Numbers 26:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korach when that group died, and the fire consumed 250 men, and they became a warning sign.

Berean Standard Bible:

And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign.

American Standard Version:

and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died; what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men, and they became a sign.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the earth^{H776} opened^{H6605} her mouth^{H6310}, and swallowed them up^{H1104} together with Korah^{H7141}, when that company^{H5712} died^{H4194}, what time the fire^{H784} devoured^{H398} two hundred^{H3967} and fifty^{H2572} men^{H376}: and they became a sign^{H5251}.

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Commentary for Numbers 26:10

Numbers 26:10 is a verse that captures a significant event in the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites following their exodus from Egypt. The verse is part of a larger narrative found in Numbers 16, which details the rebellion of Korah, a Levite, and his associates against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 prominent Israelites, challenged Moses' authority, asserting that all the congregation was holy and that Moses and Aaron had exalted themselves above the assembly of the Lord.

In response to this challenge, God demonstrated His choice of leaders by causing the earth to open up and swallow Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their families, as well as their possessions. This dramatic act was a direct judgment against the rebellion. Additionally, fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering incense, which served as a second sign of divine disapproval of their actions.

The verse in question, Numbers 26:10, specifically references the aftermath of this event, emphasizing that the earth swallowing up Korah and his company, along with the fire consuming the 250 men, became a sign. This sign likely served as a stark reminder to the Israelites of the consequences of rebellion against God and His appointed leaders. It underscores themes of divine authority, the importance of respecting God's chosen representatives, and the seriousness with which God treats challenges to His established order.

The historical context of this event is set within the broader narrative of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. It reflects the struggles of the community to accept God's leadership and the human tendency to rebel against divine authority. The incident also reinforces the roles of Moses and Aaron as God's chosen leaders for the Israelite community, and it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of arrogance and the importance of humility before God.

*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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6605
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּתַח
   Transliteration: pâthach
   Pronunciation: paw-thakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6310
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּה
   Transliteration: peh
   Pronunciation: peh
   Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1104
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּלַע
   Transliteration: bâlaʻ
   Pronunciation: baw-lah'
   Description: a primitive root; to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy; cover, destroy, devour, eat up, be at end, spend up, swallow down (up).
   
5. Strong's Number: H7141
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קֹרַח
   Transliteration: Qôrach
   Pronunciation: ko'rakh
   Description: from קָרַח; ice; Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites; Korah.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5712
   There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵדָה
   Transliteration: ʻêdâh
   Pronunciation: ay-daw'
   Description: feminine of עֵד in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd); assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare עֵדָה.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4194
   There are 155 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָוֶת
   Transliteration: mâveth
   Pronunciation: maw'-veth
   Description: from מוּת; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin; (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d).
   
8. Strong's Number: H784
   There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼêsh
   Pronunciation: aysh
   Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.
   
9. Strong's Number: H398
   There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָכַל
   Transliteration: ʼâkal
   Pronunciation: aw-kal'
   Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3967
    There are 512 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מֵאָה
    Transliteration: mêʼâh
    Pronunciation: may-aw'
    Description: or מֵאיָה; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction; hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore.
    
11. Strong's Number: H2572
    There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֲמִשִּׁים
    Transliteration: chămishshîym
    Pronunciation: kham-ish-sheem'
    Description: multiple of חָמֵשׁ; fifty; fifty.
    
12. Strong's Number: H376
    There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אִישׁ
    Transliteration: ʼîysh
    Pronunciation: eesh
    Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
    
13. Strong's Number: H5251
    There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נֵס
    Transliteration: nêç
    Pronunciation: nace
    Description: from נָסַס; a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token; banner, pole, sail, (en-) sign, standard.