Korah
“Bald, or possibly ice”
Summary
The name of several biblical figures, most notably the Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness and was swallowed by the earth as divine judgment.
☩The Levite Rebel
Korah was a Levite, son of Izhar and cousin to Moses and Aaron through his father, who was brother to Amram, the father of Moses. From this close family relationship arose jealousy over the exclusive priestly privileges given to Aaron's family while Korah remained a simple Levite. Korah organized a conspiracy against Moses and Aaron, recruiting Dathan, Abiram, and On from the tribe of Reuben, along with 250 princes and men of renown from various tribes. The Reubenites may have joined seeking to recover the birthright and civil pre-eminence their ancestor had forfeited. Korah's position as leader resulted from his bold, haughty, and ambitious character.
☩The Rebellion
The conspirators accused Moses and Aaron of usurpation, claiming "all the congregation are holy, every one of them" and therefore questioning why Moses and Aaron should lift themselves above the assembly. Moses proposed a test: Korah and his followers should take censers and offer incense before the Lord, letting God show whom He had chosen. When Dathan and Abiram refused Moses' summons, they added the insolent charge that Moses had failed to bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey, actually calling Egypt by that description in studied profanity. The rebellion was both ecclesiastical (challenging the priesthood) and civil (challenging Moses' authority), making it a type of opposition against the royalty and priesthood of Christ.
☩Divine Judgment
The judgment came swiftly. Moses warned the congregation to separate from the rebels, and the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and Abiram with their households and possessions. Fire from the Lord consumed Korah and the 250 who offered unauthorized incense at the tabernacle door. Despite this terrifying display of divine wrath, the people murmured against Moses the next day, calling him the cause of death to these "popular leaders." A plague then struck, killing 14,700 before Aaron's intercession through incense offering stopped it. The censers of the rebels were made into plates to cover the altar, serving as a permanent memorial warning against presumptuous worship.
☩Legacy of Korah's Family
Though Korah perished, his sons did not share his fate, apparently having separated themselves from their father's rebellion. The descendants of Korah subsequently attained high distinction in Israel's worship. The prophet Samuel was a Korahite. Under David, Korahites held chief responsibility for keeping the tabernacle doors and leading the service of song. Eleven psalms are inscribed with their name as authors (Psalms 42, 44-49, 84, 85, 87, 88), characterized by sublimity, spirituality, and unction. This remarkable transformation from a family of rebels to a family of worshippers demonstrates divine grace and the impact of turning from sin.
☩Other Men Named Korah
Several other individuals bore this name. Korah was the third son of Esau by his Canaanitish wife Aholibamah, born in Canaan before Esau migrated to Mount Seir, and became a duke or chief of Edom. Another Edomite Korah appears as sprung from Eliphaz, Esau's son by Adah, though some suggest this may be a scribal error. A Korah is also listed among the sons of Hebron in the genealogy of Judah.
Related Verses29 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Korah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Korah," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Korah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Korah," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 5.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Korah," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).