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:

DEUTERONOMY 11:6KJV
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Deuteronomy 11:6 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 11:6 mean?

Deuteronomy 11:6 recalls how God judged Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab from the tribe of Reuben, by causing the earth to open and swallow them, their families, their tents, and all their belongings in front of all Israel. This verse serves as a warning and a reminder of the consequences of rebellion against God’s authority.

In this passage, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He reminds them of past events to encourage obedience and faithfulness. The mention of the earth swallowing Dathan and Abiram refers to a specific incident of rebellion (Numbers 16), highlighting how seriously God dealt with those who opposed His chosen leaders.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 11:6

  • אֶרֶץ (’erets; H776) — “earth”: This word refers to the physical ground, emphasizing that the judgment was not just symbolic but a real, physical event where the ground itself played a part.
  • פִּיהָ (pihah; H6310) — “mouth”: The Hebrew uses the word for “mouth” to describe the earth opening, painting a vivid picture of the ground behaving almost like a living thing, swallowing the rebels whole.
  • בָּלַע (bala‘; H1104) — “swallowed up”: This verb means to engulf or consume completely, stressing the totality of the judgment—nothing was left behind.
  • קֶרֶב (qerev; H7130) — “midst”: The event happened “in the midst” of all Israel, highlighting that this was a public act meant for everyone to witness and remember.

Why Deuteronomy 11:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s judgments in Israel’s history were not hidden or private; they were witnessed by the whole community, reinforcing their seriousness.
  • By recalling this event, Moses emphasizes the importance of obedience and respect for God’s appointed leaders, connecting past consequences to the present warning.
  • The verse ties into the broader theme of Deuteronomy 11, which urges Israel to remember God’s mighty acts as motivation for faithfulness in the land they are about to enter.

Where else these words appear

“substance” Hebrew H3351 · used in 3 verses

  • Genesis 7:4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.
  • Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

“Dathan” Hebrew H1885 · used in 8 verses

  • Numbers 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
  • Numbers 16:24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
  • Numbers 16:27 So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

“Abiram” Hebrew H48 · used in 9 verses

  • Numbers 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
  • Numbers 16:24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
  • Numbers 26:9 And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:

“opened” Hebrew H6475 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 4:11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
  • Job 35:16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.
  • Psalms 144:11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: