Korah was a Levite who rebelled against Moses and Aaron during the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. The story of Korah’s rebellion is told in Numbers 16.
Korah was a Levite, meaning he was from the tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Levites were responsible for various religious duties and roles in the tabernacle worship. However, Korah desired more power and authority, coveting the priesthood which was reserved for Aaron and his sons (Numbers 16:10).
Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram and On from the tribe of Reuben, assembled 250 leaders from the congregation of Israel to oppose Moses and Aaron. They claimed that Moses and Aaron had elevated themselves above the rest of the congregation and were taking too much authority upon themselves (Numbers 16:3).
Moses was distressed by this challenge to his and Aaron’s leadership and fell on his face before the Lord. God told Moses to separate himself from Korah, Dathan and Abiram and informed him he would consume them in a moment. Moses pleaded with Korah and his followers to reconsider their actions, but they stubbornly refused and gathered the whole congregation against Moses and Aaron at the entrance of the tabernacle (Numbers 16:16-19).
The Lord’s anger burned against them and he told Moses to warn the congregation to separate themselves from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Moses delivered the warning and the congregation moved away from their tents. Moses then declared how God would show who was holy and who should approach him. He told Korah and his followers that if they died a natural death, then the Lord did not send Moses, but if the earth opened up and swallowed them, the people would know these men had despised the Lord (Numbers 16:28-30).
As soon as Moses finished speaking, the ground split open under Korah, Dathan and Abiram’s tents and swallowed them alive into Sheol along with their households. Fire also came from heaven and consumed the 250 leaders who had sided with them. The Lord then sent a plague on the Israelites for their complaints against Moses and Aaron, but Aaron made atonement for them and the plague was stopped (Numbers 16:31-50).
The rebellion of Korah highlights a few key lessons:
- Pride and desire for power can lead to rebellion, even among God’s people.
- God defends and confirms those he has appointed to lead.
- God judges those who oppose his chosen leaders.
- Murmuring and complaining against God-ordained authority is dangerous.
- Leaders must walk humbly and point people to follow God, not themselves.
Though Korah opposed God’s appointed leaders, Moses and Aaron responded with humility and deference to God’s judgment. The Lord made it clear that Aaron was the one he had selected as high priest. Korah’s judgment reminds us that God cares about how we treat those he places in authority over us.
Korah’s background
Korah was a Levite, meaning he was from the Israelite tribe of Levi. The Levites were responsible for transporting, erecting, and maintaining the tabernacle as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness after being freed from slavery in Egypt (Numbers 1:47-54). The Kohathite branch of Levites, which Korah belonged to, specifically cared for the most holy objects of the tabernacle (Numbers 4:1-20).
As a Levite, Korah was already set apart for special service to God’s tabernacle and people. But this was not enough for him. Korah desired the priesthood for himself, which had been bestowed exclusively upon Aaron and his sons (Exodus 28:1).
Korah’s rebellion
Korah’s discontent stirred up a rebellion against God’s appointed leaders, Moses and Aaron. Korah joined forces with Dathan, Abiram and On from the tribe of Reuben, and 250 Israelite leaders to oppose Moses (Numbers 16:1-2).
Korah and his followers came as a group to confront Moses and Aaron, claiming “You have gone too far! All the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. So why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?” (Numbers 16:3).
Essentially, Korah was arguing that Moses and Aaron had elevated themselves illegitimately above the rest of the congregation. “All the congregation are holy” was likely a reference to the Lord having set apart all of Israel as his special people at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:5-6). Korah seemed to be claiming that Moses and Aaron were taking authority and honor upon themselves that belonged equally to all the people.
When Moses heard this, he fell facedown in distress and prayed for guidance. The Lord affirmed his choice of Aaron as priest and Moses as leader and told him to separate himself from Korah and his followers so God could consume them (Numbers 16:5-21). Despite a final warning from Moses, Korah and his 250 followers defiantly showed up at the entrance of the tabernacle the next day with censers for burning incense as if vying for the priesthood (Numbers 16:16-18, 35).
Korah’s judgment
Moses warned the congregation to move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. He told them how God would show who was holy and able to be near him. If these men just died naturally, then Moses was not sent by God. But if the earth split open and swallowed them, the people would know they had despised the Lord (Numbers 16:28-30).
