(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.
So they and everything they owned went down alive into Sh'ol, the earth closed over them and their existence in the community ceased.
They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly.
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.
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}.
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
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)