Numbers 26:9 recounts the story of Dathan and Abiram, specifically highlighting their roles in a past rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Let's break down the verse:
"The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram." This establishes the lineage. Dathan and Abiram are brothers and sons of Eliab. Nemuel is also their brother.
"These are that Dathan and Abiram, who were called by the congregation..." This clarifies that these are the same Dathan and Abiram involved in the infamous rebellion. Being "called by the congregation" suggests they were influential and had a following among the people.
"...who rebelled against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they rebelled against Yahweh." This is the core of the verse's meaning. It reminds the reader (and the Israelites of that time) of a major event:
Rebellion: Dathan and Abiram, alongside Korah and others, actively opposed the leadership of Moses and Aaron.
Scale of the Rebellion: The rebellion involved a significant group of people (the "company of Korah").
Ultimate Offense: The rebellion against Moses and Aaron, who were divinely appointed leaders, is framed as a rebellion against Yahweh (God) Himself. To rebel against God's chosen leaders was to rebel against God's authority.
In essence, the verse serves as a reminder and warning:
Memory: It ensures that the specific Dathan and Abiram being discussed are the same men known for their earlier, serious transgression.
Severity of Sin: It underscores the grave nature of rebellion against divinely appointed authority. The verse implicitly condemns such actions and emphasizes that disobedience to God's chosen leaders is, at its core, disobedience to God.
Context: This verse occurs in the context of a census, where new generations are being counted as they are about to enter the Promised Land. Recalling the past rebellion serves as a cautionary tale for these new generations, urging them to learn from the mistakes of their ancestors and to be obedient to God.
The mention of "Korah" is significant, as the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram was a direct challenge to Moses' leadership and Aaron's priesthood. It had severe consequences, as described in Numbers 16, with some of the rebels being swallowed by the earth. This verse in Numbers 26 serves as a concise historical note, linking the men mentioned to a specific, notorious, and divinely punished act of rebellion.
Numbers 26:9 recounts the story of Dathan and Abiram, specifically highlighting their roles in a past rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Let's break down the verse:
"The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram." This establishes the lineage. Dathan and Abiram are brothers and sons of Eliab. Nemuel is also their brother.
"These are that Dathan and Abiram, who were called by the congregation..." This clarifies that these are the same Dathan and Abiram involved in the infamous rebellion. Being "called by the congregation" suggests they were influential and had a following among the people.
"...who rebelled against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they rebelled against Yahweh." This is the core of the verse's meaning. It reminds the reader (and the Israelites of that time) of a major event:
Rebellion: Dathan and Abiram, alongside Korah and others, actively opposed the leadership of Moses and Aaron.
Scale of the Rebellion: The rebellion involved a significant group of people (the "company of Korah").
Ultimate Offense: The rebellion against Moses and Aaron, who were divinely appointed leaders, is framed as a rebellion against Yahweh (God) Himself. To rebel against God's chosen leaders was to rebel against God's authority.
In essence, the verse serves as a reminder and warning:
Memory: It ensures that the specific Dathan and Abiram being discussed are the same men known for their earlier, serious transgression.
Severity of Sin: It underscores the grave nature of rebellion against divinely appointed authority. The verse implicitly condemns such actions and emphasizes that disobedience to God's chosen leaders is, at its core, disobedience to God.
Context: This verse occurs in the context of a census, where new generations are being counted as they are about to enter the Promised Land. Recalling the past rebellion serves as a cautionary tale for these new generations, urging them to learn from the mistakes of their ancestors and to be obedient to God.
The mention of "Korah" is significant, as the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram was a direct challenge to Moses' leadership and Aaron's priesthood. It had severe consequences, as described in Numbers 16, with some of the rebels being swallowed by the earth. This verse in Numbers 26 serves as a concise historical note, linking the men mentioned to a specific, notorious, and divinely punished act of rebellion.