Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Numbers, Chapter 16במדבר 16

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Korah's cry that 'all the congregation are holy' sounds almost righteous — until weighed against a night of censers, a sanctuary threshold, and a summons no rebel can refuse. Numbers 16 stakes everything on one hapax, בְּרִיאָה, a wholly new creation: the earth itself opening its mouth to swallow rebellion alive into Sheol.

Translation & textual notes

Numbers 16 is textually stable but interpretively dense. Its most debated crux is v. 1's וַיִּקַּח קֹרַח, whose object is never supplied — a genuine grammatical gap that ancient and modern readers fill variously ('took men,' 'took action,' 'became insolent'). V. 11 preserves an unusual doubled Ketiv/Qere: תלונו (as written) stands immediately before its own corrected form תַלִּינוּ (as read), both left in the running text rather than relegated to a margin note. The chapter's central lexical crux is v. 30's בְּרִיאָה (H1278), a true hapax legomenon deliberately echoing Genesis 1's creation vocabulary — 'if YHWH creates a new thing.' Versification: English Bibles carry Numbers 16 through v. 50, but the Masoretic Text divides the material differently — MT Numbers 16 ends at v. 35 (the fire consuming the 250), and the material English readers know as 16:36-50 (Eleazar and the bronze plating, Aaron's censer standing between the dead and the living, the plague, the 14,700 dead) is numbered as MT Numbers 17:1-15. This data file follows the MT's 35-verse division throughout. The genealogical link of Peleth/Pallu in v. 1 shows minor variation across LXX and Samaritan witnesses, a matter of ongoing text-critical discussion.

1

וַיִּקַּ֣ח קֹ֔רַח בֶּן יִצְהָ֥ר בֶּן קְהָ֖ת בֶּן לֵוִ֑י וְדָתָ֨ן וַאֲבִירָ֜ם בְּנֵ֧י אֱלִיאָ֛ב וְא֥וֹן בֶּן פֶּ֖לֶת בְּנֵ֥י רְאוּבֵֽן

Now Korah son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, took [men] — along with Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, sons of Reuben.

Narrative onsetasyndeton
Asyndetic wayyiqtol opens a new pericope directly on the heels of ch. 15's tassel law. The subject list swells across four names and three tribal generations before the verb ever receives an object — the syntax itself performs a conspiracy gathering mass before its target is named in v. 3.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיִּקַּ֣חtookQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause); object left unexpressed→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance opening the pericopeלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here famously without an expressed object. Ancient and modern readers alike supply one ('took men,' 'took followers') or read it idiomatically of covert self-assertion — the grammar itself enacts a conspiracy taking shape before its target is named.
קֹ֔רַחKorahproper noun · קֹרַח (H7141)Subjectקֹרַח (H7141) 'Korah', a Levite of the Kohathite line (Exod 6:21) and leader of the rebellion; later the eponym of a guild of temple singers (superscriptions of Pss 42, 44-49, 84-85, 87-88).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival, first of four generations)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; opens the construct chain tracing Korah's Levitical pedigree back through Izhar and Kohath to Levi.
יִצְהָ֥רIzharproper noun · יִצְהָר (H3324)Genitive (Korah's father)יִצְהָר (H3324) 'Izhar', 'oil, shining one'; second son of Kohath (Exod 6:18) and father of Korah.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival, second link)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; second link, Izhar son of Kohath.
קְהָ֖תKohathproper noun · קְהָת (H6955)Genitive (grandfather of Korah)קְהָת (H6955), second son of Levi and ancestor of the Kohathite clan charged with carrying the sanctuary's holy furniture (Num 4:1-15) — the very holiness Korah's company presumes to claim for itself.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival, third link)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; third link, Kohath son of Levi.
לֵוִ֑יLeviproper noun · לֵוִי (H3878)Genitive (great-grandfather of Korah)לֵוִי (H3878), third son of Jacob and Leah, eponymous ancestor of the priestly/Levitical tribe.
וְדָתָ֨ןand Dathanconj וְ + proper noun · דָּתָן (H1885)Coordinate subjectדָּתָן (H1885) 'Dathan', a Reubenite chieftain who allies with Korah; etymology uncertain, possibly related to a root for 'fountain' or 'law/decree'.
וַאֲבִירָ֜םand Abiramconj וְ + proper noun · אֲבִירָם (H48)Coordinate subjectאֲבִירָם (H48) 'my father is exalted'; Dathan's brother and co-conspirator, both Reubenites — Israel's firstborn tribe, displaced from primacy, joining the priestly tribe's malcontents.
בְּנֵ֧יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct (apposition, patronymic for Dathan and Abiram)בֵּן (H1121) plural construct 'sons of', introducing the patronymic Eliab shared by Dathan and Abiram.
אֱלִיאָ֛בEliabproper noun · אֱלִיאָב (H446)Genitive (father of Dathan, Abiram, and On)אֱלִיאָב (H446) 'my God is father'; Reubenite father of Dathan, Abiram, and Nemuel/On (cf. Num 26:8-9).
וְא֥וֹןand Onconj וְ + proper noun · אוֹן (H203)Coordinate subjectאוֹן (H203) 'On', a Reubenite named only here; he vanishes from the rest of the narrative, a long-noted crux — rabbinic tradition (b. Sanhedrin 109b) credits his wife with talking him out of the revolt.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival, patronymic for On)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; On son of Peleth.
פֶּ֖לֶתPelethproper noun · פֶּלֶת (H6431)Genitive (father of On)פֶּלֶת (H6431), father of On; possibly connected to Pallu son of Reuben (Num 26:5, 8), a matter of ongoing text-critical discussion.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct (apposition, tribal patronymic)בֵּן (H1121) plural construct, closing the roster with the shared tribal ancestor.
רְאוּבֵֽןReubenproper noun · רְאוּבֵן (H7205)Genitive (tribal eponym)רְאוּבֵן (H7205), firstborn of Jacob, eponym of the tribe encamped adjacent to the Kohathites on the south side (Num 2:10; 3:29) — geographic proximity likely fueled this alliance of the displaced firstborn with the excluded Levite.
2

וַיָּקֻ֨מוּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַאֲנָשִׁ֥ים מִבְּנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים וּמָאתָ֑יִם נְשִׂיאֵ֥י עֵדָ֛ה קְרִאֵ֥י מוֹעֵ֖ד אַנְשֵׁי שֵֽׁם

and they rose up against Moses, together with 250 men from the Israelites — chiefs of the congregation, chosen members of the assembly, men of renown.

Continuation / elaborationasyndeton
The wayyiqtol chain continues the main narrative line while specifying the company's size and pedigree: 250 legitimately-recognized chiefs, not a rabble — which makes the coming challenge to Moses and Aaron far more dangerous than a mere mob action.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיָּקֻ֨מוּ֙rose upQal wayyiqtol 3mp · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, the company springing into confrontationקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand up'; used here of rising in defiant challenge, the same verb applied to legal/insurrectionary confrontation (cf. Deut 19:16).
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (spatial confrontation)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face', construct with לְ forming the common preposition 'before, in the presence of' — a direct, face-to-face confrontation with Moses.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prepositionמֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses', Israel's mediator-leader and the direct target of the uprising.
וַאֲנָשִׁ֥יםand menconj וְ + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Coordinate subject (apposition, specifying the company)אִישׁ (H376) plural 'men'; specifies the human company that stood with the four named leaders.
מִבְּנֵֽיfrom the sons ofprep מִן + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Partitive construct phrase (source of the 250)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; מִן + construct expresses partitive source — 250 men drawn FROM the wider nation, a faction rather than the whole.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (tribal/national designation)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant name of the nation descended from Jacob.
חֲמִשִּׁ֣יםfiftycardinal number c pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Numeral (first element of compound number)חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty'; combines with the following word for a total of 250 — matching, suggestively, the standard size of a Levitical work-division (cf. Num 4:36, 40, 44).
וּמָאתָ֑יִםand two hundredconj וְ + cardinal number c dual abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral (second element, coordinate)מָאתַיִם (H3967), dual of מֵאָה 'hundred', i.e. 'two hundred'; with חֲמִשִּׁים, the famous total of 250 chiefs.
נְשִׂיאֵ֥יchiefs ofN m pl constr · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Apposition (identifying the 250 men)נָשִׂיא (H5387) 'chief, leader, prince'; the term for the tribal heads who bore the census and dedication offerings (Num 1:16; 7:2) — men of genuine standing, not a rabble.
עֵדָ֛הcongregationN f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Genitive (construct completion)עֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation, assembly'; the technical term for Israel gathered as a covenantal body — the very body Korah will claim in v. 3 is uniformly holy.
קְרִאֵ֥יsummoned ones ofadj m pl constr · קָרִיא (H7148)Apposition (further description)קָרִיא (H7148, from קָרָא 'to call') 'one summoned/appointed'; a rare term for men formally designated to assembly business.
מוֹעֵ֖דassemblyN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive (construct completion)מוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time/place, assembly'; the same root underlying 'tent of meeting' (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד) — these are men with legitimate, formal standing in Israel's structures.
אַנְשֵׁיmen ofN m pl constr · אִישׁ (H376)Apposition (summary title)אִישׁ (H376) construct plural 'men of', introducing the closing honorific.
שֵֽׁםrenownN m sg abs · שֵׁם (H8034)Genitive (construct completion)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name, renown'; 'men of renown' (אַנְשֵׁי שֵׁם) elsewhere describes the Nephilim's offspring (Gen 6:4) — an ominous echo of pre-flood self-aggrandizement clinging to this company.
3

וַיִּֽקָּהֲל֞וּ עַל מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְעַֽל אַהֲרֹ֗ן וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֲלֵהֶם֮ רַב לָכֶם֒ כִּ֤י כָל הָֽעֵדָה֙ כֻּלָּ֣ם קְדֹשִׁ֔ים וּבְתוֹכָ֖ם יְהוָ֑ה וּמַדּ֥וּעַ תִּֽתְנַשְּׂא֖וּ עַל קְהַ֥ל יְהוָֽה

They assembled against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, "You have gone too far! For all the congregation — all of them — are holy, and YHWH is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of YHWH?"

Direct discourse (Korah's manifesto)asyndeton
The chapter's programmatic speech. Korah's logic runs from a true premise (Israel's corporate holiness and YHWH's presence among them, Exod 19:6; 25:8) to a false conclusion — that no graded distinctions of office remain. The rhetorical question is really an accusation of self-exaltation, aimed with equal force at priest (Aaron) and prophet-mediator (Moses) alike.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַיִּֽקָּהֲל֞וּassembled themselvesNiphal wayyiqtol 3mp · קָהַל (H6950)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol; Niphal reflexive/reciprocal — banding together in organized oppositionקָהַל (H6950) 'to assemble'; Niphal of the company massing against Moses and Aaron — the very root behind קָהָל 'assembly,' the term Korah invokes for legitimacy at the speech's close.
עַלagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (hostile: against)עַל (H5921) 'upon, against'; hostile sense regularly found with verbs of rebellion and complaint.
מֹשֶׁ֣הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prepositionמֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses', the first named target of the assembly's confrontation.
וְעַֽלand againstconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) repeated for the second target — Moses and Aaron are named together as a pair throughout the chapter.
אַהֲרֹ֗ןAaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Object of prepositionאַהֲרֹן (H175) 'Aaron', Moses' brother and high priest; the priestly office itself is precisely what the rebellion contests.
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause); introduces direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance into direct discourseאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard speech-introducing verb opening Korah's manifesto.
אֲלֵהֶם֮to themprep + 3mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (recipients of the speech)אֶל (H413) 'to' + 3mp pronominal suffix; Moses and Aaron are addressed directly.
רַבenoughadj m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Predicate adjective (exclamatory: 'Enough!')רַב (H7227) 'much, great'; used idiomatically as a protest exclamation, 'you have gone too far' — the same idiom Moses himself later hurls at Israel in Deut 1:6; 3:26.
לָכֶם֒for youprep + 2mp suffix · לְDative of reference (completing the exclamation)לְ + 2mp suffix, 'for/to you'; completes the idiom רַב לָכֶם 'you have gone too far,' hurled at Moses and Aaron together.
כִּ֤יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (causal, grounds for the charge)כִּי (H3588) causal 'for, because'; introduces Korah's theological justification for the accusation.
כָלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; quantifier construct governing 'the congregation.'
הָֽעֵדָה֙the congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Subjectעֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation'; the whole assembled community — the ground of Korah's leveling claim.
כֻּלָּ֣םall of themN m sg constr + 3mp suffix · כֹּל (H3605)Appositional emphatic restatement of the subjectכֹּל + 3mp suffix, 'all of them'; emphatic doubling of the totality claim — no one excluded, Korah implies, including his own already-elevated Levitical status.
קְדֹשִׁ֔יםholyadj m pl abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Predicate adjectiveקָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy, set apart'; Korah universalizes a status Israel does bear corporately (Exod 19:6) but weaponizes it to erase the graded distinctions of priest, Levite, and lay Israelite that YHWH himself instituted.
וּבְתוֹכָ֖םand in their midstconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3mp suffix · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial prepositional phrase (coordinate clause)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst' + בְּ + 3mp suffix; Korah's second premise — that divine presence is undifferentiated among the whole people.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject (of the coordinate clause)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; Korah's claim is theologically half-true (cf. Exod 25:8) but pressed to a false, leveling conclusion that erases Aaron's unique priesthood.
וּמַדּ֥וּעַand whyconj וְ + interrogative particle · מַדּוּעַ (H4069)Interrogative (rhetorical, introduces the charge)מַדּוּעַ (H4069) 'why'; a rhetorical, not genuine, question — an accusation dressed as inquiry.
תִּֽתְנַשְּׂא֖וּdo you exalt yourselvesHitpael impf 2mp · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (rhetorical question, main clause)→ Yiqtol/Hitpael: iterative-reflexive, ongoing self-exaltation framed as accusationנָשָׂא (H5375) Hitpael 'to lift oneself up, exalt oneself'; the reflexive stem itself accuses Moses and Aaron of self-promotion — ironically inverting Numbers' own portrait of Moses as 'very humble' (Num 12:3).
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (comparative: over/above)עַל (H5921) here comparative, 'over, above' the assembly.
קְהַ֥לassembly ofN m sg constr · קָהָל (H6951)Construct (object of preposition)קָהָל (H6951) 'assembly, congregation', near-synonym of עֵדָה; naming it 'the assembly of YHWH' implicitly denies Moses and Aaron any distinct mediating role within it.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct completion)יְהוָה (H3068); the closing rhetorical flourish frames the complaint as zeal for the LORD's community rather than personal ambition.
4

וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַיִּפֹּ֖ל עַל פָּנָֽיו

When Moses heard, he fell on his face.

Response / reactionasyndeton
Moses' silent physical response answers the charge of self-exaltation with the opposite gesture: no verbal rebuttal yet, only prostrate appeal to YHWH.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣עheardQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; Moses' first recorded response to the charge is reception, not retaliation.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses'.
וַיִּפֹּ֖לand he fellQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; falling on the face is Moses' characteristic posture of intercessory prostration before YHWH in crisis (cf. Num 14:5; 20:6) — humility answering the charge of self-exaltation.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (spatial)עַל (H5921) 'upon, on'.
פָּנָֽיוhis faceN c pl constr + 3ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of prepositionפָּנִים (H6440) 'face' + 3ms suffix; the idiom נָפַל עַל פָּנָיו 'fell on his face' marks urgent, prostrate intercession.
5

וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר אֶל קֹ֜רַח וְאֶֽל כָּל עֲדָתוֹ֮ לֵאמֹר֒ בֹּ֠קֶר וְיֹדַ֨ע יְהוָ֧ה אֶת אֲשֶׁר ל֛וֹ וְאֶת הַקָּד֖וֹשׁ וְהִקְרִ֣יב אֵלָ֑יו וְאֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִבְחַר בּ֖וֹ יַקְרִ֥יב אֵלָֽיו

He spoke to Korah and to all his company, saying, "In the morning YHWH will make known who is his, and who is holy, and he will bring that one near to himself; the one he chooses he will bring near to himself."

Response (Moses' counter-proposal)asyndeton
Moses reframes the dispute from human self-assertion (v. 3's תִּתְנַשְּׂאוּ) to divine adjudication: YHWH alone will disclose, choose, and grant access. The overnight deferral builds suspense and offers space to reconsider.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֨רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; Moses now answers verbally, following the silent collapse of v. 4.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
קֹ֜רַחKorahproper noun · קֹרַח (H7141)Object of prepositionקֹרַח (H7141), addressed here directly as the instigator.
וְאֶֽלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) repeated, extending the address to the whole faction.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; quantifier construct.
עֲדָתוֹ֮his companyN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · עֵדָה (H5712)Genitive (construct completion)עֵדָה (H5712) + 3ms suffix; Moses pointedly calls Korah's faction 'HIS congregation' — not YHWH's, distancing it from the legitimate עֵדָה Korah invoked in v. 3.
לֵאמֹר֒sayingprep לְ + Qal infin constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive (introduces direct speech)→ Infinitive construct: introduces quoted discourseאָמַר (H559) infinitive construct with לְ; the standard formula introducing direct speech.
בֹּ֠קֶרmorningN m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Adverbial accusative (temporal)בֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; the timing of YHWH's verdict, deferred through the ordeal of vv. 6-7 — a night's delay that offers space to reconsider.
וְיֹדַ֨עand he will make knownHiphil jussive/impf 3ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause, future)→ Yiqtol: YHWH's forthcoming disclosure, to be resolved through the ordealיָדַע (H3045) Hiphil 'to cause to know, make known'; YHWH himself, not Moses, will render the verdict — reframing the dispute as God's prerogative, not a human power struggle.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the true adjudicator of the dispute.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite object clause 'who is his'; untranslated.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (introduces the object clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the all-purpose Hebrew relative; introduces 'who is his.'
ל֛וֹhisprep + 3ms suffix · לְPredicate complement (possessive: 'who is his')לְ + 3ms suffix; idiomatic possessive, 'belongs to him' — i.e. to YHWH.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conjunction + direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marks the second object clause, 'who is holy.'
הַקָּד֖וֹשׁthe holy oneart + adj m sg abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Direct object (substantival adjective)קָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy'; with the article, substantized 'the holy one' — the true referent of holiness to be revealed by God, not self-declared as Korah did in v. 3.
וְהִקְרִ֣יבand he will bring nearHiphil weqatal 3ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (coordinate, future/consequential)→ Weqatal: continuing the future sequence, YHWH's resultant actionקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, cause to approach'; the technical term for admission to priestly service (cf. Lev 8) — access to the sanctuary is divinely granted, not self-appointed.
אֵלָ֑יוto himselfprep + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial (destination)אֶל (H413) + 3ms suffix, referring to YHWH; 'bring near to himself.'
וְאֵ֛תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conjunction + direct-object marker (resumptive)אֵת (H853) resumes as object marker for the relative clause that follows, 'whom he chooses.'
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (resumed as object)אֲשֶׁר (H834); 'the one whom' he chooses.
יִבְחַרhe choosesQal impf 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: durative/characteristic — YHWH's electing actionבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose, elect'; the verb of divine election, decisive against any human claim to office by birth or self-assertion alone.
בּ֖וֹhimprep + 3ms suffix · בְּObject of preposition (resumptive)בְּ + 3ms suffix, resuming the relative clause's object, the one YHWH chooses.
יַקְרִ֥יבhe will bring nearHiphil impf 3ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Yiqtol: future/durative — the confirming outcome of the ordealקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil, repeated for emphasis — YHWH himself grants access; the verdict is entirely his to render.
אֵלָֽיוto himselfprep + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial (destination)אֶל (H413) + 3ms suffix; closes an inclusio with the identical phrase earlier in the verse — nearness to YHWH is his alone to grant.
6

זֹ֖את עֲשׂ֑וּ קְחוּ לָכֶ֣ם מַחְתּ֔וֹת קֹ֖רַח וְכָל עֲדָתֽוֹ

Do this: take fire-pans for yourselves, Korah and all his company,

Command (the ordeal instituted)asyndeton
Moses moves from theological reframing (v. 5) to concrete procedure: the censer ordeal begins here, addressed directly to Korah and his company.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
זֹ֖אתthisdemonstrative pronoun f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Direct object (fronted, resumed by the imperatives)זֹאת (H2063) demonstrative 'this'; fronted for emphasis, anticipating the instructions that follow.
עֲשׂ֑וּdoQal impv 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Imperative: direct commandעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; Moses issues the terms of a test, reclaiming procedural initiative from the rebels.
קְחוּtakeQal impv 2mp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (imperative, explicating 'this')→ Imperative: direct commandלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here WITH an expressed object (fire-pans), unlike the notoriously object-less לקח that opened the chapter in v. 1.
לָכֶ֣םfor yourselvesprep + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantageלְ + 2mp suffix, 'for yourselves.'
מַחְתּ֔וֹתfire-pansN f pl abs · מַחְתָּה (H4289)Direct objectמַחְתָּה (H4289) 'fire-pan, censer'; a metal pan for carrying coals and incense (cf. Exod 27:3) — ordinarily priestly equipment, now placed in lay/Levite hands as the very instrument of the test.
קֹ֖רַחKorahproper noun · קֹרַח (H7141)Vocative (addressee of the imperatives)קֹרַח (H7141), named directly as the one commanded.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all', joined by conjunction to the vocative.
עֲדָתֽוֹhis companyN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · עֵדָה (H5712)Genitive (construct completion)עֵדָה (H5712) + 3ms suffix, 'his company' — again marked as belonging to Korah, not to YHWH.
7

וּתְנ֣וּ בָהֵ֣ן אֵ֡שׁ וְשִׂימוּ֩ עֲלֵיהֶ֨ן קְטֹ֜רֶת לִפְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ מָחָ֔ר וְהָיָ֗ה הָאִ֛ישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה ה֣וּא הַקָּד֑וֹשׁ רַב לָכֶ֖ם בְּנֵ֥י לֵוִֽי

Put fire in them and place incense on them before YHWH tomorrow; and the man whom YHWH chooses — he is the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!

Continuation (ordeal instructions + rebuke)asyndeton
Moses finishes the test's mechanics, then turns Korah's own idiom (רַב, v. 3) back on the Levites specifically, exposing that the real grievance is priestly office, not corporate holiness.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וּתְנ֣וּand putQal impv 2mp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (imperative, coordinate)→ Imperative: direct commandנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put'; continuing the ordeal's instructions.
בָהֵ֣ןin themprep + 3fp suffix · בְּObject of preposition (referring to the fire-pans)בְּ + 3fp suffix, referring back to the feminine plural מַחְתּוֹת 'fire-pans' of v. 6.
אֵ֡שׁfireN c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Direct objectאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; ordinary fire here, whose unauthorized cultic use will prove fatal in v. 35 — recalling the 'strange fire' of Lev 10:1-2.
וְשִׂימוּ֩and placeQal impv 2mp · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (imperative, coordinate)→ Imperative: direct commandשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place'; second imperative continuing the instructions.
עֲלֵיהֶ֨ןon themprep + 3fp suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (locative)עַל + 3fp suffix, again referring to the fire-pans.
קְטֹ֜רֶתincenseN f sg abs · קְטֹרֶת (H7004)Direct objectקְטֹרֶת (H7004) 'incense'; the sacred blend burned exclusively by authorized priests (Exod 30:34-38) — its unauthorized offering is itself the peril of the test.
לִפְנֵ֤יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (spatial: in the presence of)פָּנִים (H6440) construct with לְ, 'before'; the incense must be presented at the sanctuary itself, before YHWH.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of prepositionיְהוָה (H3068), before whom the incense must be offered.
מָחָ֔רtomorrowN m sg abs · מָחָר (H4279)Adverbial accusative (temporal)מָחָר (H4279) 'tomorrow'; echoes בֹּקֶר of v. 5, fixing the ordeal's timing.
וְהָיָ֗הand it will beQal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis introducer)→ Weqatal: continuing future sequence, the verdict's outcomeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; introduces the resolution formula, 'the man whom YHWH chooses — he is the holy one.'
הָאִ֛ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (casus pendens, resumed by הוּא)אִישׁ (H376) with article; the ordeal's verdict will be personal and singular — not the blanket 'all are holy' Korah claimed in v. 3.
אֲשֶׁרwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the defining relative clause.
יִבְחַ֥רchoosesQal impf 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: durative/characteristic — YHWH's electing actionבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose'; repeats the election-verb of v. 5, binding Moses' two speeches together.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject (of relative clause)יְהוָה (H3068), the one who elects.
ה֣וּאheindependent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive subject pronoun (casus pendens)הוּא (H1931), 3ms independent pronoun resuming 'the man' as subject of the predicate that follows.
הַקָּד֑וֹשׁthe holy oneart + adj m sg abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Predicate nominativeקָדוֹשׁ (H6918) with article; the verdict's conclusion — holiness conferred by divine election, not claimed by human assertion.
רַבenoughadj m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Predicate adjective (exclamatory)רַב (H7227); Moses turns the ordeal announcement into a direct rebuke, reusing Korah's own idiom (v. 3) against him.
לָכֶ֖םfor youprep + 2mp suffix · לְDative of referenceלְ + 2mp suffix, completing the idiom רַב לָכֶם — now flung back at the rebels themselves.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Vocative (construct)בֵּן (H1121) plural construct, addressing the Levites specifically.
לֵוִֽיLeviproper noun · לֵוִי (H3878)Genitive (vocative completion)לֵוִי (H3878); Moses narrows his rebuke to the Levites specifically — Korah's own tribe, already granted unique sanctuary service (chs. 3-4).
8

