Bible Thesaurus: Korah

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Thesaurus

Korah (51 Occurrences)
... while the Israelites were encamped at Kadesh for the first time, which came to a
head in a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, headed by Korah, Dathan, and ...
/k/korah.htm - 44k

Korah's (4 Occurrences)
...Korah's (4 Occurrences). ... For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the
error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah's rebellion. (WEB RSV NIV). ...
/k/korah's.htm - 7k

Abiram (9 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Father of height; ie, "proud.". (1.) One of the sons of
Eliab, who joined Korah in the conspiracy against Moses and Aaron. ...
/a/abiram.htm - 12k

Dathan (8 Occurrences)
... Welled; belonging to a fountain, a son of Eliab, a Reubenite, who joined Korah
(qv) in his conspiracy, and with his accomplices was swallowed up by an ...
/d/dathan.htm - 10k

Followers (37 Occurrences)
... Numbers 16:5 and he spoke to Korah and to all his company, saying, "In the morning
Yahweh will show who are his, and who is holy, and will cause him to come ...
/f/followers.htm - 16k

Maschil (26 Occurrences)
... Maschil of the sons of Korah. (ASV). ... Maschil. Of the sons of Korah.> Like the desire
of the roe for the water-streams, so is my soul's desire for you, O God. ...
/m/maschil.htm - 15k

Korahites (7 Occurrences)
... That portion of the Kohathites that descended from Korah. ... There are eleven psalms
(42-49; 84; 85; 87; 88) dedicated to the sons of Korah. ...
/k/korahites.htm - 20k

Musician (112 Occurrences)
... Psalm 42 For the Chief Musician. Maschil of the sons of Korah. (ASV). Psalms
42:1 For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah. ...
/m/musician.htm - 39k

Je'ush (9 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:5 Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. ... (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 1:35
The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jalam, and Korah. ...
/j/je'ush.htm - 8k

Jalam (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:5 Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. ... 1 Chronicles 1:35 The sons
of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jalam, and Korah. ...
/j/jalam.htm - 8k

Bible Concordance

Korah (51 Occurrences)

Jude 1:11 Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah's rebellion.
(WEB WEY ASV BBE YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 36:5 Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 36:14 These were the sons of Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife: she bore to Esau Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 36:16 chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek: these are the chiefs who came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 36:18 These are the sons of Oholibamah, Esau's wife: chief Jeush, chief Jalam, chief Korah: these are the chiefs who came of Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau's wife.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 6:21 The sons of Izhar: Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 6:24 The sons of Korah: Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men :
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:5 and he spoke to Korah and to all his company, saying, "In the morning Yahweh will show who are his, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to him: even him whom he shall choose he will cause to come near to him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:6 Do this: take censers, Korah, and all his company;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:8 Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of Levi!
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:10 and that he has brought you near, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? and do you seek the priesthood also?
(See NAS)

Numbers 16:16 Moses said to Korah, "You and all your company go before Yahweh, you, and they, and Aaron, tomorrow:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:19 Korah assembled all the congregation against them to the door of the Tent of Meeting: and the glory of Yahweh appeared to all the congregation.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:24 "Speak to the congregation, saying,'Get away from around the tent of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram!'"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:27 So they got them up from the tent of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood at the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little ones.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:32 and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who appertained to Korah, and all their goods.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:40 to be a memorial to the children of Israel, to the end that no stranger, who isn't of the seed of Aaron, comes near to burn incense before Yahweh; that he not be as Korah, and as his company: as Yahweh spoke to him by Moses.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:49 Now those who died by the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides those who died about the matter of Korah.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 26:9 The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. These are that Dathan and Abiram, who were called of the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against Yahweh,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 26:10 and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died; what time the fire devoured two hundred fifty men, and they became a sign.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 26:11 Notwithstanding, the sons of Korah didn't die.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 27:3 "Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against Yahweh in the company of Korah: but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 1:35 The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jalam, and Korah. The Second Book of Chronicles
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 2:43 The sons of Hebron: Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 6:22 The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 6:37 the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 9:19 Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brothers, of his father's house, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tent: and their fathers had been over the camp of Yahweh, keepers of the entry.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 26:19 These were the divisions of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.
(Root in WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS NIV)

Psalms 41:13 Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, From everlasting and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen. Psalm 42 For the Chief Musician. Maschil of the sons of Korah.
(ASV)

Psalms 42:1 For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.
(WEB JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Psalms 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, 'Who is' the help of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 44 For the Chief Musician. 'A Psalm' of the sons of Korah. Maschil.
(ASV)

Psalms 44:1 For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. A contemplative psalm. We have heard with our ears, God; our fathers have told us, what work you did in their days, in the days of old.
(WEB JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Psalms 44:26 Rise up for our help, And redeem us for thy lovingkindness' sake. Psalm 45 For the Chief Musician; set to Shoshannim. 'A Psalm' of the sons of Korah. Maschil. A Song of loves.
(ASV)

Psalms 45:1 For the Chief Musician. Set to "The Lilies." A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song. My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.
(WEB JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Psalms 45:17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: Therefore shall the peoples give thee thanks for ever and ever. Psalm 46 For the Chief Musician. 'A Psalm' of the sons of Korah; set to Alamoth. A Song.
(ASV)

Psalms 46:1 For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.Alamoth is a musical term. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
(WEB JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Psalms 46:11 Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Psalm 47 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
(ASV)

Psalms 47:1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. Oh clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
(WEB JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Psalms 47:9 The princes of the peoples are gathered together 'To be' the people of the God of Abraham: For the shields of the earth belong unto God; He is greatly exalted. Psalm 48 A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.
(ASV)

Psalms 48:1 A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
(WEB JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Psalms 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide 'even' unto death. Psalm 49 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
(ASV)

Psalms 49:1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples. Listen, all you inhabitants of the world,
(WEB JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Psalms 83:18 That they may know that thou alone, whose name is Jehovah, Art the Most High over all the earth. Psalm 84 For the Chief Musician; set to the Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
(ASV)

Psalms 84:1 For the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. How lovely are your dwellings, Yahweh of Armies!
(WEB JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Psalms 84:12 O Jehovah of hosts, Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. Psalm 85 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
(ASV)

Psalms 85:1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. Yahweh, you have been favorable to your land. You have restored the fortunes of Jacob.
(WEB JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Psalms 86:17 Show me a token for good, That they who hate me may see it, and be put to shame, Because thou, Jehovah, hast helped me, and comforted me. Psalm 87 A Psalm of the sons of Korah; a Song.
(ASV)

Psalms 87:1 A Psalm by the sons of Korah; a Song. His foundation is in the holy mountains.
(WEB JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Psalms 87:7 They that sing as well as they that dance 'shall say', All my fountains are in thee. Psalm 88 A Song, a Psalm of the sons of Korah; for the Chief Musician; set to Mahalath Leannoth. Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.
(ASV)

Psalms 88:1 A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "The Suffering of Affliction." A contemplation by Heman, the Ezrahite. Yahweh, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you.
(WEB JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Korah

baldness; ice; frost

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Korah

(baldness).

Third son of Esau by Aholibamah. (Genesis 36:5,14,18; 1 Chronicles 1:35) He was born in Canaan before Esau migrated to Mount Seir, (Genesis 36:5-9) and was one of the "dukes" of Edom. (B.C. 1790.)
Another Edomitish "duke" of this name, sprung from Eliphaz, Esau's son of Adah. (Genesis 36:16)
One of the "sons of Hebron," in (1 Chronicles 2:43)
Son of Izhar the son of Kohath the son of Levi. He was leader of the famous rebellion against his cousins Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, for which he paid the penalty of perishing with his followers by an earthquake and flames of fire. (Numbers 16; 26:9-11) The particular grievance which rankled in the mind of Korah and his company was their exclusion from the office of the priesthood, and their being confined --those among them who were Levites-- to the inferior service of the tabernacle. Korah's position as leader in this rebellion was evidently the result of his personal character, which was that of a bold, haughty and ambitious man. (B.C. 1490.) In the New Testament (Jude 1:11) Korah is coupled with Cain and Balaam.

ATS Bible Dictionary

Korah

A Levite, who rebelled against Moses and Aaron, and so against Jehovah. He was a cousin of Moses; for their fathers Izhar and Amram were brothers, Exodus 6:16-21. He was jealous of the civil authority and priestly dignity conferred by God upon Moses and Aaron, his own cousins, while he was simply a Levite; and to obtain a part at least of their power for himself, he stirred up a factious spirit in the people. Too much, alas, of what may seem to be zeal for the honor of God, has its true character displayed in the pride and ambition of this rebellious Levite. The two hundred and fifty Levites whom he had enticed to join him were destroyed by fire from the Lord; while Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were swallowed up by the miraculous opening of the earth, Numbers 26:11; and the Korahites or "sons of Korah," were a celebrated family of singers and poets in the time of David, 1 Chronicles 9:19 26:1. To them are inscribed several Psalms, Psalm 42:1-11 44:1-26 49:1-20 84:1-85:13 87:1-88:18.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ice, hail.

(1.) The third son of Esau, by Aholibamah (Genesis 36:14; 1 Chronicles 1:35).

(2.) A Levite, the son of Izhar, the brother of Amram, the father of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 6:21). The institution of the Aaronic priesthood and the Levitical service at Sinai was a great religious revolution. The old priesthood of the heads of families passed away. This gave rise to murmurings and discontent, while the Israelites were encamped at Kadesh for the first time, which came to a head in a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, headed by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Two hundred and fifty princes, "men of renown" i.e., well-known men from among the other tribes, joined this conspiracy. The whole company demanded of Moses and Aaron that the old state of things should be restored, alleging that "they took too much upon them" (Numbers 16:1-3). On the morning after the outbreak, Korah and his associates presented themselves at the door of the tabernacle, and "took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon." But immediately "fire from the Lord" burst forth and destroyed them all (Numbers 16:35). Dathan and Abiram "came out and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children," and it came to pass "that the ground clave asunder that was under them; and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up." A plague thereafter began among the people who sympathized in the rebellion, and was only stayed by Aaron's appearing between the living and the dead, and making "an atonement for the people" (16:47).

The descendants of the sons of Korah who did not participate in the rebellion afterwards rose to eminence in the Levitical service.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

KORAH

ko'-ra, (qorach, "baldness," possibly; Kore):

(1) One of the 3 sons of Oholibamah, Esau's Hivite wife. The account says that the 3 were born in Canaan before Esau withdrew to the Seir mountain country. They are mentioned 3 times in the brief account from 3 points of view (Genesis 36:5, 14, 18 1 Chronicles 1:35), the 3rd mention being in the list of "chiefs."

(2) One of the sons of Eliphaz, the son of Adah, Esau's Hittite wife (Genesis 36:16). He is mentioned as one of the Edomite "chiefs."

If one has the habit, finding a statement anywhere, of thinking that the statement ought to be changed into something else, he will be interested in the attempts to identify these Edomite Korahs with Korah (3).

(3) A son of Hebron (1 Chronicles 2:43), the son of Mareshah, mentioned in the Caleb group of families in Judah.

(4) The son of Izhar the son of Kohath the son of Levi (Exodus 6:16 Numbers 16:1 1 Chronicles 6:18, 31-38), a younger contemporary of Moses. There may have been generations, omitted in the record, between Izhar and Korah; that is a natural way of accounting for Amminadab (1 Chronicles 6:22-30).

1. The Catastrophe in the Wilderness:

This Korah is best known as the man whom the opening earth is said to have swallowed up along with his associates when they were challenging the authority of Moses and Aaron in the wilderness (Numbers 16; Numbers 17). Korah is presented as the principal in the affair. The company is spoken of as his company, and those who were swallowed up as being "all the men that appertained unto Korah." (Numbers 16:11, 32). It is under his name that the affair is referred to (Numbers 26:9; Numbers 27:3). But Dathan and Abiram of the tribe of Reuben are not much less prominent than Korah. In Numbers 16 and 26 they are mentioned with Korah, and are mentioned without him in Deuteronomy 11:6 and Psalm 106:17. Another Reubenite, On, the son of Peleth, was in the conspiracy. It has been inferred that he withdrew, but there is no reason either for or against the inference. Equally baseless is the inference that Zelophehad of Manassel joined it, but withdrew (Numbers 27:3). The account implies that there were other Levites in it besides Korah (Numbers 16:7-10), and it particularly mentions 250 "men of renown," princes, such men as would be summoned if there were a public assembly (Numbers 16:2, 17, 35). These men, apparently, were of different tribes.

