The Wives of Dathan and Abiram

Moses had his hands full with people questioning his authority and presuming themselves to be superior. In Numbers 16 he’s approached by Korah, a Levite, and Dathan and Abiram, Reubenites. They brought alongside them in their rebellion two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation.

In Numbers 16:3, the rebellious crowd said to Moses and his brother Aaron, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?” (ESV)

What gall to speak that way to God’s appointed leader! Moses addressed Korah and the other Levites, then he went to Dathan and Abiram that he might reason with them as well, but they refused to speak to him, blaming him for taking them from Egypt and not delivering on his promise to take them to a land full of milk and honey.

This angered Moses. He dealt first with Korah and the Levites, then he went back to Dathan and Abiram with the elders of Israel following him. He told the congregation to get away from the tents of Dathan and Abiram so they wouldn’t be consumed by their sins. Everyone fled, then the two men, their wives, and their children came and stood in the door of their tent.

Moses declared that if he was not God’s leader than nothing would happen to the men. But if the earth opened it’s mouth and swallowed them up along with their wives and children, then they would know these men rejected God.

And just like that, the earth opened and swallowed them up.

We all have a time of reckoning. Will you stand for God or against Him?

Read about Dathan’s and Abiram’s wives in Scripture: Numbers 16