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.

NUMBERS 16:33KJV
Know the Bible

Numbers 16:33 (KJV)

What does Numbers 16:33 mean?

Numbers 16:33 describes how Korah, his followers, and everything belonging to them were swallowed up alive by the earth and went down into the pit, disappearing from the community of Israel. This verse shows the dramatic and total judgment that fell on those who rebelled against Moses’ leadership.

In this scene, Moses is speaking to the Israelites during a rebellion led by Korah and others who challenged his authority. The verse uses vivid language to show that not only the men but also their families and possessions were taken, emphasizing the seriousness of their offense. The earth’s closing over them signals a final and irreversible end, separating them completely from the rest of the people.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 16:33

  • "Pit" (שְׁאוֹל, she'ol): This word often refers to the grave or the realm of the dead. Here, it highlights that Korah and his followers did not just die but were taken directly to the place of the dead in a unique and terrifying way.
  • "Alive" (חַי, chai): The text stresses that they went down "alive" into the pit, underlining the unusual nature of this judgment—they did not die first, but were swallowed up while still living.
  • "Closed" (כָּסָה, kasah): The earth "closed" over them, giving the sense of being completely covered and cut off, with no chance of escape or rescue.

Why Numbers 16:33 matters

  • This verse clears up that the judgment was not just on Korah but included everyone and everything associated with him, showing the far-reaching consequences of rebellion.
  • The use of "alive" and "pit" together emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the event, setting it apart from ordinary death and burial.
  • Numbers 16:33 connects to the wider passage by marking the climax of Korah’s rebellion and God’s direct intervention, reinforcing Moses’ God-given leadership to the rest of Israel.

Where else these words appear

“pit” Hebrew H7585 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 37:35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
  • Psalms 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
  • Proverbs 30:16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.

“congregation” Hebrew H6951 · used in 116 verses

  • Genesis 28:3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
  • 1 Kings 8:55 And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
  • Nehemiah 7:66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

“closed” Hebrew H3680 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 7:19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
  • 1 Samuel 19:13 And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.
  • Proverbs 24:31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.