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֖ה אֶל קֹ֑רַח שִׁמְעוּ נָ֖א בְּנֵ֥י לֵוִֽי

Then Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, sons of Levi:"

Speech introductionasyndeton
Introduces Moses' second, longer appeal (vv. 8-11), now addressed specifically to the Levites rather than the whole company — building toward the charge that their complaint masks a bid for the priesthood itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Moses' extended appeal of vv. 8-11.
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
קֹ֑רַחKorahproper noun · קֹרַח (H7141)Object of prepositionקֹרַח (H7141), addressed here though the appeal that follows is aimed at the Levites as a class.
שִׁמְעוּhearQal impv 2mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Imperative: appeal for attentionשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; the same verb that described Moses' own response in v. 4 — now he asks the same posture of them.
נָ֖אnowparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreaty (softens the imperative)נָא (H4994), a particle of entreaty; softens the command into an earnest appeal rather than a bare order.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Vocative (construct)בֵּן (H1121) plural construct, addressing the Levites.
לֵוִֽיLeviproper noun · לֵוִי (H3878)Genitive (vocative completion)לֵוִי (H3878); the appeal now targets the Levites specifically as a class.
9

הַמְעַ֣ט מִכֶּ֗ם כִּֽי הִבְדִּיל֩ אֱלֹהֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵעֲדַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לְהַקְרִ֥יב אֶתְכֶ֖ם אֵלָ֑יו לַעֲבֹ֗ד אֶת עֲבֹדַת֙ מִשְׁכַּ֣ן יְהוָ֔ה וְלַעֲמֹ֛ד לִפְנֵ֥י הָעֵדָ֖ה לְשָׁרְתָֽם

Is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of YHWH, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?

Rhetorical question (indictment)asyndeton
Moses catalogues privileges the Levites already possess — nearness, tabernacle service, ministering before the congregation — exposing that their grievance cannot really be about exclusion from holiness; it is a bid for something more specific, named outright in v. 10.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
הַמְעַ֣טis it a small thinginterrog ה + N m sg abs · מְעַט (H4592)Predicate adjective (rhetorical question)מְעַט (H4592) 'little, small, few', with interrogative ה; the idiom 'is it too little for you' opens a rebuke — the same idiom the rebels fling back at Moses in v. 13.
מִכֶּ֗םfor youprep + 2mp suffix · מִן (H4480)Comparative complementמִן (H4480) + 2mp suffix; comparative, 'too little in your estimation.'
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (introduces the content clause)כִּי (H3588), here introducing a content clause, 'that...'
הִבְדִּיל֩he has separatedHiphil perf 3ms · בָּדַל (H914)Predicate verb (subordinate clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of prior distinctionבָּדַל (H914) Hiphil 'to separate, set apart'; the same root behind הַבְדָּלָה, otherwise used of Israel's own separation from the nations (Lev 20:24-26) — here applied to the Levites' separation FROM Israel.
אֱלֹהֵ֨יGod ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct (subject)אֱלֹהִים (H430) construct, 'God of'.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
אֶתְכֶם֙[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object (of בהבדיל)אֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix, marking 'you' as the object of God's separating act.
מֵעֲדַ֣תfrom the congregation ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · עֵדָה (H5712)Adverbial (source)עֵדָה (H5712) construct with מִן; the Levites are set apart FROM the very congregation whose blanket holiness Korah invoked in v. 3.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation from which the Levites are set apart.
לְהַקְרִ֥יבto bring nearprep לְ + Hiphil infin constr · קָרַב (H7126)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result of the separationקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil infinitive, 'to bring near'; the SAME verb Moses used twice in v. 5 for YHWH's electing action — the Levites have ALREADY received this very privilege.
אֶתְכֶ֖ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object (of the infinitive)אֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix.
אֵלָ֑יוto himselfprep + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial (destination)אֶל (H413) + 3ms suffix, referring to YHWH — the Levites already stand where Korah's faction now demands to stand.
לַעֲבֹ֗דto serveprep לְ + Qal infin constr · עָבַד (H5647)Purpose infinitive clause (coordinate)→ Infinitive construct: purposeעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, work'; the term for cultic/sanctuary labor performed by Levites (cf. Num 4).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking the object of the service performed.
עֲבֹדַת֙service ofN f sg constr · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Direct object (construct)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service, work'; cognate to the preceding infinitive — an emphatic figura etymologica, 'to serve the service.'
מִשְׁכַּ֣ןtabernacle ofN m sg constr · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Genitive (construct completion)מִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place, tabernacle'; the portable sanctuary — the Levites' already-granted charge.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct completion)יְהוָה (H3068).
וְלַעֲמֹ֛דand to standconj וְ + prep לְ + Qal infin constr · עָמַד (H5975)Purpose infinitive clause (coordinate)→ Infinitive construct: purposeעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; of standing ready in cultic service — a further granted privilege.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) construct with לְ, 'before'.
הָעֵדָ֖הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of prepositionעֵדָה (H5712) with article; the Levites stand as intermediaries BEFORE the congregation — a mediating role, not a leveling one.
לְשָׁרְתָֽםto minister to themprep לְ + Piel infin constr + 3mp suffix · שָׁרַת (H8334)Purpose infinitive clause (coordinate, final)→ Infinitive construct: purpose, culminating the list of granted Levitical privilegesשָׁרַת (H8334) Piel 'to minister, serve'; closes Moses' catalogue of what the Levites already possess, undercutting the demand for still more.
10

וַיַּקְרֵב֙ אֹֽתְךָ֔ וְאֶת כָּל אַחֶ֥יךָ בְנֵי לֵוִ֖י אִתָּ֑ךְ וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּ֖ם גַּם כְּהֻנָּֽה

He has brought you near, you and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you — and now you seek the priesthood also?

Climactic rhetorical questionasyndeton
The chapter's key diagnostic line: after two verses cataloguing granted privileges, Moses names the actual object of desire — כְּהֻנָּה, priesthood — unmasking the theological argument of v. 3 as a bid for Aaronic office.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיַּקְרֵב֙and he brought nearHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, recalling an accomplished privilegeקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil; continues the catalogue of v. 9, now naming Korah personally as its recipient.
אֹֽתְךָ֔[obj] youobj marker + 2ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) + 2ms suffix, singular — now addressed to Korah individually.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conjunction + direct-object markerאֵת (H853), extending the object to Korah's kinsmen.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
אַחֶ֥יךָyour brothersN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Direct object (construct)אָח (H251) + 2ms suffix; 'your brothers' — fellow Levites and Kohathites.
בְנֵיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Appositionבֵּן (H1121) plural construct, in apposition to 'your brothers.'
לֵוִ֖יLeviproper noun · לֵוִי (H3878)Genitiveלֵוִי (H3878).
אִתָּ֑ךְwith youprep + 2ms suffix (archaic spelling) · אֵת/אִתְּ (H854)Adverbial (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) 'with' + 2ms suffix (written with an archaic/poetic ־ָךְ ending); 'with you' — Korah plus his fellow Levites, together.
וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּ֖םand you seekPiel weqatal 2mp · בִּקֵּשׁ (H1245)Predicate verb (main clause, rhetorical accusation)→ Weqatal: continuing sequence — the real, improper aim now named outrightבָּקַשׁ (H1245) Piel 'to seek'; the verb finally names Korah's actual ambition, dropping the euphemisms of vv. 3 and 9.
גַּםalsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverb (emphatic: 'even, too')גַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; intensifies the accusation — not content with existing privileges, they seek still more.
כְּהֻנָּֽהpriesthoodN f sg abs · כְּהֻנָּה (H3550)Direct objectכְּהֻנָּה (H3550) 'priesthood'; the word finally spoken — Aaron's unique office is unmasked as the rebellion's true target.
11

לָכֵ֗ן אַתָּה֙ וְכָל עֲדָ֣תְךָ֔ הַנֹּעָדִ֖ים עַל יְהוָ֑ה וְאַהֲרֹ֣ן מַה ה֔וּא כִּ֥י תלונו תַלִּ֖ינוּ עָלָֽיו

Therefore it is against YHWH that you and all your company have banded together! And as for Aaron — what is he, that you murmur against him?

Conclusion (verdict on the rebellion)asyndeton
Moses' verdict names the rebellion's true target as YHWH himself, not merely its human leaders. The doubled Ketiv/Qere form תלונו / תַלִּינוּ ('you murmur') is a notable textual feature of this verse, with both the written and traditionally-read forms preserved side by side in the Masoretic text.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
לָכֵ֗ןthereforeprep לְ + adverb · כֵּן (H3651)Adverb (inferential, drawing the conclusion)כֵּן (H3651) + לְ, 'therefore'; draws the verdict from the preceding indictment of vv. 8-10.
אַתָּה֙youindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic, independent pronoun)אַתָּה (H859), independent 2ms pronoun; emphatic, singling out Korah personally.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
עֲדָ֣תְךָ֔your companyN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · עֵדָה (H5712)Coordinate subject (construct)עֵדָה (H5712) + 2ms suffix; 'your company' — again marked as Korah's, not YHWH's.
הַנֹּעָדִ֖יםwho are assembledart + Niphal ptc m pl · יָעַד (H3259)Attributive participle (modifying the subject)→ Participle: characterizing, ongoing state of assemblyיָעַד (H3259) Niphal 'to assemble, band together by appointment'; a rarer synonym for the gathering-verb of v. 3 (קהל), reinforcing the charge of organized conspiracy.
עַלagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (hostile)עַל (H5921) 'against'.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of prepositionיְהוָה (H3068); Moses reveals the true target of the rebellion — not himself and Aaron merely, but YHWH who appointed them.
וְאַהֲרֹ֣ןand Aaronconj וְ + proper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Topic (fronted for the rhetorical question)אַהֲרֹן (H175), fronted as the topic of the rhetorical question that follows.
מַהwhatinterrogative pronoun · מָה (H4100)Interrogative pronoun (predicate)מָה (H4100) 'what'; rhetorical — Aaron is nothing in himself, merely YHWH's appointee, not the true object of complaint.
ה֔וּאis heindependent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (copula pronoun)הוּא (H1931), copula pronoun completing the predicate-nominal clause 'what is he.'
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (result)כִּי (H3588), here result/purpose, 'that you should murmur.'
תלונוyou murmur (Ketiv)Hiphil impf 2mp, Ketiv spelling · לוּן (H3885)Predicate verb — Ketiv (as-written) form→ Yiqtol: ongoing complaintלוּן (H3885) Hiphil 'to murmur, grumble'; this is the Ketiv (תלונו, the consonantal text as written), printed immediately before its own Qere תַלִּינוּ — an unusual case where both forms stand consecutively in the received text rather than the Qere silently replacing the Ketiv, a noted textual curiosity of Num 16:11.
תַלִּ֖ינוּyou murmurHiphil impf 2mp, Qere pointing · לוּן (H3885)Predicate verb (main clause) — Qere (as-read) form→ Yiqtol: ongoing, characteristic complaintלוּן (H3885) Hiphil 'to murmur'; the Qere (traditionally vocalized and read) form; the verb of Israel's wilderness complaint tradition (Exod 16-17), now directed specifically at Aaron.
עָלָֽיוagainst himprep + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (object of the complaint)עַל (H5921) + 3ms suffix, referring to Aaron.
12

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח מֹשֶׁ֔ה לִקְרֹ֛א לְדָתָ֥ן וְלַאֲבִירָ֖ם בְּנֵ֣י אֱלִיאָ֑ב וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ לֹ֥א נַעֲלֶֽה

Then Moses sent to summon Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab; but they said, "We will not come up."

