The Sons of Korah were the sons of Moses’ cousin Korah. The story of Korah is found in Numbers 16:1-35; 26:8-11 and of his sons in Numbers 26:11; 1 Chronicles 6:31–38; 1 Chronicles 9:17–19.
Korah was the first cousin of Moses and Aaron, because their fathers, Izhar and Amram respectively, were brothers. And they were all great-grandsons of Levi and descendants of the Kohathite clan.
All three men belonged to the tribe of Levi and the Kohathite clan, which held a special role in the transport and care of the Tabernacle as described in Exodus.
Korah was the son of Izhar, while Moses and Aaron were the sons of Amram. Izhar and Amram were brothers, both being sons of Kohath.
Korah led a rebellion against Moses’ leadership, fueled by his discontent with his role in the Tabernacle service that was not as high as that of the priests, Aaron and his sons.
Korah’s sin was rebellion against God’s appointed leadership through Moses and Aaron, challenging the divine authority God had given them to lead the Israelites.
The rebellion was fueled by Korah’s jealousy of Aaron’s priestly role, Korah’s own pride, which made him believe he was entitled to a higher position, and Korah’s desire for power.
Korah falsely accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves and led a faction to challenge their authority, leading to a division within the Israelite community.
By creating a faction separate from the rest of the community, Korah sowed discord and division among the Israelites.
Korah’s argument contained a half-truth — that all Israelites were holy. But he used it to justify a false conclusion: that God had not made functional distinctions and everyone could approach the holy place.
Korah and his followers overstepped their bounds by arrogantly attempting to usurp the sacred functions of the priesthood, an act considered a direct affront to God.
Along with Dathan and Abiram (non-Levites from the tribe of Rueben who were key figures in the rebellion) 250 co-conspirators were punished for their rebellion when they offered incense to God in fire pans and the heavenly fire (perhaps lightning or from the incense pans) consumed all 250 of them (Numbers 16:18-21 35).
According to the biblical account in the Book of Numbers, the divine punishment for their actions included the ground miraculously opening and swallowing them, their families, and their possessions alive.
The event resulted in the death of Korah, his followers, and their households, and served as a warning to the other Israelites. The earth was said to have closed over them, and they perished from the assembly.
God’s judgment against this overt pride was swift and terrifying. Interestingly, just a few chapters later, during a God-ordained census, we read that the sons of Korah were spared from God’s judgment and punishment during this event (Numbers 26:9-11). God’s mercy prevailed for them.
The Bible makes it clear that Korah’s sons survived the rebellion, and their descendants continued to serve God.
The prophet Samuel was a descendant of Korah. Although Korah rebelled against Moses, his sons did not die in the uprising and their lineage continued. Generations later, according to the biblical account in 1 Chronicles 6:31–38, Samuel emerged as a descendant of Korah through one of his sons.
The descendants of Korah, now called the Korahites, eventually served as temple workers and musicians, as noted in 1 Chronicles 6:31–38 and 1 Chronicles 9:17–19.
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In conclusion, consider the Daily Bread email message sent on 11/19/2025 which says
Numbers 26:10, 11 –
and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, so that they became a
warning. The sons of Korah, however, did not die. (NASB)
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free on Mon., Wed., and Fri., in your email inbox, just fill in the form below or send an email, and ask to be added, to
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