Korah in Jewish Mythology

46 myths · Page 2 of 2

Myths, legends, and mystical writings about Korah from across Jewish tradition.
Parshat Korach 5 min

Earth Opens Like a Funnel for Korah's Camp

Korah came at Moses through the family gate. When the ground finally tilted it took his tents, his flocks, and a needle he had lent out.

KorahMosesRebellionLeviDatanAviramEarthWilderness
Myth 5 min

Aaron Took the Fire-Pan After His Sons Died by Fire

Fire from God had already killed Nadab and Abihu. Now Moses handed their father the same fire pan and told him to run into the plague.

AaronMosesPlagueFire PanNadabAbihuKorahIncense
Myth 5 min

Korah Saw Samuel in His Bloodline and Missed His Sons' Repentance

Two hundred fifty men came forward with censers. Moses reminded them that Nadab and Abihu had died holding pans like those. Korah put fire in his pan anyway.

KorahMosesSamuelRebellionCensersLeviTeshuvahSons
Parshat Korach 5 min

Korah Lifted Censers and Chose His Own Fire

Moses warns Korah that only one man will walk from the pans. Fire and earth answer, the people cry we perish, and Israel later denies Aaron's death.

KorahMosesAaronCensersFireRebellionPlagueWilderness
Myth 6 min

Korah Counted Birth Order and Split Israel

Korah measured Kohath's sons and decided Elizaphan's prince-seat belonged to him. From that envy he tried to unmake Moses, Aaron, and the boundaries of light.

KorahMosesAaronElizaphanRebellionPriesthoodLeviEnvyBoundariesSinai
Myth 5 min

Korah Keeps His Mouth Shut Against Moses

Moses pleads. Korah answers with nothing, fearing soft words will bend him. Dathan and Abiram spit Egypt back as paradise, then refuse to come up.

KorahDathanAbiramMosesRebellionLeviSheolSilence
Myth 5 min

Moses Bows Before Aaron at the Tent Door

God orders the whole camp to the Tent. Moses bows to Aaron in public, warns against Korah's path, and Aaron later confesses over a bull that is only his.

MosesAaronPriesthoodKorahYom KippurUzzielLeviTent
Myth 5 min

Moses Begs at the Gate He Once Commanded

The friend who once appointed generals now pleads with a gatekeeper. Moses, who moved the Ark with a word, begs for the land.

MosesPromised LandPrayerTimeSeasonsKorahWildernessRefusal
Myth 6 min

On's Wife Cut Her Hair and Hid Him From Korah

While Korah marched two hundred and fifty princes, On's wife poured wine, unbound her hair, and blocked the door until the earth closed.

KorahOn Ben PelethWivesRebellionWisdomLeahIssacharTanchuma
Myth 5 min

Hannah Prayed Korah's Company Out of Sheol

The earth had closed over Korah and Rabbi Akiva ruled that they were never coming up. Then a woman at Shiloh stood and sang about a son.

HannahKorahDavidSheolSamuelAnointingAkivaResurrection
Myth 5 min

A Captive of War Bred a Rebel Son for David

Maacah was the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, and David wanted her while he was out at war. Her son was Absalom, who split the kingdom in two.

DavidAbsalomCaptiveWarJacobKorahKohathRebellion
Myth 5 min

The Camp Envied Moses Until the Earth Opened

At the water jars they asked why it was always his face at the tent door. The ground opened, and mothers pulled their children back from the crack.

MosesDathanAbiramEnvyKorahRedemptionSongWilderness
Parshat Vayishlach 5 min

Esau Fled the Land With No One Pursuing Him

Esau packed wives, herds, and shame and left Canaan though no army chased him. The midrash hears the wicked fleeing a pursuer only they can see.

EsauJacobCanaanWealthKorahProverbsShameExile
Myth 5 min

The Earth Opened Its Mouth Under Korah's Own Feet

Two hundred fifty censers were still smoking when the dust rose and the screams cut short. A child dropped a jug in the camp and nobody scolded him.

KorahMosesFollyRebellionJustice
Myth 7 min

When Korah Drew Hearts With Soft Words Alone

Korah seizes no rope and no staff. Soft speech gathers the great of Israel until a camp walks after a man who never raises his hand.

KorahRebellionMosesSpeechWilderness
Myth 5 min

Jethro Shot an Arrow into the Camp Cloud

Jethro brought Zipporah, whom Moses had divorced, and her two sons to a camp the cloud had sealed. He tied his letter to an arrow and shot it inside.

JethroMosesAmalekKorahZipporah