Numbers 16:34 - All Israel that were around them fled at their cry; for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up!”

Generated Verse: Numbers 16:34

What does "Numbers 16:34" mean?


This verse, Numbers 16:34, describes the immediate aftermath of God's judgment upon Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who had rebelled against Moses and Aaron. Let's break down what it means:

"All Israel that were around them fled at their cry": This means everyone in the vicinity of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram panicked and ran away when the ground began to open up. They were terrified.
"for they said, 'Lest the earth swallow us up!'": This reveals the reason for their fear. The Israelites realized that the same catastrophic event that was happening to the rebels could potentially happen to them as well. They feared being swallowed up by the earth as a consequence of being associated with the rebellion or perhaps even for harboring similar dissenting thoughts.

In essence, the verse is saying:

The surrounding Israelites were so horrified by the sight and sounds of the ground opening up and swallowing Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, that they fled in terror, fearing they might suffer the same fate. They understood this was a direct judgment from God and didn't want to be anywhere near it.

Significance:

Fear of Divine Judgment: The verse highlights the Israelites' fear and recognition of God's power and swift judgment. They understood that God was capable of intervening directly in their lives and punishing those who disobeyed Him.
Impact of Rebellion: It also emphasizes the severe consequences of rebelling against God-ordained leadership. The drastic fate of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram served as a stark warning to the rest of the Israelites.
Preservation by Fleeing: By fleeing, the Israelites were able to save themselves from potential harm, demonstrating a degree of understanding and responsiveness to the situation. It could also be interpreted as a form of repentance or distancing themselves from the sin.
Testament to God's Power: The event served as a clear demonstration of God's power to uphold His authority and the authority of His chosen leaders, Moses and Aaron.

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