King James Version
Numbers 16:31 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under the...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:”
Numbers 16:31 · KJV
If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. the common: Heb. as every man dieth
But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. make: Heb. create a creature
And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
KJV Study — Public Domain
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
“And it came to pass as he had made an end”
H3615to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
“of speaking”
H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
“all these words”
H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Numbers 16:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Numbers 16:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge