Psalms 106:17

KJV

The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

KJV (with Strong's)

The earth {H776} opened {H6605} and swallowed up {H1104} Dathan {H1885}, and covered {H3680} the company {H5712} of Abiram {H48}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The earth opened up and swallowed Datan and closed over Aviram's allies.

Berean Standard Bible

The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it covered the assembly of Abiram.

American Standard Version

The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, And covered the company of Abiram.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 106:17 vividly recounts a specific instance of divine judgment during Israel's wilderness wanderings, where the earth supernaturally opened to consume Dathan and the company of Abiram. This stark event, drawn from the historical record in Numbers, serves as a powerful reminder of the severe consequences of rebellion against God's established authority and His righteous indignation against defiant sin, underscoring both His holiness and His unwavering commitment to His covenant order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 106 is a confessional and historical psalm, part of Book Four of the Psalter (Psalms 90-106). It serves as a comprehensive recounting of Israel's history from the Exodus through the wilderness and into the Promised Land, emphasizing their repeated cycles of rebellion, God's righteous judgment, and His enduring mercy. Verse 17 is situated within a section (verses 16-18) that specifically details the rebellion against Moses and Aaron, highlighting Israel's stubbornness and ingratitude. This particular event is presented as a prime example of their provocation of God, leading to direct divine intervention and judgment, setting the stage for further reflections on Israel's unfaithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The event described in Psalms 106:17 directly refers to the rebellion of Dathan and Abiram, along with Korah, against the divinely appointed leadership of Moses and Aaron, as recorded in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion"). This occurred during Israel's forty-year wilderness journey after their exodus from Egypt. At its core, the rebellion was a challenge to God's unique anointing of Moses and Aaron as the spiritual and political leaders of the nation. In a society where divine authority was mediated through chosen leaders, such a challenge was not merely a political coup attempt but a direct affront to God Himself. The dramatic nature of the earth opening up was an unprecedented and terrifying act, designed to unequivocally confirm God's chosen leadership and to demonstrate the absolute severity of defying His established order.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 106 and the broader biblical narrative. It exemplifies the theme of **Rebellion Against Divine Authority**, illustrating the grave danger of challenging God's chosen representatives and, by extension, God Himself. It starkly portrays **Divine Judgment**, showcasing God's immediate and decisive response to blatant sin and defiance, underscoring His holiness and justice. Furthermore, it highlights the **Consequences of Disobedience**, demonstrating that choices of rebellion and unbelief inevitably lead to severe, often catastrophic, outcomes, serving as a warning against similar attitudes throughout history, as seen in passages like [Jude 1:11](/jude/1-11 "Jude 1:11 - Woe to those who follow the way of Cain and Korah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **swallowed up (Hebrew, _bala'_)**: This verb signifies a complete engulfment or consumption, often with a sense of suddenness and finality. In the context of the earth, it implies a gaping maw that completely absorbs, leaving no trace. It's a forceful, irreversible action, emphasizing the totality of the divine judgment.
* **covered (Hebrew, _kasah_)**: While _bala'_ speaks to the act of engulfing, _kasah_ denotes concealment or covering over. Once swallowed, the earth then "covered" them, implying that the fissure closed, sealing them away from the living. This word reinforces the idea of utter disappearance and irreversible judgment, ensuring that their memory, in terms of their physical presence, was obliterated from the surface of the earth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan,"**: This clause describes the supernatural and terrifying initiation of judgment. The earth, an inanimate object, is depicted as actively "opening" and "swallowing," indicating a direct, miraculous intervention by God. Dathan is specifically named as a primary leader of the rebellion, highlighting his direct culpability and the personal nature of God's judgment against him. This act was a public spectacle, designed to instill fear and reverence for God's authority.
* **"and covered the company of Abiram."**: This second clause expands the scope of the judgment beyond just the named individual to include "the company of Abiram." Abiram was Dathan's brother and co-conspirator, and "his company" refers to his household, tents, and all the people and possessions associated with him, as detailed in [Numbers 16:32](/numbers/16-32 "Numbers 16:32 - The Earth Swallows Dathan and Abiram's Households"). The verb "covered" emphasizes the finality of their disappearance into the earth, sealing their fate and removing them from the community of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The Psalmist employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the gravity and impact of this divine judgment. **Personification** is evident in the depiction of "the earth opened and swallowed up," attributing active, volitional qualities to the ground itself, making it an agent of God's wrath. This heightens the drama and emphasizes the supernatural nature of the event. **Metonymy** is also present, as "Dathan" and "Abiram" stand in for their entire rebellious faction, including their families and possessions, who were also consumed by the earth. While the verse names only them, the historical account makes it clear the judgment extended to their "company." Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful **allusion** to the detailed narrative found in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion"), relying on the audience's familiarity with that foundational historical event to evoke its full horror and theological significance. The stark, concise language itself contributes to the **pathos** and **gravity** of the judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 106:17 serves as a stark theological reminder of God's absolute sovereignty and His intolerance of rebellion against His divine order. The immediate, supernatural judgment upon Dathan and Abiram underscores the seriousness of challenging God's appointed authority, whether it be His direct commands or the leaders He has chosen. This event demonstrates that God is not passive in the face of defiant sin; His holiness demands a response, and His justice is certain. It highlights the principle that while God is merciful and long-suffering, there are boundaries to His patience, and persistent, open rebellion will incur severe consequences, serving as a perpetual warning to all who would despise divine authority.

