As soon as Moses had finished saying all thisThis phrase indicates the immediacy of God's response to Moses' words. Moses had just declared that if the rebels died a natural death, then the Lord had not sent him. This highlights the authority and prophetic role of Moses as God's chosen leader. The immediacy also underscores the seriousness of the rebellion against God's appointed leadership. In the broader biblical context, this reflects the pattern of God confirming His messengers through signs and wonders, as seen with Elijah and Elisha.
the ground beneath them
The ground is often symbolic in Scripture, representing stability and foundation. In this context, it becomes an instrument of divine judgment. The earth itself responds to God's command, demonstrating His sovereignty over creation. This event is reminiscent of other instances where God uses natural elements to execute judgment, such as the plagues in Egypt. It also foreshadows the ultimate judgment where creation will again play a role, as seen in Revelation.
split open
The splitting of the ground is a miraculous event, signifying a direct act of God. This act of judgment is unique in its execution, emphasizing the severity of the rebellion. It serves as a warning to the Israelites and future generations about the consequences of opposing God's ordained leadership. The imagery of the earth opening is also found in prophetic literature, symbolizing destruction and divine wrath. This event can be seen as a type of final judgment, where those who oppose God face ultimate separation from His presence.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. In this passage, Moses is speaking to the congregation regarding the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
2.
KorahA Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their leadership and the priesthood established by God.
3.
Dathan and AbiramSons of Eliab, from the tribe of Reuben, who joined Korah in his rebellion against Moses and Aaron.
4.
The GroundThe earth itself plays a significant role in this event, as it miraculously opens up to swallow the rebels, serving as a divine judgment from God.
5.
The Congregation of IsraelThe people of Israel who witnessed the rebellion and the subsequent judgment, serving as a lesson for them and future generations.
Teaching Points
Divine Authority and LeadershipGod establishes leaders for His purposes. Challenging divinely appointed leadership is ultimately challenging God Himself. Believers should respect and support their spiritual leaders, recognizing God's sovereignty in their appointment.
The Consequences of RebellionRebellion against God and His order leads to severe consequences. This passage serves as a warning to remain humble and obedient to God's commands and structures.
God's Justice and MercyWhile God is just and punishes sin, His actions also serve as a call to repentance for others. Witnessing God's judgment should lead us to examine our own hearts and align with His will.
The Power of God's WordThe immediate response of the earth to Moses' words demonstrates the power of God's word spoken through His prophets. Believers should trust in the authority and power of Scripture in their lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Numbers 16:31?
2.How does Numbers 16:31 demonstrate God's response to rebellion against His authority?
3.What lessons can we learn about obedience from Numbers 16:31?
4.How does Numbers 16:31 connect with Romans 13:1 on respecting authority?
5.In what ways can we apply the warning in Numbers 16:31 today?
6.How does the earth's reaction in Numbers 16:31 reveal God's power and judgment?
7.How does Numbers 16:31 demonstrate God's judgment and authority?
8.What historical evidence supports the events described in Numbers 16:31?
9.How does Numbers 16:31 fit into the broader narrative of the Israelites' journey?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 16?
11.How could the earth physically open and swallow people as described in Numbers 16:31–33?
12.Psalm 106:17 says the earth swallowed Dathan and his followers—how do we reconcile this with a lack of archaeological confirmation of such an event?
13.Why does God’s response in Numbers 16:44–45 seem inconsistent with His mercy in other parts of the Bible?
14.How do we reconcile the sudden supernatural death of Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10:1–2) with natural law and scientific understanding?What Does Numbers 16:31 Mean
As soon as Moses had finished saying all this• The moment Moses stopped speaking (Numbers 16:28-30), God acted without delay, underscoring that Moses’ words carried divine authority, not personal anger.
• Moses had just declared that if Korah, Dathan, and Abiram died an ordinary death it would prove him wrong, but if a new thing happened it would validate the Lord’s judgment. The timing—“as soon as”—confirms heaven’s endorsement (cf.Deuteronomy 18:21-22;1 Kings 17:24).
• Immediate judgment also reminds Israel that rebellion against God-appointed leadership is rebellion against God Himself (Romans 13:1-2;Hebrews 13:17).
• Similar moments of sudden divine response appear inActs 5:5,10 when Ananias and Sapphira fell dead “at once,” showing that the Lord can intervene instantly when purity in His people is at stake.
the ground beneath them split open• God literally created a fissure under the tents of the rebels, a supernatural act no human could imitate, proving that the punishment fit the crime—challenging divine order led to being swallowed by creation itself (Psalm 106:17).
• The phrase “beneath them” highlights that their own chosen place of opposition became the place of judgment, echoingProverbs 26:27, “He who digs a pit will fall into it.”
