Psalm 106:17

Psalm 106:17, in plain English

As a result of this rebellion, the earth literally split open and swallowed up Dathan, burying him and his entire family.

Why it's here

God's judgment comes in the form of an act of creation itself turning against the rebels—the earth opens and consumes them. Dathan was a ringleader of the rebellion against Moses and Aaron. This isn't metaphorical; it's described as actually happening. The psalmist is emphasizing that God doesn't negotiate with those who reject His appointed leaders and structure.

Who's speaking

The psalmist, recounting God's judgment

Where it sits in the story

Numbers 16 describes Korah and his associates rebelling against Moses and Aaron's priestly authority. God's response—the ground opening and swallowing them—was meant to settle forever the question of who He had chosen for leadership.

The scholarly reading

God's judgment against the conspirators was catastrophic: the earth literally opened and consumed Dathan and his assembly—a sign-act demonstrating that opposition to God's chosen instruments invites cosmic reversal.

Language and setting

The earth 'opening' (va-tifte'h) is reminiscent of cosmological judgment language—the reversal of creation order itself. Numbers 16:31-32 records that 'the ground under them split apart, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them.' The Rabbinical tradition (Mishnah Pirkei Avot 5:8) identifies this as one of ten miracles performed for Israel in the wilderness—divine intervention manifesting as judgment. This is not punishment by human hands but cosmological reassertion of divine order.

Voice

The psalmist narrating divine retribution as part of Israel's history.

Significance

This judgment prefigures apocalyptic reversal—creation itself enforcing God's will—and is echoed in Revelation 6:12-17 where cosmic upheaval accompanies divine judgment.

15So He granted their request, but sent a wasting disease upon them.

16In the camp they envied Moses, as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD.

17The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it covered the assembly of Abiram.

18Then fire blazed through their company; flames consumed the wicked.

19At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped a molten image.

Read all of Psalm 106 — The other side of Psalm 105. Israel's history retold through the lens of rebellion — yet God saved them again and again for His name's sake.