As soon as Moses finished speaking, the ground cracked open and swallowed Korah, Dathan, Abiram and their households as they stood near their tents. The 250 leaders who supported them were consumed by fire from heaven (Numbers 16:31-35).
The display of God’s judgment did not end the people’s complaints, however. The next day the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of killing the Lord’s people. As a result, the Lord sent a plague which began killing many Israelites. By the time Aaron made atonement for the people, 14,700 had died from the plague (Numbers 16:41-50).
Clearly, the Lord dealt swiftly and severely with Korah’s rebellion in order to defend his chosen servants and warn against further dissension. The ingestion of Korah’s household along with the leaders emphasizes God’s corporate judgment on the households associated with rebels.
Aftermath and significance
Even after Korah’s dramatic judgment, the issue did not seem fully resolved. The very next day, the Israelites were complaining again about Moses and Aaron killing the Lord’s people (Numbers 16:41). God’s wrath flared against them in a deadly plague. But also on the next day, Aaron’s budding staff proved once and for all that Aaron was chosen by God as high priest (Numbers 17:1-13). The people were then convinced and the plague was stopped (Numbers 17:12-13).
Later, Moses explained that the sons of Korah did not die with their father (Numbers 26:11). The Korahites were given roles guarding the tabernacle thresholds (1 Chronicles 9:17-19). Several psalms are attributed to “the sons of Korah” as well (Psalms 42-49, 84-85, 87-88). God judged the rebellion but showed mercy to the next generation.
The rebellion of Korah provides several important lessons for God’s people:
- Desiring power apart from God’s direction leads to destruction.
- Questioning authority God establishes is dangerous.
- God defends and confirms those he appoints as leaders.
- All are equal before God ultimately, but he delegates roles.
- Envy and pride stir up strife.
- Corporate judgment impacts whole families.
- God shows mercy on later generations.
The swift judgment on Korah warns God’s people in every age about the dangers of rebelling against God-ordained authority. Disputing or undermining those God has established in leadership provokes his anger. However, Korah’s descendants also give hope that God’s mercy extends to later generations who follow him faithfully.
Moses’ and Aaron’s response
Despite the serious nature of Korah’s challenge, Moses and Aaron responded with restraint and humility. When confronted by Korah’s mob, Moses “fell on his face” and prayed to the Lord for guidance rather than reacting in anger (Numbers 16:4).
Moses did not defend himself but deferred to God’s judgment, telling Korah “the Lord will show who is his” (Numbers 16:5). He pleaded with Korah not to persist in rebellion, urging “Hear now, you sons of Levi: Is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel…?” (Numbers 16:8-11). But when rebuffed, Moses stepped aside and left the matter in God’s hands.
Similarly, Aaron played a priestly role in stopping the plague once God’s judgment had been sufficiently demonstrated. Unlike those gripped with pride and the desire for power, Moses and Aaron humbly accepted the posts to which God had called them. Their example provides a model for all leaders to point away from themselves and toward the Lord.
Korah’s demand
At the core of Korah’s grievance against Moses and Aaron was the demand, “All the congregation are holy, every one of them” (Numbers 16:3). Korah seemed to be arguing that all Israelites were equally holy before God, so no one should be elevated above the rest. His envious bid for priesthood failed to grasp God’s prerogative to assign different roles within a community where all are equally valued before him.
Korah’s rallying cry appealed to populism and egalitarianism, implying that offices and honor should be distributed evenly. But Korah presumed to tell God how he ought to organize Israel, rather than accepting God’s wisdom in distributing authority. Even in a community made holy to God, the Lord still delegates roles according to his will for the good of the people.
Korah and the priesthood
A key source of Korah’s resentment was that the priesthood had been restricted to Aaron and his sons (Exodus 28:1). As a Kohathite Levite, Korah was assigned only to transport and care for priestly objects like the ark of the covenant – not to perform priestly duties (Numbers 3:27-32). Korah apparently felt his Levite lineage entitled him to priestly privileges as well.
But the priesthood was a calling and office designated only for Aaron’s line, not all Levites. Just as kings and priests were appointed from particular tribes in Israel, so God selected the specific family of Aaron for the priesthood. Attempting to grasp priestly authority apart from God’s direction was thus a grave affront.
Korah’s example remains a warning against attempting to serve God in roles he has not approved or gifted one for. Humility accepts the specific post God assigns, rather than coveting positions of higher prestige and visibility.