• This event recalls earlier earth-related judgments: the Red Sea closing over Egyptians (Exodus 14:28) and later the earth swallowing the flood aimed at the woman inRevelation 12:16, each portraying God’s power to protect His covenant purposes by controlling creation.
• Future generations were told to remember this scene (Deuteronomy 11:6), and even centuries later it served as a warning example (Jude 11) that persistent rebellion invites decisive divine discipline.
split open• The split was final and fatal, leaving no ambiguity about God’s verdict.Numbers 26:10 notes that “the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them,” reinforcing that this was a completed act, not an ongoing threat; God is patient, yet when judgment arrives it can be swift and irreversible (Hebrews 10:26-31).
• The dramatic rupture also called Israel to holy fear, motivating them to stay faithful (Numbers 17:12-13). As with the cross-references inIsaiah 64:1 andEzekiel 38:19-20, when the earth trembles, people recognize the living God is near.
• Lastly, the split foreshadows the ultimate separation God will make between righteousness and rebellion (Matthew 25:31-46), urging every generation to choose obedience.
summaryNumbers 16:31 shows that the Lord validated Moses’ leadership and judged Korah’s rebellion instantly and visibly. The immediate timing, the specific location under the rebels, and the earth’s dramatic split all point to God’s sovereign control and unwavering commitment to protect His covenant order. The verse stands as a sober reminder that God hears, acts, and confirms His word—calling His people to reverent obedience and trust.
Verse 31. -
The ground clave asunder that was under them. As it sometimes does during an earthquake. In this case, however, the event was predicted, and wholly supernatural. The sequence of the narrative would lead us to suppose that the earth opened beneath the tents of Dathan and Abiram in the camp of Reuben. It is difficult to think of the gulf as extending so far as to involve the tent of Korah in the Kohathite lines in the same destruction, while there is nothing to suggest the idea that the earth opened in more than one place. It is true that the camps of the Reubenites and of the Kohathites were more or less contiguous; but when it is remembered that there were 46,500 adult males in the former, and 8600 males in the latter, and that a broad space must have been left between the two lines of encampment, it is obviously improbable that Korah's tent was in a practical sense "near" to those of Dathan and Abiram, unless indeed he had purposely removed it in order to be under the protection of his Reubenite partisans. It is very observable that not a word is said here as to the fate of Korah himself. It is implied in verse 40 that he had perished, and it is apparently asserted in
Numbers 26:10 that he was swallowed up with Dathan and Abiram (see the note there). On the other hand,
Deuteronomy 11:6;
Psalm 106:17 speak of the engulfing of the other two without any mention of Korah himself sharing their fate; and while "all the men that appertained unto Korah" perished, his own sons did not (
Numbers 26:11). On these grounds it is held by most commentators that Korah died by fire among those who offered incense (verse 35). This, however, is untenable, because "the two hundred and fifty men who offered incense" are distinctly mentioned as having been his partisans (verse 2), and are always counted exclusive of Korah himself. On the whole, while it is certain that the narrative is very obscure, and the question very doubtful, it seems most agreeable to all the testimonies of Holy Scripture to conclude -
1. That Korah had left his own place, and had some sort of dwelling (mischan) either in common with Dathan and Abiram, or hard by their tents.
2. That the earth opened and swallowed up themishcan, of Korah, and the tents of Dathan and Abiram.
3. That Korah's men (see next verse) and their property were swallowed up with hismishcan, and (as far as we can tell) Korah himself also. If this be correct, then the much disputed heading of the chapter in the A.V. will be right after all.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
As soon as [Moses] had finishedכְּכַלֹּת֔וֹ(kə·ḵal·lō·ṯōw)Preposition-k | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3615:To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spentsayingלְדַבֵּ֕ר(lə·ḏab·bêr)Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subdueallכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythis,הָאֵ֑לֶּה(hā·’êl·leh)Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428:These, thosethe groundהָאֲדָמָ֖ה(hā·’ă·ḏā·māh)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 127:Ground, landbeneath themתַּחְתֵּיהֶֽם׃(taḥ·tê·hem)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu ofsplit open,וַתִּבָּקַ֥ע(wat·tib·bā·qa‘)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1234:To cleave, to rend, break, rip, open
Links
Numbers 16:31 NIVNumbers 16:31 NLTNumbers 16:31 ESVNumbers 16:31 NASBNumbers 16:31 KJV
Numbers 16:31 BibleApps.comNumbers 16:31 Biblia ParalelaNumbers 16:31 Chinese BibleNumbers 16:31 French BibleNumbers 16:31 Catholic Bible
OT Law: Numbers 16:31 It happened as he made an end (Nu Num.) 