The position taken by the malcontents was that "all the congregation are holy, every one of them," and that it was therefore a usurpation for Moses and Aaron to confine the functions of an incense-burning priest to Aaron alone. Logically, their objection lay equally against the separation of Aaron and his sons from the rest of the Levites, and against the separation of the Levites from the rest of the people. On the basis of this, Moses made expostulation with the Levites. He arranged that Korah and the 250, along with Aaron, should take their places at the doorway of the tent of meeting, with their censers and fire and incense, so that Yahweh might indicate His will in the matter. Dathan and Abiram insolently refused his proposals.

The record says that Korah's "whole congregation," including himself and the 250 with their censers, met Moses and Aaron and "all the congregation" of Israel at the doorway of the tent of meeting. For the purposes of the transaction in hand the tent was now "the mishkan of Korah, Dathan and Abiram," and their followers. Yahweh directed Moses to warn all other persons to leave the vicinity. Dathan and Abiram, however, were not at the mishkan. The account says that Moses, followed by the eiders of Israel, went to them to their tents; that he warned all persons to leave that vicinity also; that Dathan and Abiram and the households stood near the tents; that the earth opened and swallowed them and their property and all the adherents of Korah who were on the spot; that fire from Yahweh devoured the 250 who offered incense. The narrative does not say whether the deaths by fire and by the opening of the earth were simultaneous. It does not say whether Korah's sons participated in the rebellion, or what became of Korah himself. In the allusion in Numbers 26 we are told, apparently, that Korah was swallowed up, and that "the sons of Korah died not." The deaths of the principal offenders, by fire and by being swallowed up, were followed by plague in which 14,700 perished (Numbers 16:49 (Hebrew 17:14)).

2. Critical Treatments of This Story:

Any appreciative reader sees at once that we have here either a history of certain miraculous facts, or a wonder-story devised for teaching religious lessons. As a story it is artistically admirable-sufficiently complicated to be interesting, but clear and graphic and to the point. In the Hebrew there are 2 or 3 instances of incomplete grammatical construction, such as abound in the early literary products of any language, when these have been fortunate enough to escape editorial polishing. In such a case it is possibly not unwise just to take a story as it stands. Nothing will be added to either its religious or its literary value by subjecting it to doubtful alleged critical processes.

If, however, one has committed himself to certain critical traditions concerning the Hexateuch, that brings him under obligation to lead this story into conformity with the rest of his theory. Attempts of this kind have been numerous. Some hold that the Korah of this narrative is the Edomite Korah, and that Peleth means Philistine, and that our story originally grew out of some claim made by Edomites and Philistines. It is held that the story of Korah was originally one story, and that of Dathan and Abiram another, and that someone manipulated the two and put them together. See the treatments of the Book of Numbers in Driver, Introduction; Addis, Documents of the Hexateuch; Carpenter and Battersby, Hexateuch; Bacon, Exodus; Paterson on Numbers, in the Polychrome Bible. These and other like works give source-analyses of our story. Some of the points they make are plausible. In such a case no one claims any adequate basis of fact for his work; each theory is simply a congeries of ingenious guesses, and no two of the guessers guess alike.

As in many other Biblical instances, one of the results of the alleged critical study is the resolving of a particularly fine story into two or more supposed earlier stories each of which is absolutely bald and crude and uninteresting, the earlier stories and the combining of these into their present form being alike regarded as processes of legendary accretion. The necessary inference is that the fine story we now have was not the product of some gifted mind, guided by facts and by literary and religious inspiration, but is an accidental result of mere patchwork. Such a theory does not commend itself to persons of literary appreciation.

Willis J. Beecher

KORAHITES; SONS OF KORAH

ko'-ra-its (qorchi), (beno qorach; in the King James Version appears also as Korhite, Kohathite, Kore): This phrase is used to denote Assir and Elkanah and Abiasaph, Korah's 3 individual sons (Exodus 6:24; compare Numbers 26:11). But its more frequent use, and that to which interest attaches, is in the titles of some of the Psalms.

The genealogical details concerning Korahites are rather full. In 3 places we find the list of the 7 successive generations closing with the prophet Samuel and his son Joel (1 Chronicles 6:31-38, 22-30 1 Samuel 1:1, 20; 1 Samuel 8:2); the two in Ch mention most of the generations between Korahites and Joel. The fragmentary lists in 1 Chronicles 9:25; 1 Chronicles 26 connect the list with the 4 generations following Joel (1 Chronicles 6:33; 1 Chronicles 9:19-31; 26:1), and with 2 generations in the very latest Bible times (1 Chronicles 9:31).

