THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Consumed by unyielding arrogance and great pride, they devise an intolerable and thoroughly offensive scheme against both individuals.
Numbers 16:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
Is it a small matter to thee, that thou hast brought us out of a land that flowed with milk and honey, to kill us in the desert, except thou rule also like a lord over us?
הַמְעַ֗ט כִּ֤י הֶֽעֱלִיתָ֙נוּ֙ מֵאֶ֨רֶץ זָבַ֤ת חָלָב֙ וּדְבַ֔שׁ לַהֲמִיתֵ֖נוּ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר כִּֽי־תִשְׂתָּרֵ֥ר עָלֵ֖ינוּ גַּם־הִשְׂתָּרֵֽר׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Cyprian of Carthage
Korah, Dathan, and Abiron, who defied Moses and Aaron the priest in their ambition to seize the sacrificial rights for themselves, faced immediate divine retribution. The earth opened up and engulfed them alive, and God's wrath also descended upon the two hundred and fifty individuals who aligned themselves with this rebellion. This event serves as a reminder that every effort by the wicked to undermine God's sovereign order directly opposes the Divine.
Cassiodorus the Senator
The insurrection stemmed from the fulfillment of desires, which often leads to perilous outcomes. It is evident that a person can become agitated and prone to wrath due to the immoral deeds of others or through harsh speech. This situation is illustrated by Dathan and Abiron, who incited the people in their fervent pursuit of recognition for themselves rather than for Moses and Aaron. Consequently, their punishment followed, as they provoked the righteous to anger, acting out of envy that was known to displease the Lord. This act is universally recognized as bringing glory to God, for He promises to safeguard His servants. The earth opened up and consumed Dathan while it engulfed the multitude of Abiron.
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As recorded in the Book of Numbers, this event unfolded before all, demonstrating the fate of those who, with the toxic sting of envy, sought the grace that was divinely granted to Aaron and Moses, in an unrighteous bid for the honor that they understood had been mercifully conferred upon them. A similar destiny awaited them, as their rebellion was the very source of division: those who relied on earthly wisdom were claimed by the earth, thus the nature of their punishment serves as a testament to their wrongful deeds.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Acts 7:35This Moses, whom they refused, saying: Who hath appointed thee prince and judge? Him God sent to be prince and redeemer, by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the burning bush.
- Ex 16:3And the children of Israel said to them: Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat over the fleshpots, and ate bread to the full: Why have you brought us into this desert, that you might destroy all the multitude with famine?
- Ex 2:14But he answered: Who hath appointed thee prince and judge over us? wilt thou kill me, as thou didst yesterday kill the Egyptian? Moses feared, and said: How is this come to be known?
- Num 11:5We remember the fish that we ate in Egypt free cost: the cucumbers come into our mind, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic.
- Acts 7:25And he thought that his brethren understood that God by his hand would save them. But they understood it not.
- Acts 7:27But he that did the injury to his neighbour thrust him away, saying: Who hath appointed thee prince and judge over us:
- Ex 2:23Now after a long time the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel groaning, cried out because of the works: and their cry went up unto God from the works.
- Num 14:2And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying: