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Hebrew Text
וַאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה לְדָתָן וְלַאֲבִירָם בְּנֵי אֱלִיאָב בֶּן־רְאוּבֵן אֲשֶׁר פָּצְתָה הָאָרֶץ אֶת־פִּיהָ וַתִּבְלָעֵם וְאֶת־בָּתֵּיהֶם וְאֶת־אָהֳלֵיהֶם וְאֵת כָּל־הַיְקוּם אֲשֶׁר בְּרַגְלֵיהֶם בְּקֶרֶב כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל׃
English Translation
and what he did to Datan and Aviram, the sons of Eli᾽av, the son of Re᾽uven: how the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all the living substance that followed them, in the midst of all Yisra᾽el:
Transliteration
Va'asher asah le'Datan ve'la'Aviram bnei Eli'av ben-Re'uven asher patztah ha'aretz et-piha vativla'em ve'et-bateihem ve'et-ohaleihem ve'et kol-hayekum asher be'ragleihem bekerev kol-Yisrael.
Hebrew Leining Text
וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֜ה לְדָתָ֣ן וְלַאֲבִירָ֗ם בְּנֵ֣י אֱלִיאָב֮ בֶּן־רְאוּבֵן֒ אֲשֶׁ֨ר פָּצְתָ֤ה הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ אֶת־פִּ֔יהָ וַתִּבְלָעֵ֥ם וְאֶת־בָּתֵּיהֶ֖ם וְאֶת־אׇהֳלֵיהֶ֑ם וְאֵ֤ת כׇּל־הַיְקוּם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּרַגְלֵיהֶ֔ם בְּקֶ֖רֶב כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
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Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Sanhedrin 110a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the rebellion of Korach and his followers, including Datan and Aviram, and the divine punishment they received.
📖 Sotah 9b
The verse is mentioned in the context of discussing the consequences of strife and discord among the Jewish people, using the example of Datan and Aviram's fate.
The Punishment of Datan and Aviram
The verse recounts the divine punishment of Datan and Aviram, who rebelled against Moshe and Aharon during Korach's uprising (Bamidbar 16:1-35). Their fate serves as a stark warning against machloket (dispute) and challenging Torah leadership. Rashi (Bamidbar 16:1) explains that Datan and Aviram were already known troublemakers from Mitzrayim, demonstrating persistent resistance to authority.
The Earth's Swallowing as a Unique Punishment
The Midrash (Tanchuma Korach 5) teaches that the earth opening its mouth was a miraculous act, demonstrating Hashem's direct intervention. Rambam (Hilchos Teshuvah 8:1) cites this event as proof of reward and punishment, showing that supernatural consequences follow severe sins. The Sifrei (Devarim 11:6) emphasizes that this punishment occurred "in the midst of all Israel" to serve as a visible lesson for future generations.
Inclusion of Households and Possessions
The verse details how their households, tents, and all possessions were swallowed. Rashi (Bamidbar 16:32) notes this teaches that their families were complicit in their rebellion. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 110a) derives from "all the living substance that followed them" that even their disputed property was swallowed, showing the totality of their eradication.
Connection to Reuven's Descendants
By mentioning their lineage as "sons of Eli᾽av, the son of Re᾽uven," the Torah may hint at a deeper cause. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 18:5) suggests their rebellion stemmed from resentment over Reuven's lost birthright, showing how ancestral grievances can lead to destructive behavior if not properly addressed.