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 26:10KJV
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Numbers 26:10 (KJV)

What does Numbers 26:10 mean?

Numbers 26:10 describes how the earth opened up and swallowed Korah and his followers, while fire consumed 250 men, making them a warning sign to others. This verse recounts a dramatic judgment from God against those who rebelled with Korah.

In this passage, Moses is recounting to the Israelites how God dealt with Korah’s rebellion during their time in the wilderness. The verse highlights two different punishments: the earth swallowing some rebels alive, and fire destroying 250 others. The survivors are reminded that this event served as a clear sign or warning to the whole community.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 26:10

  • "earth" (אֶרֶץ, ’erets): This word means the land or ground, emphasizing that the punishment was not just symbolic but involved the physical earth itself opening up.
  • "opened" (פָּתַח, patach): This verb often means to open wide, stressing the unnatural and sudden way the ground split apart.
  • "sign" (נֵס, nes): This word means a banner, signal, or sign, showing that the event was meant to be a visible and memorable warning to the Israelites.

Why Numbers 26:10 matters

  • Numbers 26:10 clarifies that not all of Korah’s followers died the same way; some were swallowed by the earth, while others were consumed by fire, showing the seriousness of their rebellion.
  • The verse emphasizes that these events were not random disasters but were intended as a public sign (נֵס, nes) for the whole community to remember.
  • This verse connects back to earlier chapters (Numbers 16), helping readers see the continuity and consequences of rebellion in Israel’s journey.

Where else these words appear

“sign” Hebrew H5251 · used in 20 verses

  • Numbers 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
  • Isaiah 13:2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
  • Isaiah 62:10 Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.

“Korah” Hebrew H7141 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 36:5 And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan.
  • Numbers 16:24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:19 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry.

“up” Hebrew H1104 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 41:7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
  • Job 10:8 Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.
  • Isaiah 9:16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

“opened” Hebrew H6605 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • Nehemiah 6:5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
  • Isaiah 14:17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?