Text: Psalm 106:17
OT Text Referred to: Deuteronomy 11:6
Subject: Earth swallowing Dathan and Abiram
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Allusion
Connection Method(s): None
Significance: Moses recalls the dramatic judgment when "the earth opened its mouth and swallowed" (פָּצְתָה הָאָרֶץ אֶת פִּיהָ וַתִּבְלָעֵם, patzeta ha'aretz et piha vativla'em) Dathan and Abiram, and Psalm 106:17 echoes this vivid language: "the earth opened up and swallowed (תִּפְתַּח אֶרֶץ וַתִּבְלַע, tiftach 'eretz vativla') Dathan." Both texts use the same verbs פתח ("open") and בלע ("swallow") to recall this unique act of divine judgment. Notably, Moses mentions only Dathan and Abiram (omitting Korah), while the psalm names Dathan and covers Abiram's company, suggesting both draw on the same tradition that distinguished the earth-swallowing from the fire-consuming aspects of the rebellion narrative in Numbers 16.