* [Numbers 16:30-33](/numbers/16-30 "The Earth Swallows the Rebels")
* [Jude 1:11](/jude/1-11 "Woe to those who perish in Korah's rebellion")
* [Romans 13:1-2](/romans/13-1 "Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dramatic judgment of Dathan and Abiram, recounted in Psalms 106:17, transcends its historical context to offer profound lessons for believers today. While we do not anticipate the earth opening to swallow us, the underlying principle of God's intolerance for rebellion and His demand for submission to His will remains constant. This verse calls us to a deep humility before God, recognizing His supreme authority in all areas of life, including the authorities He has established in our homes, churches, and governments. It challenges us to examine our hearts for any seeds of pride, defiance, or a critical spirit that would lead us to question or undermine God's order. Furthermore, it serves as a sober reminder of the gravity of sin and the certainty of God's justice, urging us towards a life of faithful obedience, trust, and reverence, knowing that true freedom and blessing are found in aligning ourselves with His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly or overtly resisting God's authority or the authorities He has placed over me?**
* **How does the swiftness and severity of God's judgment against Dathan and Abiram shape my understanding of His holiness and justice?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a spirit of humility and submission to God's will in my daily life?**

### FAQ

**Why is Korah not mentioned in Psalms 106:17, even though he was part of the same rebellion?**

Answer: While Korah was indeed a central figure in the rebellion described in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion"), Psalms 106:17 specifically focuses on Dathan and Abiram because their judgment involved the unique phenomenon of the earth opening up and swallowing them and their households. Korah, along with his followers, perished by fire from the Lord, as detailed in [Numbers 16:35](/numbers/16-35 "Numbers 16:35 - Fire Consumes Korah's Followers"). The Psalmist's choice to highlight Dathan and Abiram's fate likely emphasizes the dramatic and unforgettable nature of the earth's judgment, which was distinct from Korah's end. Both events, however, served as powerful demonstrations of God's wrath against rebellion.

**Does this verse imply that all rebellion against authority will result in immediate, physical judgment?**

Answer: No, this verse describes a unique and extraordinary act of divine judgment, specifically designed to confirm Moses and Aaron's leadership and to underscore the severity of challenging God's direct appointment in the nascent nation of Israel. While God's justice is unwavering, He typically operates through different means in the New Covenant era. However, the underlying principle remains: rebellion against God's established order, whether spiritual or civil, carries serious spiritual consequences, as affirmed in passages like [Romans 13:2](/romans/13-2 "Romans 13:2 - Resisting Authority Resists God"). This verse serves as a historical warning, not a template for everyday divine retribution.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 106:17, with its depiction of the earth opening to consume rebels, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a similar act of judgment, but in the profound contrast of Christ's perfect submission and His bearing of humanity's rebellion. While Dathan and Abiram rebelled against God's chosen leader and faced immediate destruction, Jesus Christ, the ultimate authority and God's Son, perfectly submitted to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). He did not challenge God's authority but embodied it, becoming the one through whom all authority in heaven and on earth is given ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Christ")). Furthermore, the judgment that consumed Dathan and Abiram foreshadows the righteous judgment due to all humanity for its rebellion against God. Yet, in Christ, this judgment was borne on the cross. He was "swallowed up" by death and the grave, not for His own sin, but for ours, only to triumphantly emerge, conquering sin and death ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Thus, the terrifying fate of Dathan and Abiram points forward to the absolute necessity of God's justice, which is fully satisfied in the self-sacrifice of the one who never rebelled, offering a path to salvation for all who turn from their own rebellion and submit to Him as Lord ([Romans 10:9](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9 - Confess Jesus as Lord")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 11:6

And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben: how the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all the substance that [was] in their possession, in the midst of all Israel:

Numbers 26:10

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.

Numbers 16:29

If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; [then] the LORD hath not sent me.

Numbers 16:33

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.