Korah the Offended Brother Who Rebelled Against Moses and God

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Korach 1:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"Now Korah took" (Numbers 16:1). This is what Scripture says: "A brother offended is harder to win than a fortified city, and contentions are like the bar of a castle" (Proverbs 18:19). "A brother offended" — this is Korah, who quarreled against Moses, and rebelled, and sank down from the honor that had been in his hand. And the word "offended" (nifsha') means nothing other than rebellion, as it is said, "The king of Moab rebelled (pasha') against me" (II Kings 3:7); and it says, "Then Libnah rebelled (tifsha')" (II Kings 8:22). "And contentions are like the bar of a castle" (Proverbs 18:19) — for he quarreled against the Holy One, blessed be He, and against Moses.

Themes

RebellionMosesWisdomKingsBible

Biblical References

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