Narrative turn (refusal)asyndeton
The scene shifts from priestly ambition (the Levites) to a second grievance, more political/economic (the Reubenites); their blunt refusal to even appear sets up the accusations of vv. 13-14.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣חand he sentQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Moses turns from the Levites to the Reubenite co-conspirators named in v. 1.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses'.
לִקְרֹ֛אto callprep לְ + Qal infin constr · קָרָא (H7121)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct: purposeקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon'.
לְדָתָ֥ןfor Dathanprep לְ + proper noun · דָּתָן (H1885)Object of preposition (summoned party)דָּתָן (H1885); summoned, but refuses to appear (rest of the verse).
וְלַאֲבִירָ֖םand for Abiramconj וְ + prep לְ + proper noun · אֲבִירָם (H48)Coordinate object of prepositionאֲבִירָם (H48); summoned alongside his brother Dathan.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Appositionבֵּן (H1121) plural construct, identifying the pair's patronymic.
אֱלִיאָ֑בEliabproper noun · אֱלִיאָב (H446)Genitiveאֱלִיאָב (H446), father of Dathan and Abiram.
וַיֹּאמְר֖וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); their reply is outright refusal — the summons fails.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negates the following verb)לֹא (H3808), the standard clause negative.
נַעֲלֶֽהwe will come upQal impf 1cp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (direct speech, refusal)→ Yiqtol: volitional refusal, future/modalעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; refusing even to appear before Moses — the same verb they twist in v. 13 to accuse Moses of bringing them 'up' out of a good land only to die.
13

הַמְעַ֗ט כִּ֤י הֶֽעֱלִיתָ֨נוּ֙ מֵאֶ֨רֶץ זָבַ֤ת חָלָב֙ וּדְבַ֔שׁ לַהֲמִיתֵ֖נוּ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר כִּֽי תִשְׂתָּרֵ֥ר עָלֵ֖ינוּ גַּם הִשְׂתָּרֵֽר

Is it too small a thing that you brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that you must even lord it over us?

Direct discourse (Dathan and Abiram's counter-accusation)asyndeton
A stunning inversion: the Reubenites apply the 'land flowing with milk and honey' formula to EGYPT rather than Canaan, and hurl both Moses' own idiom (v. 9's הַמְעַט) and the rebellion's own self-exaltation charge (v. 3) back at him.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
הַמְעַ֗טis it a small thinginterrog ה + N m sg abs · מְעַט (H4592)Predicate adjective (rhetorical, bitter irony)מְעַט (H4592) with interrogative ה; Dathan and Abiram fling Moses' own idiom (v. 9) back at him, twisted into bitter sarcasm.
כִּ֤יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (content clause)כִּי (H3588), introducing the content of the complaint.
הֶֽעֱלִיתָ֨נוּ֙you have brought us upHiphil perf 2ms + 1cp suffix · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (subordinate clause)→ Perfective: a completed act, recast as accusationעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up'; the exodus itself recast as an act of harm — grim irony, since 'bringing up' is Israel's great redemption formula elsewhere (Exod 3:8).
מֵאֶ֨רֶץfrom a landprep מִן + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial (source)אֶרֶץ (H776) construct with מִן; astonishingly applied here to EGYPT, not Canaan — a bitter inversion of the normal formula.
זָבַ֤תflowing (with)Qal ptc f sg constr · זוּב (H2100)Attributive participle (construct, modifying 'land')→ Participle: characterizing, ongoing qualityזוּב (H2100) 'to flow, gush'; construct participle 'flowing with' — part of the stock phrase 'a land flowing with milk and honey,' normally describing CANAAN (Exod 3:8), here perversely applied to Egypt.
חָלָב֙milkN m sg abs · חָלָב (H2461)Object (of the participle)חָלָב (H2461) 'milk'.
וּדְבַ֔שׁand honeyconj וְ + N m sg abs · דְּבַשׁ (H1706)Coordinate objectדְּבַשׁ (H1706) 'honey'; the crux of this verse is applying the whole stock phrase to Egypt rather than the promised land.
לַהֲמִיתֵ֖נוּto kill usprep לְ + Hiphil infin constr + 1cp suffix · מוּת (H4191)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct: alleged purposeמוּת (H4191) Hiphil 'to kill, cause to die'; the accusation escalates the exodus itself into attempted murder.
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑רin the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Adverbial (locative)מִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert'; the accusation's setting — precisely where the narrative itself takes place.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (resumptive)כִּי (H3588), resuming and extending the accusation.
תִשְׂתָּרֵ֥רyou make yourself rulerHitpael impf 2ms · שָׂרַר (H8323)Predicate verb (subordinate clause, rhetorical accusation)→ Yiqtol/Hitpael: reflexive, self-aggrandizing ambitionשָׂרַר (H8323) Hitpael 'to make oneself a prince, lord it over'; echoes the self-exaltation charge of v. 3's תִּתְנַשְּׂאוּ, now directed back at Moses himself — a striking reversal of the accusation's direction.
עָלֵ֖ינוּover usprep + 1cp suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (object of domination)עַל (H5921) + 1cp suffix.
גַּםevenadverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverb (emphatic)גַּם (H1571), intensifying — 'must you EVEN lord it over us,' as if bringing them to die were not enough.
הִשְׂתָּרֵֽרmake yourself rulerHitpael infin abs · שָׂרַר (H8323)Infinitive absolute (emphatic, reinforcing the finite verb)→ Infinitive absolute: intensifies/confirms the preceding finite verbשָׂרַר (H8323) Hitpael infinitive absolute, paired with the finite תִשְׂתָּרֵר for rhetorical emphasis — 'utterly lord it over us.'
14

אַ֡ף לֹ֣א אֶל אֶרֶץ֩ זָבַ֨ת חָלָ֤ב וּדְבַשׁ֙ הֲבִ֣יאֹתָ֔נוּ וַתִּ֨תֶּן לָ֔נוּ נַחֲלַ֖ת שָׂדֶ֣ה וָכָ֑רֶם הַעֵינֵ֞י הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים הָהֵ֛ם תְּנַקֵּ֖ר לֹ֥א נַעֲלֶֽה

Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!

Continuation (accusation intensified)asyndeton
The Reubenites press their inversion further, denying any fulfilled land-grant and accusing Moses of intending to deceive them ('gouge out the eyes,' a proverbial idiom for fraud) before repeating their refusal verbatim — a ring composition with v. 12.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
אַ֡ףmoreoveradverb · אַף (H637)Adverb (emphatic, intensifying the negation)אַף (H637) 'also, indeed, moreover'; intensifies the following negation — 'not even...'
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particleלֹא (H3808), the standard clause negative.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, into'.
אֶרֶץ֩a landN c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of prepositionאֶרֶץ (H776); the 'land' vocabulary again, now denying — bitterly, and dishonestly — that Moses ever delivered on the promise.
זָבַ֨תflowing (with)Qal ptc f sg constr · זוּב (H2100)Attributive participle (construct)→ Participle: characterizing qualityזוּב (H2100), repeating the stock phrase from v. 13.
חָלָ֤בmilkN m sg abs · חָלָב (H2461)Object (of the participle)חָלָב (H2461) 'milk'.
וּדְבַשׁ֙and honeyconj וְ + N m sg abs · דְּבַשׁ (H1706)Coordinate objectדְּבַשׁ (H1706) 'honey'.
הֲבִ֣יאֹתָ֔נוּyou have brought usHiphil perf 2ms + 1cp suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: negated completed actבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring, cause to come'; negated — the specific charge that Moses has failed to deliver the promised land.
וַתִּ֨תֶּןnor have you givenQal wayyiqtol 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, coordinate, negated)→ Wayyiqtol: continuing the negated indictmentנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; continues the charge of unfulfilled promise.
לָ֔נוּto usprep + 1cp suffix · לְIndirect objectלְ + 1cp suffix, 'to/for us.'
נַחֲלַ֖תinheritance ofN f sg constr · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct object (construct)נַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, possession'; the promised land as an allotted inheritance — precisely what, in their telling, has never been given.
שָׂדֶ֣הfieldN m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitive (construct completion)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field'.
וָכָ֑רֶםand vineyardconj וְ + N c sg abs · כֶּרֶם (H3754)Coordinate genitiveכֶּרֶם (H3754) 'vineyard'; together with 'field', the tangible agricultural wealth of settled land — still lacking, in their complaint.
הַעֵינֵ֞יthe eyes ofinterrog ה + N c dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object (rhetorical question, fronted)עַיִן (H5869) dual construct with interrogative ה; 'will you gouge out the eyes' — a proverbial idiom for total deception/blinding (cf. 1 Sam 11:2), accusing Moses of trying to hoodwink them further.
הָאֲנָשִׁ֥יםthe menart + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Genitive (construct completion)אִישׁ (H376) with article, 'the men' — Dathan and Abiram refer to themselves in the third person, a distancing, self-pitying rhetorical stance.
הָהֵ֛םthoseart + independent pronoun 3mp (demonstrative use) · הֵם (H1992)Attributive demonstrative (modifying 'the men')הֵם (H1992) with article, functioning demonstratively, 'those men' — a self-referential, distancing expression.
תְּנַקֵּ֖רwill you gouge outPiel impf 2ms · נָקַר (H5365)Predicate verb (rhetorical question, main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal, rhetorical accusationנָקַר (H5365) Piel 'to bore out, gouge'; a violent idiom for total deceit/blinding, the climax of the Reubenites' accusation against Moses.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particleלֹא (H3808).
נַעֲלֶֽהwe will come upQal impf 1cp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (direct speech, refusal, repeated)→ Yiqtol: volitional refusalעָלָה (H5927); the refrain of v. 12 repeated verbatim, framing vv. 13-14 as a ring composition.
15

וַיִּ֤חַר לְמֹשֶׁה֙ מְאֹ֔ד וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל יְהוָ֔ה אַל תֵּ֖פֶן אֶל מִנְחָתָ֑ם לֹ֠א חֲמ֨וֹר אֶחָ֤ד מֵהֶם֙ נָשָׂ֔אתִי וְלֹ֥א הֲרֵעֹ֖תִי אֶת אַחַ֥ד מֵהֶֽם

Moses became very angry, and he said to YHWH, "Do not regard their offering. I have not taken a single donkey from them, nor have I wronged a single one of them."

Response (anger and self-defense)asyndeton
The chapter's first note of Moses' own anger; his prayer that YHWH reject Dathan and Abiram's offering pairs with an oath-like defense of his own integrity as leader, echoing Samuel's farewell defense in 1 Sam 12:3.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיִּ֤חַרand it burnedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָרָה (H2734)Predicate verb (main clause, idiomatic: anger)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceחָרָה (H2734) 'to burn'; the idiom חָרָה לְ 'anger burned against' — Moses' patience finally breaks after the Reubenites' accusations.
לְמֹשֶׁה֙to Mosesprep לְ + proper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Dative (experiencer of the anger)מֹשֶׁה (H4872) + לְ; the idiomatic dative of the one who becomes angry.
מְאֹ֔דveryadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverb (intensifier)מְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; intensifies the anger idiom — the chapter's first explicit note of Moses' own emotional break.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Moses now turns to address YHWH directly rather than the rebels.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of prepositionיְהוָה (H3068), now addressed directly in prayer.
אַלdo notnegative particle (volitional) · אַל (H408)Negative particle (with jussive force)אַל (H408), the negative used with volitional forms (jussive/imperative), distinct from indicative לֹא.
תֵּ֖פֶןturn/regardQal jussive 2ms · פָּנָה (H6437)Predicate verb (negative volitional, main clause)→ Jussive: negative petition/prayerפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn, face, regard'; Moses prays that YHWH not 'turn toward' — i.e. accept favorably — his accusers' offering, an unusually personal act of intercession against his own opponents.
אֶלtowardprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'toward', completing the idiom פָּנָה אֶל.
מִנְחָתָ֑םtheir offeringN f sg constr + 3mp suffix · מִנְחָה (H4503)Object of prepositionמִנְחָה (H4503) 'offering, gift, tribute'; a grain/gift offering distinct from the incense of the Levites' ordeal — whatever token tribute the rebels might yet bring, Moses asks it be refused outright.
לֹ֠אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particleלֹא (H3808), introducing Moses' self-defense.
חֲמ֨וֹרdonkeyN c sg abs · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Direct objectחֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; Moses defends his own integrity — he has taken nothing, not even the most basic pack animal, from the people (cf. Samuel's nearly identical self-defense, 1 Sam 12:3).
אֶחָ֤דonecardinal number m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Numeral (modifying 'donkey')אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; emphatic minimal quantity — not even a single donkey.
מֵהֶם֙from themprep + 3mp suffix · מִןAdverbial (source)מִן + 3mp suffix, 'from them.'
נָשָׂ֔אתִיI have takenQal perf 1cs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed act, deniedנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, take'; here 'take by extortion' — Moses denies exploiting the people under his charge.
וְלֹ֥אnorconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating negativeוְלֹא, continuing the self-defense with a second denial.
הֲרֵעֹ֖תִיhave I harmedHiphil perf 1cs · רָעַע (H7489)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed act, deniedרָעַע (H7489) Hiphil 'to do harm, injure'; Moses' second claim of innocence — he has wronged no one.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking the object of harm denied.
אַחַ֥דonecardinal number m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Direct object (numeral)אֶחָד (H259), repeated for emphasis — 'not a single one of them.'
מֵהֶֽםof themprep + 3mp suffix · מִןAdverbial (partitive)מִן + 3mp suffix, partitive, 'of them.'
16

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל קֹ֔רַח אַתָּה֙ וְכָל עֲדָ֣תְךָ֔ הֱי֖וּ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה אַתָּ֥ה וָהֵ֛ם וְאַהֲרֹ֖ן מָחָֽר

Then Moses said to Korah, "You and all your company be present before YHWH — you, and they, and Aaron — tomorrow."

