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Numbers 16:30 - Divine justice manifests miraculously.

Numbers 16:30 - במדבר 16:30

Hebrew Text

וְאִם־בְּרִיאָה יִבְרָא יְהוָה וּפָצְתָה הָאֲדָמָה אֶת־פִּיהָ וּבָלְעָה אֹתָם וְאֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם וְיָרְדוּ חַיִּים שְׁאֹלָה וִידַעְתֶּם כִּי נִאֲצוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים הָאֵלֶּה אֶת־יְהוָה׃

English Translation

But if the Lord creates a new thing, and the earth opens her mouth, and swallows them up, with all that appertain to them, and they go down alive into She᾽ol; then you shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord.

Transliteration

Ve'im-bri'a yivra Adonai ufatsta ha'adama et-piha uval'ah otam ve'et-kol-asher lahem veyardu chayim she'ola viyeda'tem ki ni'atzu ha'anashim ha'eleh et-Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִם־בְּרִיאָ֞ה יִבְרָ֣א יְהֹוָ֗ה וּפָצְתָ֨ה הָאֲדָמָ֤ה אֶת־פִּ֙יהָ֙ וּבָלְעָ֤ה אֹתָם֙ וְאֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָהֶ֔ם וְיָרְד֥וּ חַיִּ֖ים שְׁאֹ֑לָה וִֽידַעְתֶּ֕ם כִּ֧י נִֽאֲצ֛וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה׃
וְאִם־בְּרִיאָ֞ה יִבְרָ֣א יְהֹוָ֗ה וּפָצְתָ֨ה הָאֲדָמָ֤ה אֶת־פִּ֙יהָ֙ וּבָלְעָ֤ה אֹתָם֙ וְאֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָהֶ֔ם וְיָרְד֥וּ חַיִּ֖ים שְׁאֹ֑לָה וִֽידַעְתֶּ֕ם כִּ֧י נִֽאֲצ֛וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bamidbar 16:30) is part of the narrative of Korach's rebellion against Moshe and Aharon. Korach, along with Datan, Aviram, and 250 leaders of the community, challenged Moshe's authority and the divine selection of Aharon as Kohen Gadol. Moshe responds by declaring that if Hashem performs a miraculous act—causing the earth to open and swallow the rebels—it will be a clear sign of their sin.

Interpretation of "If the Lord Creates a New Thing"

Rashi explains that the term "יִבְרָא" (creates) implies a unique act of creation, something unprecedented. The earth opening its mouth to swallow the rebels was not a natural phenomenon but a miraculous intervention by Hashem. Ramban adds that this was a deliberate display of divine justice, demonstrating that Korach's rebellion was not merely a political dispute but a rejection of Hashem's will.

The Earth as an Instrument of Divine Justice

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 18:10) notes that the earth was chosen as the means of punishment because Korach and his followers sinned with their mouths—through speech and rebellion—and thus were punished through the "mouth" of the earth. This reflects the principle of מידה כנגד מידה (measure for measure), a recurring theme in divine retribution.

Descent Alive into Sheol

The phrase "וְיָרְדוּ חַיִּים שְׁאֹלָה" (they go down alive into Sheol) is interpreted by the Talmud (Sanhedrin 110a) as a punishment where the rebels were not only swallowed physically but also spiritually condemned. The term "Sheol" here signifies complete destruction, both in this world and the next, as their rebellion severed their connection to the divine.

Recognition of Their Sin

Moshe concludes by stating that this miracle would prove "כִּי נִאֲצוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים הָאֵלֶּה אֶת־יְהוָה" (that these men have provoked the Lord). The Malbim explains that the public nature of the miracle was necessary to prevent further dissent and to affirm Moshe and Aharon's divine appointment. The severity of the punishment underscored the gravity of challenging Torah authority.

Key Lessons from the Verse

  • Divine Justice: Hashem's intervention was a clear demonstration of justice, ensuring that rebellion against Torah leadership is treated with utmost seriousness.
  • Miracles as Signs: The unprecedented nature of the miracle served as an indisputable sign of Korach's wrongdoing.
  • Consequences of Disunity: The episode warns against machloket (dispute) that undermines communal harmony and divine order.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 110a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the punishment of Korach and his followers, illustrating the divine intervention where the earth opened its mouth to swallow them as a sign of their rebellion against God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 16:30 mean?
A: Numbers 16:30 describes a miraculous punishment that would occur if Korach and his followers were truly rebelling against Hashem. The verse states that if the earth were to open its mouth and swallow them alive, it would be a clear sign that they had sinned grievously. Rashi explains that this would be a 'new creation' (בְּרִיאָה יִבְרָא) because normally the earth doesn't swallow people alive - this would be an unprecedented miracle to demonstrate divine judgment.
Q: Why is the earth opening its mouth significant in this verse?
A: The imagery of the earth opening its mouth is significant because it shows that nature itself would act as an instrument of divine justice. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 18:10) explains that just as the mouth speaks, the earth 'speaks' by performing this miracle to testify against Korach's rebellion. This demonstrates that their sin was so severe that even the natural world would react in an unnatural way.
Q: What can we learn from Numbers 16:30 about challenging leadership?
A: This verse teaches the serious consequences of improperly challenging divinely appointed leadership. The Rambam (Hilchos Sanhedrin) derives from this incident that rebellion against Torah leadership is a grave sin. However, the Talmud (Sanhedrin 110a) notes that legitimate disputes for the sake of heaven (like those of Hillel and Shammai) are different - Korach's rebellion was motivated by personal ambition, not truth.
Q: How does the concept of 'Sheol' in this verse relate to Jewish belief?
A: In this context, 'Sheol' refers to the grave or underworld where the rebels would descend alive. Jewish tradition (as explained by Ibn Ezra) understands this as a supernatural punishment where they would be buried alive in the earth. It's important to note that Jewish belief doesn't view Sheol as hellfire (that's a Christian concept) - rather it's often used in Tanach to mean the grave or place where souls go after death.
Q: Why does the verse say 'you shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord'?
A: This phrase teaches that the miracle would serve as an unmistakable divine sign. As the Sforno explains, such an unprecedented event (the earth swallowing people alive) would remove all doubt that Korach's rebellion was against Hashem's will. The Talmud (Bava Basra 74a) also notes that this incident became a lasting lesson about the dangers of machlokes (dispute not for heaven's sake).