Numbers 16:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Korah, Dathan, and Abiron, who defied Moses and the priest Aaron while seeking to seize the sacrificial rights for themselves, faced immediate consequences for their actions. The earth opened up and consumed them alive, and the anger of the Lord swiftly fell not only upon these instigators but also upon the two hundred and fifty who joined in their rebellion; the divine fire from the Lord quickly ignited and destroyed them as well. This serves as a stark reminder that any attempts by the unrighteous to undermine divine authority are fundamentally opposed to God’s will.

The insurrection stemmed from the satisfaction of the flesh, which predominantly lays the groundwork for perilous and destructive occurrences. A person often finds himself provoked and prone to rage, either due to the malicious deeds of others or through harsh speech. This is illustrated by Dathan and Abiron, who incited the people and fervently sought glory for themselves rather than for Moses and Aaron. Consequently, they faced judgment for inciting the righteous to anger, as their words, driven by jealousy, were offensive to the Lord. This serves to glorify the Lord, who assures that He will safeguard His servants. The earth opened up and consumed Dathan, while the followers of Abiron were engulfed.