Command (summons restated)asyndeton
Moses restates the ordeal's terms (cf. vv. 6-7), now as direct summons to Korah, confirming that Aaron himself will also stand the same test rather than being exempted by fiat.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Moses now addresses Korah directly with the ordeal's final terms.
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'.
קֹ֔רַחKorahproper noun · קֹרַח (H7141)Object of prepositionקֹרַח (H7141), directly addressed with the ordeal's summons.
אַתָּה֙youindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic)אַתָּה (H859), emphatic subject opening the list of summoned parties.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
עֲדָ֣תְךָ֔your companyN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · עֵדָה (H5712)Coordinate subject (construct)עֵדָה (H5712) + 2ms suffix; again marked as Korah's own company.
הֱי֖וּbe presentQal impv 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Imperative: summons to appearהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; imperative 'be (present)' — summoning Korah's company to the ordeal itself.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (spatial)פָּנִים (H6440) construct with לְ, 'before'.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of prepositionיְהוָה (H3068), before whom the ordeal will take place.
אַתָּ֥הyouindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (repeated, emphatic list)אַתָּה (H859), repeated to head the final roll call of participants.
וָהֵ֛םand theyconj וְ + independent pronoun 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Coordinate subjectהֵם (H1992), 3mp independent pronoun, referring to Korah's company.
וְאַהֲרֹ֖ןand Aaronconj וְ + proper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Coordinate subjectאַהֲרֹן (H175); pointedly, Aaron too must appear — he is not exempted but will stand the very same test.
מָחָֽרtomorrowN m sg abs · מָחָר (H4279)Adverbial accusative (temporal)מָחָר (H4279) 'tomorrow'; the appointed day of the ordeal.
17

וּקְח֣וּ אִ֣ישׁ מַחְתָּת֗וֹ וּנְתַתֶּ֤ם עֲלֵיהֶם֙ קְטֹ֔רֶת וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֞ם לִפְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ אִ֣ישׁ מַחְתָּת֔וֹ חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּמָאתַ֖יִם מַחְתֹּ֑ת וְאַתָּ֥ה וְאַהֲרֹ֖ן אִ֥ישׁ מַחְתָּתֽוֹ

Take, each man, his fire-pan, and put incense on them, and bring near before YHWH, each man, his fire-pan — 250 fire-pans — you also, and Aaron, each his fire-pan.

Command (ordeal finalized)asyndeton
The instructions are repeated with mounting specificity — every fire-pan is to be brought personally before YHWH, Korah's own censer included — escalating the ordeal to encompass the entire company plus Aaron.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וּקְח֣וּand takeQal impv 2mp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Imperative: direct commandלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; repeating and finalizing the ordeal's instructions.
אִ֣ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive apposition (subject: 'each one')אִישׁ (H376) in distributive apposition, 'each man' — every participant individually equipped for the test.
מַחְתָּת֗וֹhis fire-panN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · מַחְתָּה (H4289)Direct objectמַחְתָּה (H4289) + 3ms suffix, 'his censer.'
וּנְתַתֶּ֤םand you shall putQal weqatal 2mp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (coordinate, sequential command)→ Weqatal: continuing sequence of instructionsנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put'.
עֲלֵיהֶם֙on themprep + 3mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (locative)עַל (H5921) + 3mp suffix, referring to the fire-pans.
קְטֹ֔רֶתincenseN f sg abs · קְטֹרֶת (H7004)Direct objectקְטֹרֶת (H7004) 'incense'; the sacred blend, its unauthorized use the peril of the whole test.
וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֞םand you shall bring nearHiphil weqatal 2mp · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (coordinate, sequential command)→ Weqatal: continuing sequenceקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil; each participant will personally present his fire-pan, escalating the ordeal's risk to the entire company of 250 plus Korah.
לִפְנֵ֤יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (spatial)פָּנִים (H6440) construct with לְ, 'before'.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of prepositionיְהוָה (H3068), before whom every fire-pan must be presented.
אִ֣ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive appositionאִישׁ (H376), repeated distributive.
מַחְתָּת֔וֹhis fire-panN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · מַחְתָּה (H4289)Direct objectמַחְתָּה (H4289) + 3ms suffix, repeated for emphasis.
חֲמִשִּׁ֥יםfiftycardinal number c pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Numeral (first element of compound number)חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty'; toward the total of 250 fire-pans.
וּמָאתַ֖יִםand two hundredconj וְ + cardinal number c dual abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral (second element)מָאתַיִם (H3967), dual of מֵאָה; with חֲמִשִּׁים, 250 total.
מַחְתֹּ֑תfire-pansN f pl abs · מַחְתָּה (H4289)Appositional total (summarizing the count)מַחְתָּה (H4289) plural, restating the total — 250 fire-pans, matching the 250 chiefs first counted in v. 2.
וְאַתָּ֥הand youconj וְ + independent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Coordinate subjectאַתָּה (H859), Korah specifically included in the count of participants.
וְאַהֲרֹ֖ןand Aaronconj וְ + proper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Coordinate subjectאַהֲרֹן (H175), also included with his own fire-pan among the 250 plus one.
אִ֥ישׁeachN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive appositionאִישׁ (H376), final distributive of the list.
מַחְתָּתֽוֹhis fire-panN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · מַחְתָּה (H4289)Direct objectמַחְתָּה (H4289) + 3ms suffix, closing the verse's threefold refrain.
18

וַיִּקְח֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ מַחְתָּת֗וֹ וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ עֲלֵיהֶם֙ אֵ֔שׁ וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם קְטֹ֑רֶת וַֽיַּעַמְד֗וּ פֶּ֛תַח אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵ֖ד וּמֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאַהֲרֹֽן

So they took, each man, his fire-pan, and put fire on them, and laid incense on them, and they stood at the entrance of the tent of meeting, along with Moses and Aaron.

Narrative complianceasyndeton
The rebels comply fully with the ordeal's terms — a chain of wayyiqtol verbs enacting the buildup to confrontation at the sanctuary's very threshold.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיִּקְח֞וּand they tookQal wayyiqtol 3mp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947); the company complies fully with the ordeal's terms.
אִ֣ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive appositionאִישׁ (H376), distributive, 'each man.'
מַחְתָּת֗וֹhis fire-panN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · מַחְתָּה (H4289)Direct objectמַחְתָּה (H4289) + 3ms suffix.
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּand they putQal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put'.
עֲלֵיהֶם֙on themprep + 3mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (locative)עַל (H5921) + 3mp suffix.
אֵ֔שׁfireN c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Direct objectאֵשׁ (H784); unauthorized fire, foreshadowing the judgment of v. 35.
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּand they laidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place'.
עֲלֵיהֶ֖םon themprep + 3mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (locative)עַל (H5921) + 3mp suffix.
קְטֹ֑רֶתincenseN f sg abs · קְטֹרֶת (H7004)Direct objectקְטֹרֶת (H7004) 'incense'.
וַֽיַּעַמְד֗וּand they stoodQal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; the rebels take up position at the sanctuary entrance — the same verb used of legitimate Levitical service in v. 9, now performed in open defiance.
פֶּ֛תַחentrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Adverbial (locative, construct)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, entrance'; the threshold of sacred space.
אֹ֥הֶלtent ofN m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive (construct completion)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'.
מוֹעֵ֖דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive (construct completion)מוֹעֵד (H4150); together אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד 'tent of meeting,' the sanctuary's central structure — where YHWH's glory will shortly appear (v. 19).
וּמֹשֶׁ֥הand Mosesconj וְ + proper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Coordinate subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872), present at the confrontation with the rebels.
וְאַהֲרֹֽןand Aaronconj וְ + proper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Coordinate subjectאַהֲרֹן (H175), likewise present, his own fire-pan at stake in the test.
19

וַיַּקְהֵ֨ל עֲלֵיהֶ֥ם קֹ֨רַח֙ אֶת כָּל הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה אֶל פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וַיֵּרָ֥א כְבוֹד יְהוָ֖ה אֶל כָּל הָעֵדָֽה

Then Korah assembled all the congregation against them at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and the glory of YHWH appeared to all the congregation.

Narrative climax (theophany)asyndeton
Korah's escalation — mobilizing the WHOLE nation, not merely his original 250 — is met immediately by YHWH's own glory appearing at the sanctuary entrance; the human bid for a mass referendum triggers direct divine intervention.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיַּקְהֵ֨לand he assembledHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · קָהַל (H6950)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, escalatingקָהַל (H6950) Hiphil 'to assemble, call together'; Korah escalates by mustering the WHOLE congregation, not just his 250 — attempting a public referendum against Moses and Aaron.
עֲלֵיהֶ֥םagainst themprep + 3mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (hostile)עַל (H5921) + 3mp suffix, hostile — against Moses and Aaron.
קֹ֨רַח֙Korahproper noun · קֹרַח (H7141)Subjectקֹרַח (H7141), now mobilizing the entire nation.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking the congregation as object of Korah's summons.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָ֣עֵדָ֔הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Direct objectעֵדָה (H5712) with article; the WHOLE nation now mustered — escalating vastly beyond the original 250 chiefs plus Korah.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'.
פֶּ֖תַחentrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Adverbial (locative, construct)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, entrance'.
אֹ֣הֶלtent ofN m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive (construct completion)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'.
מוֹעֵ֑דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive (construct completion)מוֹעֵד (H4150); the confrontation reaches the sanctuary's own entrance.
וַיֵּרָ֥אand it appearedNiphal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative climax)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative climax, sudden divine interventionרָאָה (H7200) Niphal 'to appear, be seen'; YHWH's glory appears at the moment of maximum public confrontation — direct divine intervention answering Korah's mass mobilization.
כְבוֹדglory ofN c sg constr · כָּבוֹד (H3519)Subject (construct)כָּבוֹד (H3519) 'glory, weightiness'; the visible manifestation of YHWH's presence (cf. Exod 40:34), here appearing in judgment rather than blessing.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct completion)יְהוָה (H3068).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָעֵדָֽהthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of prepositionעֵדָה (H5712) with article; the whole assembled nation witnesses the theophany.
20

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽל אַהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר

And YHWH spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

Speech introduction (divine oracle)asyndeton
The standard formula introducing YHWH's direct address, now spoken to both leaders together as the crisis reaches its most dangerous point.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֣רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; YHWH now speaks directly, moving from theophany to explicit instruction.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prepositionמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
וְאֶֽלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) repeated, extending the address to Aaron.
אַהֲרֹ֖ןAaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Object of prepositionאַהֲרֹן (H175), addressed alongside Moses.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal infin constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive (introduces direct speech)→ Infinitive construct: introduces quoted discourseאָמַר (H559) infinitive construct with לְ; the standard formula introducing divine speech.
21

הִבָּ֣דְל֔וּ מִתּ֖וֹךְ הָעֵדָ֣ה הַזֹּ֑את וַאַכַלֶּ֥ה אֹתָ֖ם כְּרָֽגַע

Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.

