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.
  3. Strong's Number: H7585
    There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שְׁאוֹל
    Transliteration: shᵉʼôwl
    Pronunciation: sheh-ole'
    Description: or שְׁאֹל; from שָׁאַל; Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates; grave, hell, pit.
  4. Strong's Number: H776
    There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶרֶץ
    Transliteration: ʼerets
    Pronunciation: eh'-rets
    Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
  5. Strong's Number: H3680
    There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כָּסָה
    Transliteration: kâçâh
    Pronunciation: kaw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה.
  6. Strong's Number: H6
    There are 14291 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָבַד
    Transliteration: ʼâbad
    Pronunciation: aw-bad'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy); break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee.
  7. Strong's Number: H8432
    There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
    Transliteration: tâvek
    Pronunciation: taw'-vek
    Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in).
  8. Strong's Number: H6951
    There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָהָל
    Transliteration: qâhâl
    Pronunciation: kaw-hawl'
    Description: from קָהַל; assemblage (usually concretely); assembly, company, congregation, multitude.