THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Overflowing with unyielding arrogance and extreme pride, they contrive an unbearable and utterly repugnant scheme against both of them.
Numbers 16:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
Thou hast brought us indeed into a land that floweth with rivers of milk and honey, and hast given us possessions of fields and vineyards; wilt thou also pull out our eyes? We will not come.
אַ֡ף לֹ֣א אֶל־אֶרֶץ֩ זָבַ֨ת חָלָ֤ב וּדְבַשׁ֙ הֲבִ֣יאֹתָ֔נוּ וַתִּ֨תֶּן־לָ֔נוּ נַחֲלַ֖ת שָׂדֶ֣ה וָכָ֑רֶם הַעֵינֵ֞י הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים הָהֵ֛ם תְּנַקֵּ֖ר לֹ֥א נַעֲלֶֽה׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Cyprian of Carthage
Korah, Dathan, and Abiron, who rose up against Moses and Aaron the priest, seeking to usurp the duty of offering sacrifices for themselves, faced swift retribution for their rebellion: the ground beneath them opened up and engulfed them alive. The anger of the Lord did not spare just the instigators; it swiftly consumed the two hundred and fifty followers who participated in their misguided endeavor. This serves as a reminder that all actions taken by the wicked to undermine the Divine order are ultimately directed against God.
Cassiodorus the Senator
The rebellion stemmed from an abundance of desires, which often leads to perilous and destructive outcomes. It is observed that a person can become irritable and prone to wrath, either due to the malice of others or through harsh words. This is illustrated by Dathan and Abiron, who incited the community to seek recognition for themselves rather than for Moses and Aaron. Consequently, they faced divine retribution, for they incited righteous anger among the faithful, driven by jealousy that was known to displease the Lord. This outcome is acknowledged as a testament to God's glory, as He proclaims His intention to safeguard His servants. The ground opened up and consumed Dathan while the company of Abiron was enveloped.
Read more (82 words)
As recorded in the Book of Numbers, this occurred visibly to those who, with the venomous grip of envy, attempted to seize the grace granted to Aaron and Moses, aspiring to acquire, through conflict, the honor that they recognized was a gift of God's mercy. A similar fate awaited them, as the schism was grounded in their actions: those who relied on earthly wisdom were swallowed by the earth, and the nature of their punishment serves as a testimony to their transgressions.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Lev 20:24But to you I say: Possess their land which I will give you for an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the Lord your God, who have separated you from other people.
- Ex 22:5If any man hurt a field or a vineyard, and put in his beast to feed upon that which is other men's: he shall restore the best of whatsoever he hath in his own field, or in his vineyard, according to the estimation of the damage.
- Ex 23:11But the seventh year thou shalt let it alone, and suffer it to rest, that the poor of thy people may eat, and whatsoever shall be left, let the beasts of the field eat it: so shalt thou do with thy vineyard and thy oliveyard.
- Num 36:8And all women shall take husbands of the same tribe: that the inheritance may remain in the families.
- Num 36:10As they were separated by the Lord. And the daughters of Salphaad did as was commanded:
- Ex 3:8And knowing their sorrow, I am come down to deliver them out of the hands of the Egyptians, and to bring them out of that land into a good and spacious land, into a land that floweth with milk and honey, to the places of the Chanaanite, and Hethite, and Amorrhite, and Pherezite, and Hevite, and Jebusite.
- Num 20:5Why have you made us come up out of Egypt, and have brought us into this wretched place which cannot be sowed, nor bringeth forth figs, nor vines, nor pomegranates, neither is there any water to drink?
- Judg 16:21Then the Philistines seized upon him, and forthwith pulled out his eyes, and led him bound in chains to Gaza, and shutting him up in prison made him grind.