Moses’ leadership
Along with Aaron’s priesthood, Korah and his followers also challenged Moses’ leadership over Israel. “You have gone too far!” and “why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” were aimed at Moses as much as Aaron (Numbers 16:3).
Moses was God’s personally appointed leader over his people. At Sinai, the Lord had told Moses “I am making you as God to Pharaoh” (Exodus 7:1). God spoke to Moses “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11) and entrusted him to lead Israel into Canaan. Rejecting Moses’ leadership meant rejecting the Lord’s chosen instrument to deliver and guide his people.
Korah’s pride blinded him to how Moses regularly interceded for the people rather than “lording it over them” (Numbers 14:11-20). Challenging Moses and Aaron’s leadership was akin to challenging God himself, since he had delegated oversight of Israel to them. Moses’ humble example as a leader, pointing always to God as Israel’s true head, makes Korah’s accusation against him seem all the more outrageous and unfounded.
Complaining against leaders
Korah’s rebellion highlights the dangers of complaining against those God places in authority. The initial confrontation was sparked by Korah and his cohorts telling Moses and Aaron, “You have gone too far!” (Numbers 16:3). They stirred up further discontent by spreading a bad report, assembling the community against the Lord’s servants (Numbers 16:11).
Even after Korah and his followers were judged, the Israelites fell into quarreling against Moses and Aaron again the very next day (Numbers 16:41-42). Their complaint that Moses and Aaron had killed the people of the Lord brought on another plague. Speaking out against God’s chosen servants provokes his swift discipline.
Of course, following poor leaders into sinful action would be wrong. But Korah’s opposition represented pride and envy more than righteous concern. The right response to flawed leadership is humble appeal to God, not fomenting rebellion.
Meekness is to be expected from God’s appointed leaders (Numbers 12:3). But God’s people must also guard against complaining and disputing those he has allowed to govern over them. As Isaiah warned, “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him… Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?'” (Isaiah 45:9).
Corporate judgment
A sobering aspect of Korah’s judgment was that it impacted whole households, not just the leaders who rebelled. When the earth opened up, not only Korah and his ringleaders were swallowed, but “they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol” (Numbers 16:33).
Similarly, after Aaron made atonement for the people, it was reported that 14,700 died in the previous day’s plague, apart from Korah’s initial 250 followers (Numbers 16:49). Doubtless many victims were relatives or supporters of the rebels whose households shared corporate judgment.
God dealt with sin as a community matter impacting entire families. Paul later comments regarding unbelievers that “some have already strayed after Satan,” and that handing such a one over to Satan would produce repentance and “the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved” (1 Corinthians 5:5). Addressing sin as a body preserves the health of the community.
While individual accountability remains (Deuteronomy 24:16), at times God does mete out collective discipline. Korah’s judgment was a stark reminder that rebelling against God’s order does not merely impact the offender, but potentially whole circles of family and associates connected with him.
Sons of Korah not destroyed
Despite Korah and his household being judged, later texts reveal that Korah’s sons did not perish along with him. As Moses explained, “the sons of Korah did not die” (Numbers 26:11). God showed mercy to Korah’s line and they continued serving at the tabernacle (Exodus 6:24).
The psalm headings attribute authorship of Psalms 42, 44-49, 84-85, 87-88 to “the sons of Korah.” These psalms reflect themes of longing for God, praising him for his deliverance, and crying out for his help – alluding to the family history of rebellion yet mercy. Korah’s descendants were spared and devoted their gifts to God’s worship rather than repeating their father’s grasping for power and envy.
God’s mercy spares future generations who follow him humbly, even when previous generations rebelled. While sin has communal consequences, God’s judgment is not normally perpetual. The “sons of Korah” living on gives hope of renewal for families impacted by but repenting from the sins of their fathers.
Conclusion
Korah represented a spirit of envy, pride and grasping for power not granted by God. His rebellion against Moses and Aaron mirrored ancient angelic defiance of God’s authority in heaven. Yet Moses and Aaron responded humbly, looking to God himself to defend their calling.
God dealt decisively with Korah’s insurrection in order to check the spread of this spirit in Israel. Rebellion provokes God’s zealous defense of leaders he appoints. Yet Korah’s story ends on a note of hope, as his descendants were later restored to tabernacle service. In the end, grasping for unauthorized power leads to futility. Far better to accept the role God assigns with joy and serve one another in love.