Matthew Poole and continuators on Numbers 16:32

32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah , and all their goods.

(i. e.) All his family which were there, women, children, and servants: but his sons, who were spared Numb. 26. 11, 58. 1 Chron. 6. 22, 37. were absent either upon some service of the Tabernacle, or upon some other occasion, God so ordering it by his providence, either because they disliked their fathers act, or upon Moses his intercession for them, or for some other reason. This expression may seem to intimate, that Korah himself was not here, but that he continued with his 250 men before the Lord, ver. 18, 19. where they were waiting for Gods decision of the controvers[illegible: 1+ letters]e, nor is it probable, that their chief captain would desert them, and leave them standing there without an head, especially, when Aaron, his great adversary, abode there still, and did not go with Moses to Dathan, &c. ver. 25. And Korah may seem to have been consumed with those 250. ver. 35. though he be not mentioned there, but is easily understood both by comparing that verse with ver. 16, 17, 18. and from the nature of the thing it self, there being no cause of doubt but that destruction which be[illegible: 1+ letters]el the accessaries did much more involve the principal. And so much is intimated ver. 40. that no stranger come near to offer incense before the Lord, that he be not as Korah, and as his company, i. e. destroyed, as they were, by fire from the Lord. And when the Psalmist relates this history, Psal. 106. the earths swallowing them up is confined to Dathan and Abiram ver. 17. and for all the rest of that conspiracy, it is added ver. 18. And a fire was kindled in their company, the flame burnt up the wicked. As for Num. 26. 10. which seems to oppose this opinion, we shall see more on that place, if God permit.

Marginal references: See ver. 17. & [illegible: 1+ letters]ap. 26. 11.