OliveGrove
Pressing the Word of God for Deeper Understanding.

Korah קֹ֫רַח

Male Tribe of Levi H7141I 6 books

Levite rebel leader; his descendants became temple servants

Who is Korah in the Bible?

Korah was a Levite from the Kohathite clan who led a major rebellion against Moses and Aaron during Israel's wilderness journey (Numbers 16). Along with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 community leaders, Korah challenged Moses and Aaron's authority, claiming they had elevated themselves above the congregation. When Korah and his followers presented unauthorized incense offerings, the Lord consumed them with fire, and the earth opened and swallowed Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their households (Numbers 16:31-35). Remarkably, Korah's sons survived the judgment (Numbers 26:11), and their descendants went on to become temple musicians and gatekeepers who contributed significantly to Israel's worship (1 Chronicles 6:22,37; 9:19). Korah's rebellion serves as a biblical warning against challenging divinely appointed leadership, while the survival and service of his descendants demonstrate God's grace and the possibility of redemption within families marked by rebellion.

Biography

Korah was a Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness (Num.16). He was the son of Izhar, from the Kohathite clan (Exo.6.21,24). Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 well-known community leaders, accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the congregation (Num.16.1-3). When Korah's followers presented incense offerings, the Lord destroyed them with fire (Num.16.35). The earth opened and swallowed Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their households (Num.16.31-33). Korah's sons, however, did not die (Num.26.11). The bronze censers of the rebels were made into a covering for the altar, as a reminder not to rebel against the Lord (Num.16.38-40). Korah's descendants became temple musicians (1Ch.6.22,37; Psa.42-49; 84-88) and gatekeepers (1Ch.9.19; 26.1,19). Some were mighty warriors who joined David at Ziklag (1Ch.12.6), and others settled in Jerusalem after the exile (1Ch.9.31). The Korahites also sang at the reign of Jehoshaphat (2Ch.20.19) and were listed among the Levite clans (Num.26.58).

Family

Parents

Siblings

Offspring

In Scripture

6 biblical books ; 3 with study content
Exodus 2 verses
  • Exodus 6:21

    "The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri."

    Study Exodus →
  • Exodus 6:24

    "The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These were the clans of the Korahites."

    Study Exodus →
Numbers 5 verses
  • Numbers 16:1

    "Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted"

  • Numbers 16:5

    "Then he said to Korah and all his followers, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will reveal who belongs to Him and who is holy, and He will bring that person near to Himself. The one He chooses He will bring near to Himself."

  • Numbers 16:6

    "You, Korah, and all your followers are to do as follows: Take censers,"

  • Numbers 16:8

    "Moses also said to Korah, “Now listen, you sons of Levi!"

  • Numbers 16:16

    "And Moses said to Korah, “You and all your followers are to appear before the LORD tomorrow—you and they and Aaron."

1 Chronicles 5 verses
  • 1 Chronicles 6:22

    "The descendants of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,"

  • 1 Chronicles 6:37

    "the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,"

  • 1 Chronicles 9:19

    "Shallum son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his relatives from the Korahites were assigned to guard the thresholds of the Tent, just as their fathers had been assigned to guard the entrance to the dwelling of the LORD."

  • 1 Chronicles 9:31

    "A Levite named Mattithiah, the firstborn son of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with baking the bread."

  • 1 Chronicles 12:6

    "Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites;"

Psalms 5 verses
  • Psalms 42:1

    "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God."

    Study Psalms →
  • Psalms 44:1

    "We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us the work You did in their days, in the days of old."

    Study Psalms →
  • Psalms 45:1

    "My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer."

    Study Psalms →
  • Psalms 46:1

    "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble."

    Study Psalms →
  • Psalms 47:1

    "Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout unto God with a voice of triumph."

    Study Psalms →
2 Chronicles 1 verse
  • 2 Chronicles 20:19

    "And the Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, shouting in a very loud voice."

Jude 1 verse
  • Jude 1:11

    "Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed for profit into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion."

    Study Jude →

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Transliteration Meaning
Named Hebrew קֹ֫רַח — Korach , the name of two Edomites and three Israelites
Group Hebrew קׇרְחִי — —
Greek Greek Κορέ Koré Core (i.e. Korach), an Israelite