Divine command (imminent judgment threatened)asyndeton
YHWH threatens to annihilate the entire congregation, not merely the rebel faction — a moment paralleling Exod 32:10, where Moses' intercession alone stands between the nation and total destruction.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
הִבָּ֣דְל֔וּseparate yourselvesNiphal impv 2mp · בָּדַל (H914)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Imperative: urgent divine commandבָּדַל (H914) Niphal 'to separate oneself'; YHWH commands Moses and Aaron to withdraw so judgment can fall on the guilty alone — the same root used positively of the Levites' separation in v. 9, now urgently needed to spare the innocent.
מִתּ֖וֹךְfrom the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial (source)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) construct with מִן, 'from the midst of.'
הָעֵדָ֣הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of prepositionעֵדָה (H5712) with article; the whole nation just mustered in v. 19.
הַזֹּ֑אתthisart + demonstrative pronoun f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrativeזֹאת (H2063) with article, 'this' congregation — the one just now surrounding the tent of meeting.
וַאַכַלֶּ֥הthat I may consumePiel cohortative 1cs · כָּלָה (H3615)Predicate verb (purpose/result, main clause)→ Cohortative: volitional intent, imminent judgmentכָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'to finish, consume, destroy'; the threatened annihilation of the entire congregation just mustered in v. 19 — a moment of maximal peril for Israel.
אֹתָ֖ם[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) + 3mp suffix, referring to the whole congregation.
כְּרָֽגַעin a momentprep כְּ + N m sg abs · רֶגַע (H7281)Adverbial (temporal, manner)רֶגַע (H7281) 'moment, instant'; the swiftness of the threatened destruction, echoing the golden-calf crisis of Exod 32:10.
22

וַיִּפְּל֤וּ עַל פְּנֵיהֶם֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ אֵ֕ל אֱלֹהֵ֥י הָרוּחֹ֖ת לְכָל בָּשָׂ֑ר הָאִ֤ישׁ אֶחָד֙ יֶחֱטָ֔א וְעַ֥ל כָּל הָעֵדָ֖ה תִּקְצֹֽף

And they fell on their faces and said, "O God, God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will you be angry with the whole congregation?"

Intercessory prayerasyndeton
Moses and Aaron intercede jointly, invoking a unique divine title ('God of the spirits of all flesh,' cf. Num 27:16) to argue that corporate punishment for one man's sin would be unjust — reshaping the coming judgment to fall on Korah's company specifically rather than the whole nation.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיִּפְּל֤וּand they fellQal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceנָפַל (H5307); Moses and Aaron answer the threat of v. 21 with the same posture of intercessory prostration as v. 4 — now interceding for the whole nation, not merely answering an accusation.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'.
פְּנֵיהֶם֙their facesN c pl constr + 3mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of prepositionפָּנִים (H6440) + 3mp suffix, referring jointly to Moses and Aaron.
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Moses and Aaron speak together — a rare joint utterance in the Pentateuch.
אֵ֕לGodN m sg abs · אֵל (H410)Vocativeאֵל (H410), the terse, ancient divine title, lending the prayer unusual gravity and urgency.
אֱלֹהֵ֥יGod ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition (further address)אֱלֹהִים (H430) construct, in apposition to אֵל — 'God, God of the spirits...'
הָרוּחֹ֖תthe spiritsart + N c pl abs · רוּחַ (H7307)Genitive (construct completion)רוּחַ (H7307) 'spirit, breath'; God as author and sustainer of every living being's life-breath — the theological ground of the appeal that follows: he alone discerns the guilty from the innocent.
לְכָלof allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Genitive (construct)כֹּל (H3605) with לְ, 'of/belonging to all.'
בָּשָׂ֑רfleshN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitive (construct completion)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh'; together, 'God of the spirits of all flesh' — a title unique to Moses (here and Num 27:16), stressing God's intimate knowledge of every individual.
הָאִ֤ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subjectאִישׁ (H376) with article; singling out the one guilty party, Korah, as distinct from the many about to be judged.
אֶחָד֙onecardinal number m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Numeral (in apposition to 'the man')אֶחָד (H259), emphasizing the injustice of corporate punishment for individual sin.
יֶחֱטָ֔אsinsQal impf 3ms · חָטָא (H2398)Predicate verb (conditional/rhetorical clause)→ Yiqtol: hypothetical/characteristicחָטָא (H2398) 'to sin, miss the mark'; Moses' intercessory logic — should the whole community bear the guilt of one man's sin?
וְעַ֥לand againstconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'against, with', governing the object of divine wrath.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָעֵדָ֖הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of prepositionעֵדָה (H5712) with article; the whole nation threatened with corporate destruction in v. 21.
תִּקְצֹֽףwill you be angryQal impf 2ms · קָצַף (H7107)Predicate verb (rhetorical question, main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal, imploringקָצַף (H7107) 'to be angry, wrathful'; Moses' plea echoes his intercession at the golden calf and the spies' rebellion (Num 14), challenging collective retribution for individual guilt.
23

וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר

And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying,

Speech introductionasyndeton
YHWH answers Moses and Aaron's intercession immediately with concrete instructions for sparing the innocent — narrated without delay.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceדָּבַר (H1696) Piel; YHWH answers the intercession of v. 22 immediately.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prepositionמֹשֶׁה (H4872), addressed alone this time.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal infin constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive (introduces direct speech)→ Infinitive construct: introduces quoted discourseאָמַר (H559) infinitive construct with לְ; the standard formula introducing divine speech.
24

דַּבֵּ֥ר אֶל הָעֵדָ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר הֵֽעָלוּ֙ מִסָּבִ֔יב לְמִשְׁכַּן קֹ֖רַח דָּתָ֥ן וַאֲבִירָֽם

Speak to the congregation, saying, 'Get away from around the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.'

Divine command (protective instruction)asyndeton
YHWH's answer to the intercession of v. 22 is not to spare everyone unconditionally but to order innocent bystanders to withdraw physically from the guilty, setting the stage for a visibly targeted judgment in vv. 31-33.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
דַּבֵּ֥רspeakPiel impv 2ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Imperative: direct commandדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'.
הָעֵדָ֖הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of prepositionעֵדָה (H5712) with article; YHWH's instruction is now for the whole nation's safety, not merely judgment on the guilty.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal infin constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive (introduces direct speech)→ Infinitive construct: introduces quoted discourseאָמַר (H559) infinitive construct with לְ.
הֵֽעָלוּ֙get awayNiphal impv 2mp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (imperative, quoted command)→ Imperative: urgent evacuation orderעָלָה (H5927) Niphal 'to withdraw, remove oneself'; an urgent command to separate physically for safety, echoing v. 21's separation command, now extended to the whole nation for its own protection.
מִסָּבִ֔יבfrom aroundprep מִן + N c sg abs · סָבִיב (H5439)Adverbial (spatial)סָבִיב (H5439) 'surrounding, around'; the people had gathered around Korah's tents in solidarity or curiosity — now ordered to retreat.
לְמִשְׁכַּןthe dwelling ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Adverbial (source, construct)מִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling, tent'; here the rebels' own tents — ironically the same word used of YHWH's tabernacle in v. 9. The rebels have effectively erected a rival 'dwelling.'
קֹ֖רַחKorahproper noun · קֹרַח (H7141)Genitive (construct completion)קֹרַח (H7141).
דָּתָ֥ןDathanproper noun · דָּתָן (H1885)Coordinate genitiveדָּתָן (H1885).
וַאֲבִירָֽםand Abiramconj וְ + proper noun · אֲבִירָם (H48)Coordinate genitiveאֲבִירָם (H48); the tent-dwellings of all three ringleaders named together.
25

וַיָּ֣קָם מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ אֶל דָּתָ֣ן וַאֲבִירָ֑ם וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ אַחֲרָ֖יו זִקְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

So Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him.

Narrative action (confrontation)asyndeton
Moses acts personally and decisively, accompanied by Israel's recognized elders — a show of legitimate authority contrasted with the rebels' self-appointed status.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיָּ֣קָםand he aroseQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceקוּם (H6965) 'to rise'; Moses takes decisive personal action rather than merely relaying the command.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְand he wentQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; Moses personally confronts Dathan and Abiram at their tents rather than summoning them again.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'.
דָּתָ֣ןDathanproper noun · דָּתָן (H1885)Object of prepositionדָּתָן (H1885).
וַאֲבִירָ֑םand Abiramconj וְ + proper noun · אֲבִירָם (H48)Coordinate object of prepositionאֲבִירָם (H48).
וַיֵּלְכ֥וּand they followedQal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212), repeated; the elders' willingness to accompany Moses signals continued institutional support despite the crisis.
אַחֲרָ֖יוafter himprep + 3ms suffix · אַחַר (H310)Adverbial (accompaniment)אַחַר (H310) + 3ms suffix, 'after him' — following Moses.
זִקְנֵ֥יelders ofadj m pl constr (substantival) · זָקֵן (H2205)Subject (construct)זָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; Israel's recognized leadership body, distinct from the rebellious faction — their presence lends institutional legitimacy to Moses' approach.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
26

וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר אֶל הָעֵדָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר ס֣וּרוּ נָ֡א מֵעַל֩ אָהֳלֵ֨י הָאֲנָשִׁ֤ים הָֽרְשָׁעִים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה וְאַֽל תִּגְּע֖וּ בְּכָל אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָהֶ֑ם פֶּן תִּסָּפ֖וּ בְּכָל חַטֹּאתָֽם

He spoke to the congregation, saying, "Depart now from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing that is theirs, lest you be swept away in all their sin."

Command (protective instruction reiterated)asyndeton
Moses relays YHWH's evacuation order with added urgency and explicit moral judgment ('these wicked men'); the warning against touching anything of theirs, on pain of being 'swept away,' reuses the verb of Sodom's destruction (Gen 19), foreshadowing the catastrophe to come.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֨רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceדָּבַר (H1696) Piel; Moses addresses the congregation directly, executing YHWH's command of v. 24.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'.
הָעֵדָ֜הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of prepositionעֵדָה (H5712) with article.
לֵאמֹ֗רsayingprep לְ + Qal infin constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive (introduces direct speech)→ Infinitive construct: introduces quoted discourseאָמַר (H559) infinitive construct with לְ.
ס֣וּרוּdepartQal impv 2mp · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Imperative: urgent evacuation orderסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside, depart'; a further, more urgent evacuation command.
נָ֡אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreatyנָא (H4994), softening the urgent command into an earnest plea.
מֵעַל֩away fromprep מִן + prep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (compound: source + separation)מִן + עַל, 'from upon, away from'; a compound preposition intensifying the distance required.
אָהֳלֵ֨יthe tents ofN m pl constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Object of preposition (construct)אֹהֶל (H168) plural construct, 'tents of' — the ringleaders' dwellings, about to become the very site of judgment.
הָאֲנָשִׁ֤יםthe menart + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Genitive (construct completion)אִישׁ (H376) with article.
הָֽרְשָׁעִים֙the wickedart + adj m pl abs · רָשָׁע (H7563)Attributive adjective (modifying 'the men')רָשָׁע (H7563) 'wicked, guilty'; the narrator's/Moses' own explicit moral verdict on Korah's company, stated nowhere else so bluntly in the chapter.
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrativeאֵלֶּה (H428) with article, 'these' — pointing to the specific tents just now surrounded.
וְאַֽלand do notconj וְ + negative particle (volitional) · אַל (H408)Coordinating conjunction + negative particleאַל (H408), volitional negative, introducing a prohibition.
תִּגְּע֖וּtouchQal jussive 2mp · נָגַע (H5060)Predicate verb (negative volitional, main clause)→ Jussive: prohibitionנָגַע (H5060) 'to touch'; the prohibition guards against contagion — proximity to the condemned carries real danger, both ritual and literal (the earth's opening, vv. 31-33).
בְּכָלanything ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial (partitive)כֹּל (H3605) with בְּ, 'in/among all.'
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the possessive clause.
לָהֶ֑םbelongs to themprep + 3mp suffix · לְPredicate complement (possessive)לְ + 3mp suffix, possessive, 'that is theirs.'
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Subordinating conjunction (negative purpose)פֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the danger of contamination by mere association.
תִּסָּפ֖וּyou be swept awayNiphal impf 2mp · סָפָה (H5595)Predicate verb (subordinate clause, passive/result)→ Yiqtol/Niphal: passive, feared consequenceסָפָה (H5595) Niphal 'to be swept away, perish'; the same verb used of Sodom's destruction (Gen 19:15, 17) — an ominous echo of catastrophic judgment.
בְּכָלin allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial (locative/causal)כֹּל (H3605) with בְּ, 'in/because of all.'
חַטֹּאתָֽםtheir sinsN f pl constr + 3mp suffix · חַטָּאת (H2403)Object of prepositionחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin'; the rebels' guilt is treated as something that could contaminate bystanders by mere proximity.
27

וַיֵּעָל֗וּ מֵעַ֧ל מִשְׁכַּן קֹ֛רֶח דָּתָ֥ן וַאֲבִירָ֖ם מִסָּבִ֑יב וְדָתָ֨ן וַאֲבִירָ֜ם יָצְא֣וּ נִצָּבִ֗ים פֶּ֚תַח אָֽהֳלֵיהֶ֔ם וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֥ם וּבְנֵיהֶ֖ם וְטַפָּֽם

So they got away from around the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; but Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, their sons, and their little ones.

