Topical Encyclopedia
Dathan is a biblical figure prominently featured in the Old Testament, specifically within the narrative of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their subsequent wanderings in the wilderness. He is primarily known for his role in the rebellion against Moses and Aaron, which is recounted in the Book of Numbers.
Genealogy and BackgroundDathan was a member of the tribe of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob. He was the son of Eliab, as noted in
Numbers 16:1: "Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted a rebellion against Moses." This association with the tribe of Reuben is significant, as Reuben was traditionally seen as having a diminished status due to the transgressions of its progenitor, Reuben, against his father Jacob (
Genesis 49:3-4).
The Rebellion Against MosesDathan is most infamously known for his participation in the Korahite rebellion, a significant event during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. Alongside Korah, a Levite, and Abiram, his brother, Dathan challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron. The rebels accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the assembly of the Lord, as recorded in
Numbers 16:3: "They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, 'You have taken too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?'"
Divine JudgmentThe rebellion led by Dathan, Abiram, and Korah was met with severe divine judgment. Moses, under God's direction, proposed a test to demonstrate whom the Lord had chosen as holy. The earth miraculously opened up and swallowed Dathan, Abiram, their families, and all their possessions, as described in
Numbers 16:31-33: "As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly."
Legacy and Theological SignificanceDathan's rebellion is often cited as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, disobedience, and challenging divinely appointed leadership. His account serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and submission to God's will. The New Testament also references the rebellion as a warning against false teachers and divisive individuals within the church, as seen in
Jude 1:11: "Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion."
Dathan's actions and their consequences underscore the seriousness with which God views rebellion and the importance of maintaining faithfulness and obedience to His commands. His account is a sobering reminder of the need for reverence and respect for God's chosen leaders and the divine order established by Him.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Dathanlaws or rites
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Dathan(belonging to a fountain) a Reubenite chieftain, son of Eliab, who joined the conspiracy of Korah the Levite. (Numbers 16:1;26:9;11:6;Psalms 106:17) (B.C. 1490-1452).
ATS Bible Dictionary
DathanOne of the rebels, in company with Korah, against the authority of Moses, and Aaron,Numbers 16:1-50.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Welled; belonging to a fountain, a son of Eliab, a Reubenite, who joined Korah (q.v.) in his conspiracy, and with his accomplices was swallowed up by an earthquake (
Numbers 16:1;
26:9;
Deuteronomy 11:6;
Psalm 106:17).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DATHANda'-than (dathan, meaning and derivation unknown, though the name is found in Assyrian, in the records of Shalmaneser II): The son of Eliab the son of Pallu the son of Reuben (Numbers 26:5Deuteronomy 11:6Psalm 106:17). He and his brother Abiram, with others, followed Korah the Levite in disputing the authority of Moses and Aaron in the wilderness (Numbers 16-17;Numbers 26Deuteronomy 11:6Psalm 106:17). Other followers of Korah perished by fire before the tent of meeting, but Dathan and Abiram were swallowed up by the earth, with their families and their goods, at their tents. SeeKORAH.
Willis J. Beecher
Strong's Hebrew
1885.Dathan -- a Reubenite... 1884, 1885.
Dathan. 1886 . a Reubenite. Transliteration:
Dathan Phonetic
Spelling: (daw-thawn') Short Definition:
Dathan. Word Origin
...Library
Korah,Dathan, and Abiram
... SERMON XIII. KORAH,DATHAN, AND ABIRAM.... Now this Korah,Dathan, and Abiram rebel.
They rebel against Moses about a question of the priesthood....
There Followed the Revolt of Those, Who, withDathan and Abiron as...
... The Sacred History Of Sulpitius Severus. Book I. Chapter XXI. There followed
the revolt of those, who, withDathan and Abiron as leaders?...
How those that Stirred up this Sedition were Destroyed, According...
... And now Moses sent messengers for Abiram andDathan, and ordered them to come to
the assembly, and wait there for the holy offices that were to be performed....
On Heresies.
... not escape punishment. ForDathan and Abiram, [3157] who set up in opposition
to Moses, were swallowed up into the earth. But Corah...
Jesus' Last Journey to Jerusalem.
... As he stood alone under the trees, perplexed and troubled,Dathan appeared in the
distance, and, spying Judas, said to himself, "The occasion is favorable....
Numbers
... The story of the rebellion of Korah,Dathan and Abiram is peculiarly
instructive (xvi.). It will be noticed thatDathan and Abiram...
The Last Supper.
... for deaf and blind with greed, To the council Judas hastes away, And there
repeats in evil trade, The bargain once withDathan made....
Jesus Drives Out the Money-Changers.
... How canst thou forbid that which the council has allowed?" And then the traders,
led by oneDathan, chimed in, in eager chorus: "Must there then be no more...
Betrayed by a Kiss.
... Judas was there withDathan and the other traders, as well as the four
priests sent by Caiaphas to see that all things went well....
Matt. xii. 9, 10
... arise; thus was nature forgotten; thus the earth defiled; thus afterwards did it
open its mouth, to receive yet living, and utterly destroy,Dathan, and Korah...
Thesaurus
Dathan (8 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DATHAN. da'-than
... their tents. See KORAH. Willis
J. Beecher. Multi-Version Concordance
Dathan (8 Occurrences).
...Abiram (9 Occurrences)
... is an exalted one"): (1) The son of Eliab the son of Pallu the son of Reuben (Numbers
26:5 Deuteronomy 11:6). In company with his brotherDathan and Korah the...
Abi'ram (8 Occurrences)
... Numbers 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with
Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of...
Eliab (20 Occurrences)
... (2) A Reubenite, father ofDathan and Abiram (Numbers... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS
YLT NAS NIV). Numbers 26:9 The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, andDathan, and Abiram....
Nemuel (3 Occurrences)
... (2.) A Reubenite, a son of Eliab, and brother ofDathan and Abiram (Numbers 26:9).
Int.... Numbers 26:9 The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, andDathan, and Abiram....
Eli'ab (19 Occurrences)
... Numbers 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with
Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of...
Dwellings (54 Occurrences)
... Numbers 16:24 Speak unto the congregation, saying: Get you up from about the
dwelling of Korah,Dathan, and Abiram.' (See NAS). Numbers...
Habitation (90 Occurrences)
... DBY). Numbers 16:24 Speak unto the assembly, saying, Get you up from about
the habitation of Korah,Dathan, and Abiram. (DBY). Numbers...
Korah (51 Occurrences)
... the Israelites were encamped at Kadesh for the first time, which came to a head
in a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, headed by Korah,Dathan, and Abiram....
Koran (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Koran (1 Occurrence). Numbers 16:27 And they got up
from the habitation of Koran,Dathan, and Abiram, on every side....
Resources
Who was Dathan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Korah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the sons of Korah in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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