Why Korah Rebelled Over Elizaphan Son of Uzziel

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Korach 3:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Numbers 16:1:) "Now Korah took." Concerning what did he dissent? Concerning Elizaphan son of his father's brother, who had been made prince over his clan, as it is said (Numbers 3:30): "And the prince of the ancestral house for the clan of the Kohathites was Elizaphan son of Uzziel." Korah said: "My father's brothers were four, (as it is written, Exodus 6:18:) 'And the sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.' As for Amram the firstborn, his son Aaron attained the high priesthood, and his brother Moses attained the kingship. And who is fit to take the second place? Is it not the second son? (Exodus 6:18:) 'And the sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar.' And I am the son of Izhar; I was fit to be prince of my clan. Yet he has appointed the son of Uzziel. Shall the youngest of my father's brothers be greater than I? Behold, I dissent and nullify all his words, everything that he has done." Therefore there was dissension.

Themes

RebellionBirthAdam EveKingsPriesthood

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Megillat AntiochusThe Greek Empire and the Road to the Maccabean RevoltThe familiar version gives us the basic story: the Maccabees, a small band of Jewish rebels, stood up to the mighty Greek empire and rededicated the Temple in JThe Book of Maccabees IJudas Maccabeus Leads a Rebel Band Against the EmpireThe Book of Maccabees I turns to Judas Maccabeus Leads a Rebel Band Against the Empire. It: a small band of Jewish rebels standing up against the mighty SeleuciLegends of the JewsThe King Who Taxed the Dead and the People's RevoltIt paints a vivid picture, doesn't it? The story goes that a king – we don't know his name, but his actions speak volumes – decided to impose a truly… unique… tLegends of the JewsAbsalom's Transgression of DavidThere's always a story of persuasion, of turning hearts and minds. And the story of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David, is a masterclass in… welLegends of the JewsAhasuerus Throws a Six-Month Feast for All of ShushanHe throws this massive bash. A six-month-long extravaganza. But what was really going on? The Book of Esther tells us the feast was for all the people in ShushaTargum JonathanHow Nimrod Became the First Rebel Against GodGenesis 10 is the Table of Nations, a genealogy listing Noah's descendants and where they settled. In the Hebrew Bible, it reads like a census. The Targum Jonat