Narrative contrast (obedience vs. defiance)asyndeton
The congregation obeys the evacuation order, but Dathan and Abiram respond with open, public defiance — emerging with their entire households, including small children, at the very moment judgment is about to fall.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֵּעָל֗וּand they got awayNiphal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927) Niphal 'to withdraw'; the congregation obeys the command of vv. 24, 26.
מֵעַ֧לaway fromprep מִן + prep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (compound: source + separation)מִן + עַל, 'from upon, away from.'
מִשְׁכַּןdwelling ofN m sg constr · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Object of preposition (construct)מִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling, tent'; the rebels' own encampment.
קֹ֛רֶחKorahproper noun · קֹרַח (H7141)Genitive (construct completion)קֹרַח (H7141).
דָּתָ֥ןDathanproper noun · דָּתָן (H1885)Coordinate genitiveדָּתָן (H1885).
וַאֲבִירָ֖םand Abiramconj וְ + proper noun · אֲבִירָם (H48)Coordinate genitiveאֲבִירָם (H48).
מִסָּבִ֑יבfrom aroundprep מִן + N c sg abs · סָבִיב (H5439)Adverbial (spatial)סָבִיב (H5439) 'surrounding, around'; completing the evacuation ordered in v. 24.
וְדָתָ֨ןand Dathanconj וְ + proper noun · דָּתָן (H1885)Subject (coordinate)דָּתָן (H1885), now the narrative's focus turns from the retreating congregation to the defiant ringleaders.
וַאֲבִירָ֜םand Abiramconj וְ + proper noun · אֲבִירָם (H48)Coordinate subjectאֲבִירָם (H48).
יָצְא֣וּcame outQal perf 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a decisive, defiant actיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Dathan and Abiram emerge in open, brazen defiance rather than retreat, standing publicly at their tent doors.
נִצָּבִ֗יםstandingNiphal ptc m pl · נָצַב (H5324)Predicate participle (describing posture)→ Participle: ongoing, deliberate postureנָצַב (H5324) Niphal 'to stand, take one's stand'; a posture of open defiance, not fear.
פֶּ֚תַחdoor ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Adverbial (locative, construct)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, entrance, door'.
אָֽהֳלֵיהֶ֔םtheir tentsN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive (construct completion)אֹהֶל (H168) + 3mp suffix.
וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֥םand their wivesconj וְ + N f pl constr + 3mp suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Coordinate (accompanying family)אִשָּׁה (H802) + 3mp suffix; entire households stand exposed alongside the ringleaders, heightening the horror of the coming judgment (vv. 27, 32).
וּבְנֵיהֶ֖םand their sonsconj וְ + N m pl constr + 3mp suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinateבֵּן (H1121) + 3mp suffix.
וְטַפָּֽםand their little onesconj וְ + N m sg constr + 3mp suffix · טַף (H2945)Coordinateטַף (H2945) 'little ones, children'; the family's youngest members present too — the moral weight of the coming judgment falling also on non-combatants.
28

וַיֹּאמֶר֮ מֹשֶׁה֒ בְּזֹאת֙ תֵּֽדְע֔וּן כִּֽי יְהוָ֣ה שְׁלָחַ֔נִי לַעֲשׂ֕וֹת אֵ֥ת כָּל הַֽמַּעֲשִׂ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה כִּי לֹ֖א מִלִּבִּֽי

And Moses said, "By this you shall know that YHWH has sent me to do all these works, and that it is not of my own devising:"

Speech (sign announced)asyndeton
Moses stakes his entire authority on a forthcoming, verifiable sign — a bold move that puts God's own credibility on the line alongside his, and sets up the criteria of judgment named in vv. 29-30.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֮and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Moses now stakes his authority on a forthcoming sign.
מֹשֶׁה֒Mosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
בְּזֹאת֙by thisprep בְּ + demonstrative pronoun f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Adverbial (means, fronted)זֹאת (H2063) + בְּ, 'by this'; introduces the sign that will validate Moses' claim of divine commission.
תֵּֽדְע֔וּןyou shall knowQal impf 2mp, paragogic nun · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future, emphatic (paragogic nun)יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; the paragogic nun ending lends solemn emphasis — an unmistakable, undeniable sign is about to come.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (content clause)כִּי (H3588), introducing what will be known.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), whose authorization is the whole point at issue.
שְׁלָחַ֔נִיhas sent meQal perf 3ms + 1cs suffix · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (subordinate content clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive commissioning actשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; the crux of Moses' claim to authority — everything hinges on this being demonstrably true.
לַעֲשׂ֕וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal infin constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct: purposeעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'.
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853).
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הַֽמַּעֲשִׂ֖יםthe worksart + N m pl abs · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Direct objectמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed'; the extraordinary act about to occur (the earth opening) — proof of divine, not human, initiative.
הָאֵ֑לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrativeאֵלֶּה (H428) with article, 'these' works, about to unfold.
כִּיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (resumptive)כִּי (H3588), restating and clarifying the point.
לֹ֖אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particleלֹא (H3808).
מִלִּבִּֽיof my own mindprep מִן + N m sg constr + 1cs suffix · לֵב (H3820)Predicate complement (source, negated)לֵב (H3820) 'heart, mind' + מִן + 1cs suffix; 'not from my own heart/initiative' — Moses disclaims personal invention, staking everything on divine authorization.
29

אִם כְּמ֤וֹת כָּל הָֽאָדָם֙ יְמֻת֣וּן אֵ֔לֶּה וּפְקֻדַּת֙ כָּל הָ֣אָדָ֔ם יִפָּקֵ֖ד עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם לֹ֥א יְהוָ֖ה שְׁלָחָֽנִי

If these men die the common death of all mankind, or if the fate of all mankind is visited upon them, then YHWH has not sent me.

Conditional statement (diagnostic criterion)asyndeton
Moses sets a falsifiable test: ordinary death would disprove his divine commission entirely — a bold theological wager staking God's own reputation on the immediate outcome.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
אִםifconditional conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (protasis marker)אִם (H518), introducing the first half of Moses' diagnostic test.
כְּמ֤וֹתlike the death ofprep כְּ + N m sg constr · מָוֶת (H4194)Adverbial (comparative)מָוֶת (H4194) construct with כְּ, 'like the death of'; ordinary, natural mortality as the point of comparison.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָֽאָדָם֙mankindart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Genitive (construct completion)אָדָם (H120) with article, 'humankind' in general.
יְמֻת֣וּןthey dieQal impf 3mp, paragogic nun · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (conditional clause)→ Yiqtol: characteristic/durative, ordinary mortalityמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the paragogic nun again lends solemnity to the diagnostic test's terms.
אֵ֔לֶּהthesedemonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (demonstrative, referring to Korah's company)אֵלֶּה (H428), pointing to Korah's company as the test subjects.
וּפְקֻדַּת֙and the fate ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · פְּקֻדָּה (H6486)Coordinate subject (construct)פְּקֻדָּה (H6486) 'visitation, appointed lot'; the ordinary destiny apportioned to every human being.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָ֣אָדָ֔םmankindart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Genitive (construct completion)אָדָם (H120) with article.
יִפָּקֵ֖דis visitedNiphal impf 3ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb (conditional clause)→ Yiqtol: characteristic, passiveפָּקַד (H6485) Niphal 'to be visited, appointed, allotted'; the natural common lot of humanity, contrasted with the extraordinary sign about to follow.
עֲלֵיהֶ֑םupon themprep + 3mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (object of visitation)עַל (H5921) + 3mp suffix.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (apodosis)לֹא (H3808), opening the falsifying conclusion.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068).
שְׁלָחָֽנִיhas sent meQal perf 3ms + 1cs suffix · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Perfective: negated, hypotheticalשָׁלַח (H7971); if the rebels merely die a natural death, Moses' claim to divine commission is falsified outright — the stakes could not be higher.
30

וְאִם בְּרִיאָ֞ה יִבְרָ֣א יְהוָ֗ה וּפָצְתָ֨ה הָאֲדָמָ֤ה אֶת פִּ֨יהָ֙ וּבָלְעָ֤ה אֹתָם֙ וְאֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָהֶ֔ם וְיָרְד֥וּ חַיִּ֖ים שְׁאֹ֑לָה וִֽידַעְתֶּ֕ם כִּ֧י נִֽאֲצ֛וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה אֶת יְהוָֽה

But if YHWH creates something entirely new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have spurned YHWH.

Conditional statement (the sign specified) — crux verseasyndeton
The hapax בְּרִיאָה ('a new creation') is the theological center of the chapter: Moses stakes everything on YHWH doing something never done before — the earth becoming an agent of judgment, swallowing the rebels alive into Sheol. The vocabulary deliberately echoes Genesis 1, framing the ordeal as cosmic in scale.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conditional conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (protasis marker, contrastive)אִם (H518) with וְ, contrasting with the previous condition (v. 29) — introducing the alternative, extraordinary possibility.
בְּרִיאָ֞הa new creationN f sg abs · בְּרִיאָה (H1278)Direct object (fronted for emphasis)בְּרִיאָה (H1278), a hapax legomenon from בָּרָא 'to create' — literally 'a creation, a created thing.' Something utterly unprecedented, a fresh act of creation itself, not merely an unusual event; the word deliberately echoes Genesis 1's vocabulary of origination, pitching the coming sign at the highest possible theological register.
יִבְרָ֣אcreatesQal impf 3ms · בָּרָא (H1254)Predicate verb (conditional clause)→ Yiqtol: future, hypothetical — decisive divine actionבָּרָא (H1254) 'to create'; in the Qal always with God as sole subject (as in Gen 1:1), reserved exclusively for divine, effortless origination — never a human subject.
יְהוָ֗הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the sole subject capable of בָּרָא.
וּפָצְתָ֨הand opensQal weqatal 3fs · פָּצָה (H6475)Predicate verb (coordinate, result clause)→ Weqatal: continuing the hypothetical sequence, describing the 'new creation'פָּצָה (H6475) 'to open wide (the mouth)'; a vivid, almost grotesque personification of the earth as a devouring mouth.
הָאֲדָמָ֤הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Subjectאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, earth, soil'; the very substance from which Adam was formed (Gen 2:7) now becomes an instrument of judgment and death — a stark reversal.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853).
פִּ֨יהָ֙its mouthN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · פֶּה (H6310)Direct objectפֶּה (H6310) + 3fs suffix, 'its mouth' — the personified ground given a mouth to swallow.
וּבָלְעָ֤הand swallowsQal weqatal 3fs · בָּלַע (H1104)Predicate verb (coordinate, result clause)→ Weqatal: continuing sequenceבָּלַע (H1104) 'to swallow'; the act of the new creation — total, instantaneous consumption.
אֹתָם֙[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) + 3mp suffix, referring to Korah's company.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conjunction + direct-object markerאֵת (H853), extending the swallowing to everything belonging to them.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834).
לָהֶ֔םbelongs to themprep + 3mp suffix · לְPredicate complement (possessive)לְ + 3mp suffix, 'that is theirs' — households, tents, possessions, all consumed.
וְיָרְד֥וּand they go downQal weqatal 3cp · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (coordinate, result clause)→ Weqatal: continuing sequence, describing the outcomeיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; the fate about to befall the rebels — descent, in dramatic contrast to their earlier bid for self-exaltation (v. 3's תִּתְנַשְּׂאוּ).
חַיִּ֖יםaliveadj m pl abs · חַי (H2416)Adverbial (manner, predicate adjective)חַי (H2416) 'living, alive'; the horrifying detail — swallowed while still fully conscious and living, not after death.
שְׁאֹ֑לָהto SheolN + directional ה suffix · שְׁאוֹל (H7585)Adverbial (directional)שְׁאוֹל (H7585) 'Sheol', the realm of the dead, with directional ה, 'to/into Sheol'; here uniquely entered ALIVE — an unprecedented, terrifying fate matching the unprecedented 'new creation' that causes it.
וִֽידַעְתֶּ֕םand you shall knowQal weqatal 2mp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential, the sign's intended effectיָדַע (H3045); repeats the diagnostic verb of vv. 28-29 — the sign, once given, removes all ambiguity about Moses' commission.
כִּ֧יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (content clause)כִּי (H3588), introducing the theological verdict.
נִֽאֲצ֛וּhave despisedPiel perf 3cp · נָאַץ (H5006)Predicate verb (content clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of contempt, now vindicated as factנָאַץ (H5006) Piel 'to spurn, treat with contempt'; the theological verdict — their rebellion was, at root, contempt for YHWH himself, not merely a leadership dispute.
הָאֲנָשִׁ֥יםthe menart + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subjectאִישׁ (H376) with article.
הָאֵ֖לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrativeאֵלֶּה (H428) with article, 'these men.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking YHWH as the object of their contempt.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct objectיְהוָה (H3068); the ultimate object of the rebels' contempt, now named plainly.
31

וַיְהִי֙ כְּכַלֹּת֔וֹ לְדַבֵּ֕ר אֵ֥ת כָּל הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַתִּבָּקַ֥ע הָאֲדָמָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּחְתֵּיהֶֽם

And as soon as he finished speaking all these words, the ground beneath them split apart.

