Dathan

Biblical Account

Dathan was a member of the tribe of Reuben and the son of Eliab, who was the son of Pallu, the son of Reuben. Dathan's brothers are recorded as Nemuel and Abiram (Numbers 26:5-9).

During the wilderness period following the Exodus, Dathan formed a faction with the Levite Korah, his brother Abiram, and On the son of Peleth. They were joined by 250 leaders of the congregation of Israel, and together they rose up against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:1-3).

When Moses sent for them, Dathan and Abiram refused, saying, "We will not come up." They went on to accuse Moses of having brought them up "out of a land that floweth with milk and honey" to kill them in the wilderness, and of seeking to make himself a prince over them (Numbers 16:12-14). The land they spoke of was not Canaan, the Promised Land, but Egypt.

Moses went to them with the elders of Israel and told the congregation to move away from around their tents. Dathan and Abiram stood at the doors of their tents with their wives, their sons, and their little children (Numbers 16:25-27). Moses declared that if the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, the people would understand that these men had provoked the LORD. The ground then split apart and swallowed them, their households, and their goods, and they went down alive into the pit (the realm of the dead; Hebrew Sheol) (Numbers 16:28-33). The 250 men who had offered incense were consumed by fire that came out from the LORD (Numbers 16:35).

Significance Within Scripture

Numbers 26:9-11 describes Dathan and Abiram as men "famous in the congregation" (literally, "called" from the congregation). It records that they joined the company of Korah and strove against the LORD, and that the event became a sign of warning to Israel. The same passage adds that the sons of Korah did not die at that time.

In Deuteronomy 11:6, Moses refers to this event again as he reminds the people of the works of the LORD. Psalm 106:17 recounts it as one of Israel's several rebellions in the wilderness. Both passages name only Dathan and Abiram, without mentioning Korah.

Dathan's name does not appear in the New Testament. However, Jude 1:11 refers to the whole incident with the phrase "the gainsaying of Core."

Interpretation and Issues

• Nature of the rebellion: Korah's grievance concerned the priesthood (Numbers 16:10), whereas Dathan and Abiram's grievance was directed at Moses' leadership. On the basis of this difference and of the references in Deuteronomy and Psalms, many historical-critical scholars hold that Numbers 16 combines two distinct traditions. Conservative evangelical scholars read it as a single coalition revolt launched by men with differing grievances.
• Motive: Reuben was Jacob's firstborn but lost his birthright (1 Chronicles 5:1). In addition, both the camp of Reuben and the Kohathites encamped on the south side of the tabernacle (Numbers 2:10; 3:29). Some commentators cite these two facts to explain the background of the rebellion. This, however, is inference, not a motive stated in the text.
• Destruction of the families: The households of Dathan and Abiram were swallowed along with them. By contrast, the sons of Korah survived (Numbers 26:11), so the incident is discussed in connection with the communal consequences of sin and the question of individual responsibility.
• Later traditions: Some strands of Jewish rabbinic tradition are reported to identify Dathan and Abiram with the two Hebrews who were striving together in Exodus 2:13. The biblical text does not say this.

In the Korean Church

In the Korean church, Dathan is rarely treated on his own; he is usually mentioned within passages on "Korah's rebellion." In preaching, the account is frequently used to address themes such as challenges to leaders appointed by God, murmuring and complaining, and the effects of sin on the community.

At the same time, voices within the church caution against using this passage as grounds for silencing criticism of church leaders. Their reasoning is that the case of Moses was a unique one in which God Himself rendered judgment.