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Matthew Poole and continuators on Numbers 26:10

Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Browse this work.

Numbers26:10

10 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah , when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign :

According to this translation Korah was not consumed by fire with his 250 men, Numb. 16. but swallowed up by the Earth. But others rather think he was devoured by the fire, of which see on Numb. 16. 32, 35. and render these words, and the things of Korah, or belonging to Korah, to wit, his tent and goods and family, children excepted as here follows. Which interpretation receives strength by comparing this place with Numb. 16. 32. And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them (to wit, Dathan and Abiram, as is manifest from ver. 24, 25, 27.) up and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, which variation of the phrase plainly shews that Korah himself was not swallowed up with them, but onely his men and his tabernacle, which is mentioned there together with the tabernacles of Dathan and Abiram, ver. 24, 27. but his person is not there mentioned with their persons. Nor is it unusual both in sacred and profane authours, by the name of a man who is the head and master to understand onely his house and family, though himself be not included. But this difficulty may be cleared another way. The Hebrew particle eth may be here the note of a Nominative case, as it is 2 Kings 6. 5. Neh. 9. 19. Ier. 38. 16. Ezek. 39. 14. and 43. 7. and there may be a defect of a verb, which is most frequent, and so the place may be rendred thus, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, to wit, Dathan and Abiram, ver. 9. and Korah, or, and as for Korah he died (which verb is easily understood out of the following noun, of which Ellipsis there are many instances in Scripture, some whereof have been given before, and more will follow in their places) in the death of that company, or when that company died, what time the fire devoured the two hundred and fifty men. And so this place and Numb. 16. 35. explain one another, and whereas there is mention onely of 250 men consumed by that fire, Korah is here added to the number.

(i. e.) God made them a monument or example, to warn others not to rebel against God nor against Magistracy, nor to usurp the Priestly Office.

Matthew Poole and continuators, Annotations upon the Holy Bible, Numbers 26:10. Public domain.

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