Numbers 16:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

A child, noticing a piece of jewelry adorning his father, may ask for it out of attraction, reminiscent of the supporters of Dathan and Abiram who defied the priesthood. Driven by envy, they displayed cowardice unparalleled, embodying numerous flaws.

Such is the nature of envy! There is no wickedness that rivals it. The adulterer, for instance, may find brief gratification in his sin, while the envious individual inflicts torment upon himself in the presence of the one he envies, never emerging from his sinful state. Just as pigs revel in mud, and demons seek to harm us, the envious take delight in the suffering of others.

Holy Scripture reveals that by a heavenly decree, the divine Aaron was appointed as both priest and leader. Nevertheless, Korah, Dathan, and a rebellious faction of their followers, defiantly opposed this divine appointment. In their boldness, they took censers without permission, arrogantly seeking an honor that was not theirs, passionately showcasing their folly and audacity in direct contrast to the supreme priest who was chosen above all. This foreshadows the future rebellion of the Jews against Christ, for He is our Shepherd, appointed to this role by the will of the Father. As a consequence of their disgraceful actions, they faced punishment; likewise, the Jews who followed in their footsteps and committed similar transgressions will also experience retribution.

They rose up against Aaron, aiming to usurp his priestly authority or to serve alongside him in the sanctuary. Yet during their time as slaves in Egypt, they had no desire for it; when the Egyptians oppressed them, they did not yearn for it; when the sea was parted, they did not request it; and when they suffered in Egypt, it was not something they sought; even when the Israelites passed through the sea, those matters were not on their minds, as they were fearful of judgment and retribution. Koreus and his companions, who opposed Aaron and coveted his priestly role, serve as a foreshadowing of the high priests who defied our Lord and, as stated in the parable of the vineyard, sought after His inheritance.

Korah had some justification for opposing the Lawgiver, given that he belonged to the tribe of Levi; however, what justification did Dathan, Abiron, and Eliab have for their insurrection, considering they were descendants of Reuben (Num. 16:1-2)? Reuben, being the firstborn, was thought to possess the rights to the priesthood, yet they overlooked the reality that their ancestor had forfeited the privileges of his birthright due to his wrongdoing.

Korah, Dathan, and Abiron, who instigated a rebellion against Moses and the priest Aaron, sought to take upon themselves the authority to offer sacrifices, and they faced immediate consequences for their actions. The ground opened up and engulfed them while they were still alive. God's anger extended beyond the rebels; fire from the Lord swiftly consumed the two hundred and fifty individuals who supported them, marking them as participants in their folly. This event serves as a poignant reminder that any efforts by the wicked to undermine Divine order are ultimately directed against God.

The uprising stemmed from the fullness of the womb, which often paves the way for perilous and destructive outcomes. We observe that an individual can become agitated and prone to wrath, either through the malicious deeds of others or through severe language. This reflects the actions of Dathan and Abiron, who incited the people and fervently demanded esteem for themselves over Moses and Aaron. Their punishment arose from inciting the righteous to anger and destruction, for they spoke out of jealousy, which was clearly displeasing to the Lord. In this, praise is attributed to the Lord, who proclaims His commitment to safeguarding His servants. The earth opened and engulfed Dathan and covered the followers of Abiron.

Quarreling and rudeness are bound by the shackles of malice. The one who quarrels is akin to the one who is filled with wrath. This is due to their desire to oppose the truth, often swayed by the allure of authority, mirroring the account in the Law of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who revolted against Moses, provoking the Lord’s anger. Subsequently, the ground opened up beneath them, consuming both them and their households (Num. 16:32). Thus, those who aspire to lead through their own strength, disregarding the divine authority, and who contest the leadership ordained by God, subject themselves to grave consequences.

The Lord is aware of His people. Thus, do they not recognize those who belong to God? Often, and perhaps more frequently than not, they do not. Take Moses, who struck Egypt, liberated Israel, and demonstrated God's power through signs in the air, water, earth, tree, and rock. Should it not have been evident that he was a servant of God? Yet it seems they lacked sufficient understanding when they grumbled against him and instigated rebellions.