Cecily Zamora
Korach is a Levite who rebelled against Moses and Aaron's leadership, questioning their authority and the origin of the Torah. Korach and his followers were killed for their actions. Korach's rebellion is discussed in Numbers 16:1–3, and is juxtaposed with the law of tzitzit in Numbers 15:37–40. Interpreters have suggested that this juxtaposition hints at how Korach was able to enlist his followers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Korach's rebellion | Korach and his followers rebelled against Moses' and Aaron's leadership |
| Korach and 200 men asked why the law of tassels had been imposed on them | |
| Korach and his followers were killed | |
| Korach envied Moses' dignity and honour | |
| Korach thought he deserved honour because of his great riches | |
| Korach was a persuasive speaker | |
| Korach was an Israelite of principal account, both by family and wealth | |
| Korach and his followers combined against Moses and Aaron, saying "You've gone too far. Why do you raise yourself up above us?" |
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What You'll Learn
Korach and his followers rebelled against Moses and Aaron's leadership
Korach and his followers were challenging Moses' authority, which was given to him by God. They were also questioning the divine origin of the Torah and the authority of Aaron as high priest. This was a serious rebellion, as Korach was an Israelite of principal account, both by family and wealth, and he was a persuasive speaker. He was also motivated by envy of Moses' dignity and honour, as they were from the same tribe.
The rebellion is juxtaposed with the law of tzitzit in Numbers 15:37-40, which commands the wearing of blue tassels. Korach and his followers rebelled against this law, asking why it had been imposed on them. The Jerusalem Talmud tells that Korach made some garments that were completely dyed blue and asked Moses whether they still needed to have a blue corner tassel. This was a way of questioning Moses' authority and the divine origin of the Torah.
The name Dathan in Numbers 16:1 is derived from the same Hebrew root as the word "law", and so the Gemara deduced that he violated God's law.
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Korach questioned the law of tassels
Korach, a Levite, rebelled against Moses and Aaron's leadership, questioning the law of tassels. Korach and his followers, which included 250 community leaders and 200 men, asked why an 'unbearable' law had been imposed on them.
The law of tassels, or tzitzit, is a commandment to wear blue tassels. Korach questioned the law by making some garments that were completely dyed blue, and then asking Moses whether a garment that was already completely blue nonetheless had to have a blue corner tassel. Moses answered that it did, and Korach responded by saying that the Torah was not of Divine origin, Moses was not a prophet, and Aaron was not a high priest.
Korach's rebellion is juxtaposed with the law of tzitzit in Numbers 15:37–40, which has been interpreted as a hint as to how Korach was able to enlist his followers. It is also thought that the name Dathan in Numbers 16:1, which is derived from the same Hebrew root as the word 'law', indicates that he violated God's law.
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Korach's rebellion was against God
Korach's rebellion is seen as a violation of God's law. Early interpreters noted the juxtaposition of the law of tzitzit in Numbers 15:37–40 with the story of Korah's rebellion in Numbers 16:1–3, suggesting a connection between the two. The name "Dathan" in Numbers 16:1 is also derived from the Hebrew word for "law", further indicating that Korah's rebellion was against God's law.
In response to Korach's rebellion, Moses fell on his face and said, "Come morning, God will make known who God is and who is holy." God then punished Korach and his followers, killing them for their rebellion.
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Korach's rebellion was against Moses' leadership
Korach was an Israelite of principal account, both by family and wealth. He was a persuasive speaker and envied Moses' dignity. He thought that he better deserved honour on account of his great riches. Korach and his followers rebelled against Moses' leadership by asking why an unbearable law had been imposed on them. This law was the commandment to wear blue tassels, or tzitzit. After hearing the law, Korach made some garments that were completely dyed blue and went to Moses to ask whether a garment that was already completely blue nonetheless had to have a blue corner tassel. When Moses answered that it did, Korach said that the Torah was not of Divine origin, Moses was not a prophet, and Aaron was not a high priest.
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Korach's rebellion was against Aaron's leadership
Korach's rebellion was not only against Aaron's leadership but also against Moses' leadership and the laws that Moses had set out. Korach and his followers questioned the law of tassels, or tzitzit, which God had commanded Moses to enforce. Korach asked Moses whether a garment that was already completely blue still had to have a blue corner tassel. When Moses answered that it did, Korach said that the Torah was not of Divine origin, Moses was not a prophet, and Aaron was not a high priest.
Korach's rebellion was also motivated by envy. Josephus wrote that Korach was an Israelite of principal account, both by family and wealth, who was able to speak well and could easily persuade people. Korach envied the great dignity of Moses, as he was of the same tribe, and he thought he better deserved honour on account of his great riches.
Korach's rebellion was ultimately unsuccessful, and he and his followers were killed. God instructed Aaron regarding the laws of the priesthood, and Moses fell on his face, saying to Korach and his followers: "Come morning, God will make known who God is and who is holy."
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Frequently asked questions
Korach and his followers rebelled against Moses and Aaron's leadership, questioning their authority.
Korach said that the Torah was not of Divine origin, Moses was not a prophet, and Aaron was not a high priest.
Korach's followers asked why an unbearable law had been imposed on them.
Korach and his followers were killed.
