Korah, a Levite who rebelled against Moses and Aaron; his descendants became temple musicians and gatekeepers.
Korah was a Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness (Num.16). He was the son of Izhar, from the Kohathite clan (Exo.6.21,24). Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 well-known community leaders, accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the congregation (Num.16.1-3). When Korah's followers presented incense offerings, the Lord destroyed them with fire (Num.16.35). The earth opened and swallowed Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their households (Num.16.31-33). Korah's sons, however, did not die (Num.26.11). The bronze censers of the rebels were made into a covering for the altar, as a reminder not to rebel against the Lord (Num.16.38-40). Korah's descendants became temple musicians (1Ch.6.22,37; Psa.42-49; 84-88) and gatekeepers (1Ch.9.19; 26.1,19). Some were mighty warriors who joined David at Ziklag (1Ch.12.6), and others settled in Jerusalem after the exile (1Ch.9.31). The Korahites also sang at the reign of Jehoshaphat (2Ch.20.19) and were listed among the Levite clans (Num.26.58).
Korah and Moses: cousins in rebellion
FamilyStated in the textKorah son of Izhar and Moses and Aaron sons of Amram were first cousins, both grandsons of Kohath. Korah challenged Moses and Aaron's exclusive leadership together with Dathan and Abiram of Reuben; the ground swallowed the rebels. Korah's sons did not die, and the "sons of Korah" later appear as temple singers.
Where the text shows it: Exod 6:18-21 — Kohath fathered Amram and Izhar; Izhar fathered KorahNum 16:1-3 — Korah, Dathan and Abiram challenge Moses and AaronNum 16:31-35 — The earth swallows the rebels; fire consumes 250Num 26:10-11 — Korah's sons did not die Sources: Exod 6:18-21 · Num 16:1-3 · Num 16:31-35 · Num 26:10-11
A Levite and two Reubenites: the combined rebellion
RoleDebatedKorah's complaint was priestly (why only Aaron?); Dathan and Abiram of Reuben complained about Moses' civil leadership. Numbers 16 merges two grievances, and the Reubenites' bitterness may reflect Reuben's lost firstborn status.
Where the text shows it: Num 16:1 — The four leaders namedNum 16:12-14 — Dathan and Abiram refuse to come upNum 16:8-11 — Moses addresses Korah's priestly claim Ways people read this (3)
- Source-critical scholars often see two originally separate rebellions combined in Num 16.
- Traditional readings treat the account as one event with a single coalition.
- The Reubenite motive is an inference, not stated in the text.
Sources: Num 16:1 · Num 16:12-14 · Num 16:8-11
38 verses in 6 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H7141