Narrative fulfillment (the sign begins)asyndeton
The earth splits at the exact instant Moses stops speaking — underscoring the immediacy and precision of divine confirmation, with no gap left for doubt or delay.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיְהִי֙and it came to passQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative marker)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, marking a decisive turning pointהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; the classic narrative formula introducing the climactic event.
כְּכַלֹּת֔וֹas he finishedprep כְּ + Piel infin constr + 3ms suffix · כָּלָה (H3615)Temporal clause (subordinate)→ Infinitive construct: temporal, marking precise timingכָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'to finish, complete' + 3ms suffix; the earth splits at the exact moment Moses stops speaking — no delay, no ambiguity.
לְדַבֵּ֕רto speakprep לְ + Piel infin constr · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Complementary infinitive→ Infinitive constructדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'.
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853).
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הַדְּבָרִ֖יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct objectדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; referring to the entire preceding speech of vv. 28-30.
הָאֵ֑לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrativeאֵלֶּה (H428) with article.
וַתִּבָּקַ֥עand it splitNiphal wayyiqtol 3fs · בָּקַע (H1234)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative climax)→ Wayyiqtol: sudden, decisive eventבָּקַע (H1234) Niphal 'to be split, cleave'; the fulfillment of the sign — the ground itself becomes an instrument of judgment, the promised 'new creation' of v. 30.
הָאֲדָמָ֖הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Subjectאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground'.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834).
תַּחְתֵּיהֶֽםunder themprep + 3mp suffix · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial (locative)תַּחַת (H8478) + 3mp suffix, 'under them'; precisely beneath the rebels' feet, sparing everyone else present.
32

וַתִּפְתַּ֤ח הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ אֶת פִּ֔יהָ וַתִּבְלַ֥ע אֹתָ֖ם וְאֶת בָּתֵּיהֶ֑ם וְאֵ֤ת כָּל הָאָדָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְקֹ֔רַח וְאֵ֖ת כָּל הָרֲכֽוּשׁ

The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, along with their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah, and all their goods.

Narrative fulfillment (judgment executed)asyndeton
The judgment's totality is emphasized through relentless repetition of 'all' — households, followers, and property all consumed together; the earth's action fulfills v. 30's prediction almost word for word.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַתִּפְתַּ֤חand it openedQal wayyiqtol 3fs · פָּתַח (H6605)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceפָּתַח (H6605) 'to open'; distinct verb from פָּצָה of v. 30 but parallel in sense — the ground's mouth opens as promised.
הָאָ֨רֶץ֙the earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subjectאֶרֶץ (H776) with article; the wider term for 'earth/land', paired here with אֲדָמָה of v. 31 for the same phenomenon.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853).
פִּ֔יהָits mouthN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · פֶּה (H6310)Direct objectפֶּה (H6310) + 3fs suffix.
וַתִּבְלַ֥עand it swallowedQal wayyiqtol 3fs · בָּלַע (H1104)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceבָּלַע (H1104); the sign fulfilled in narrative fact, echoing the conditional description of v. 30 almost verbatim.
אֹתָ֖ם[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) + 3mp suffix, referring to Korah's company.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conjunction + direct-object markerאֵת (H853), extending the destruction to their households.
בָּתֵּיהֶ֑םtheir householdsN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Coordinate direct objectבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; entire family units, tents and all, consumed.
וְאֵ֤תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conjunction + direct-object markerאֵת (H853), extending the destruction further, to every person aligned with Korah.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָאָדָם֙the menart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Coordinate direct objectאָדָם (H120) with article; every person, not merely the ringleaders.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834).
לְקֹ֔רַחbelonged to Korahprep לְ + proper noun · קֹרַח (H7141)Predicate complement (possessive, relative clause)קֹרַח (H7141) + לְ; specifically Korah's own followers, distinguished from the wider congregation already withdrawn to safety.
וְאֵ֖תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conjunction + direct-object markerאֵת (H853), extending the destruction to all their material possessions.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָרֲכֽוּשׁthe goodsart + N m sg abs · רְכוּשׁ (H7399)Coordinate direct objectרְכוּשׁ (H7399) 'property, possessions'; total material loss accompanying the human catastrophe — nothing of Korah's household or estate survives.
33

וַיֵּ֨רְד֜וּ הֵ֣ם וְכָל אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָהֶ֛ם חַיִּ֖ים שְׁאֹ֑לָה וַתְּכַ֤ס עֲלֵיהֶם֙ הָאָ֔רֶץ וַיֹּאבְד֖וּ מִתּ֥וֹךְ הַקָּהָֽל

So they, and all that belonged to them, went down alive into Sheol; the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly.

Narrative fulfillment (judgment sealed)asyndeton
The earth's closing seals the judgment permanently; the final phrase, 'from the midst of the assembly (קָהָל),' pointedly reuses the very term Korah claimed for legitimacy in v. 3 — he is erased from the very body he claimed to represent.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֵּ֨רְד֜וּand they went downQal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceיָרַד (H3381); the narrative confirms the sign of v. 30 word for word.
הֵ֣םtheyindependent pronoun 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject (emphatic, independent pronoun)הֵם (H1992), emphatic independent pronoun resuming the subject.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834).
לָהֶ֛םbelonged to themprep + 3mp suffix · לְPredicate complement (possessive)לְ + 3mp suffix, 'that was theirs.'
חַיִּ֖יםaliveadj m pl abs · חַי (H2416)Adverbial (manner)חַי (H2416) 'living'; the sign's most terrible detail confirmed.
שְׁאֹ֑לָהto SheolN + directional ה suffix · שְׁאוֹל (H7585)Adverbial (directional)שְׁאוֹל (H7585) with directional ה; confirming v. 30's prediction exactly.
וַתְּכַ֤סand it coveredPiel wayyiqtol 3fs · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceכָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover'; the closing of the earth seals the judgment, erasing all trace of the rebels.
עֲלֵיהֶם֙over themprep + 3mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (locative)עַל (H5921) + 3mp suffix.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subjectאֶרֶץ (H776) with article.
וַיֹּאבְד֖וּand they perishedQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָבַד (H6)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, final verdictאָבַד (H6) 'to perish, be destroyed'; the final word on Korah's company — total, irreversible loss.
מִתּ֥וֹךְfrom the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial (source)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) construct with מִן, 'from the midst of.'
הַקָּהָֽלthe assemblyart + N m sg abs · קָהָל (H6951)Object of prepositionקָהָל (H6951) with article; the term Korah invoked in v. 3 to claim solidarity now marks the very community from which he and his company are permanently erased.
34

וְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֛ר סְבִיבֹתֵיהֶ֖ם נָ֣סוּ לְקֹלָ֑ם כִּ֣י אָֽמְר֔וּ פֶּן תִּבְלָעֵ֖נוּ הָאָֽרֶץ

And all Israel who were around them fled at their outcry, for they said, "Lest the earth swallow us too!"

Narrative reaction (fear spreads)asyndeton
Panic spreads through the wider nation — the sign intended to vindicate Moses' authority also triggers sheer terror, a foretaste of the further crisis in vv. 41-49 when the people again turn against Moses and Aaron.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject (construct completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the wider nation, now the focus after the rebels' destruction.
אֲשֶׁ֛רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834).
סְבִיבֹתֵיהֶ֖םaround themN c pl constr + 3mp suffix · סָבִיב (H5439)Adverbial (locative, predicate of relative clause)סָבִיב (H5439) + 3mp suffix, 'around them' — the bystanders positioned near the epicenter of the catastrophe.
נָ֣סוּfledQal perf 3cp · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a sudden, decisive flightנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; sheer terror overtakes the wider nation at the sound of the catastrophe.
לְקֹלָ֑םat their cryprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3mp suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Adverbial (causal)קוֹל (H6963) + 3mp suffix; 'at their voice/sound' — the shrieking of the doomed as they were swallowed, or the roar of the splitting earth.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (causal)כִּי (H3588), introducing the people's own explanation for their flight.
אָֽמְר֔וּthey saidQal perf 3cp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (subordinate, introduces reported speech)→ Perfective: a completed statementאָמַר (H559).
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Subordinating conjunction (feared result)פֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; the fleeing Israelites voice a fear of further contagion from the same judgment.
תִּבְלָעֵ֖נוּit swallow usQal impf 3fs + 1cp suffix · בָּלַע (H1104)Predicate verb (subordinate, feared result)→ Yiqtol: feared future contingencyבָּלַע (H1104); the fleeing Israelites fear becoming further victims of the same 'new creation' — contagion anxiety spreading through the whole camp.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subjectאֶרֶץ (H776) with article; the same ground that swallowed Korah's company now feared by all.
35

וְאֵ֥שׁ יָצְאָ֖ה מֵאֵ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה וַתֹּ֗אכַל אֵ֣ת הַחֲמִשִּׁ֤ים וּמָאתַ֨יִם֙ אִ֔ישׁ מַקְרִיבֵ֖י הַקְּטֹֽרֶת

And fire came out from YHWH and consumed the 250 men who were offering incense.

Narrative conclusion (second judgment)asyndeton
The MT chapter closes here with a second, distinct instrument of judgment — fire, echoing Lev 10:2's fire against Nadab and Abihu — consuming the 250 who presumed to offer incense, the very peril named at the ordeal's outset (v. 7). The aftermath (Aaron's censer stopping the plague, the 14,700 dead) follows in MT ch. 17, corresponding to English 16:36-50.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאֵ֥שׁand fireconj וְ + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Coordinate subjectאֵשׁ (H784); a second, distinct instrument of judgment for the 250 incense-offerers, complementing the earth's swallowing of Korah's household.
יָצְאָ֖הcame outQal perf 3fs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a decisive, sudden actיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the same verb as Lev 10:2's fire that consumed Nadab and Abihu — a deliberate intertextual echo of priestly presumption punished.
מֵאֵ֣תfromprep מִן + prep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (source)מִן + אֵת (H854), 'from with' — the fire's direct divine origin.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of prepositionיְהוָה (H3068), the direct source of the consuming fire.
וַתֹּ֗אכַלand it consumedQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative climaxאָכַל (H398) 'to eat, consume'; the fire devours precisely those who had unlawfully offered incense (vv. 17-18), fulfilling the peril named at the ordeal's outset (v. 7).
אֵ֣ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853).
הַחֲמִשִּׁ֤יםthe fiftyart + cardinal number c pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Numeral (first element, direct object)חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) with article; specifying the total count now consumed.
וּמָאתַ֨יִם֙and two hundredconj וְ + cardinal number c dual abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral (second element)מָאתַיִם (H3967), dual of מֵאָה; with חֲמִשִּׁים, the full count of 250 first introduced in v. 2 — now all dead.
אִ֔ישׁmenN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Apposition (specifying the numeral)אִישׁ (H376) 'men'; closing the count of 250 first introduced in v. 2.
מַקְרִיבֵ֖יwho were offeringHiphil ptc m pl constr · קָרַב (H7126)Attributive participle (construct, modifying 'men')→ Participle: characterizing the guilty actקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil active participle construct, 'the ones bringing near/offering'; the very verb of legitimate priestly access (vv. 5, 9, 10) now names their presumptuous — and fatal — imitation of it.
הַקְּטֹֽרֶתthe incenseart + N f sg abs · קְטֹרֶת (H7004)Direct object (of the participle)קְטֹרֶת (H7004) with article; the sacred substance whose unauthorized offering brings final judgment, closing the chapter's central symbol.