The adjective "Korhite" appears also in the King James Version as "Korathite," Kore," and "Korahite," the last being the form preferred in the English Revised Version. It is used 4 times in the singular. Once it designates an individual (1 Chronicles 9:31); 3 times it denotes the successors of Korahites taken collectively (Exodus 6:24 Numbers 26:58 1 Chronicles 26:19); 4 times it is used in the plural, denoting the members of this succession of men (1 Chronicles 9:19; 1 Chronicles 12:6; 1 Chronicles 26:1 2 Chronicles 20:19). As variants of this use, "the sons of the Korahites" appears once, and "the children of the Korahites" once (1 Chronicles 26:19 2 Chronicles 20:19).

In these various passages the Korahites families are counted like the other Levitical families. In 1 Chronicles 12:6 we have an account of 5 men who are designated as "the Korahites," who joined David when he was at Ziklag-Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam. They are described as expert warriors, especially with the bow and sling, and as being "of Saul's brethren of Benjamin." Some of them may plausibly be identified with men of the same name mentioned elsewhere. These Korahites may have been cousins of the Samuel family, and they may have resided not very far apart.

The record speaks with some emphasis of a line of Korahites doorkeepers.

In the latest Old Testament times one Mattithiah, "the first-born of Shallum the Korahite," held "the office of trust over the things that were baked in pans" (1 Chronicles 9:31). Shallum was "the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah." In this expression 15 or more generations are omitted between Ebiasaph and Kore, and perhaps as many between Kore and Shallum. The record proceeds to supply some of the omitted names between Kore and Shallum. The representative of the line in David's time was "Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah" (1 Chronicles 9:21). In all periods the Korahites were "keepers of the thresholds of the tent." Back in the time of "Phinehas the son of Eleazar," "their fathers had been over the camp of Yahweh" (1 Chronicles 9:19, 20). Zechariah was, in his time, "porter of the door of the tent of meeting" (1 Chronicles 9:21), and Shallum was still the chief of the porters (1 Chronicles 9:17). The record for David's time supports and supplements this. It says that the doorkeepers, according to the arrangements made by David, included a Korahites contingent, its leading men being Meshelemiah and his son Zechariah (1 Chronicles 26:1, 2, 9, 14), and that Meshelemiah was "the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph." Adopting the common conjecture that Asaph is here a variant for Ebiasaph, we have here the same abridgment of the genealogical list as in 1 Chronicles 9.

More interesting, however, than the fighting Korahites who claimed succession from Moses to Nehemiah, are the."sons of Korah" who were somehow connected with the service of song. One of the genealogies is introduced by the statement: "These are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of Yahweh, after that the ark had rest. And they ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of Yahweh in Jerus" (1 Chronicles 6:31, 32). Then the writer proceeds to mention first "Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel," and so on, carrying the genealogy back to Korah and Levi. After thus mentioning Heman, he speaks of "his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand," and traces Asaph's descent back to Gershom the son of Levi; and then says, "and on the left hand their brethren the sons of Merari." Of these the principal leader is Ethan (otherwise called Jeduthun), and his descent is here traced back to Levi.

In this way we are introduced to David's 3 great leaders in choral and orchestral music. Among them Heman the Korahite has at first the place of primacy, though Asaph, later, comes to the front. The events just referred to are mentioned again, more in detail, in the account of David's bringing the ark to Jerusalem. There it is said that at the suggestion of David "the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel," and also Asaph and Ethan, "and with them" several others, "their brethren of the second degree" (1 Chronicles 15:17, 18). The record proceeds to speak of the services of "the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan," and their associates, in the pageantry of the bringing of the ark to Jerusalem. After that, it says, Asaph had charge of the services of thanksgiving and praise before the ark in Jerusalem, while Heman and Jeduthun served in the high place at Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:4; 1 Chronicles 37, 39-42). Later, the record says (1 Chronicles 25), David made an elaborate organization, under Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, for prophesying with song and instrumental music.

As the records of David's time, according to the Chronicler, thus attribute to him great achievements in sacred music and song, so the records of subsequent times reiterate the same thing. David's interest in sacred music is mentioned in connection with Solomon's temple, in connection with the times of Joash and Hezekiah and Josiah, in connection with the institutions and exploits of the times after the exile (e.g. 2 Chronicles 7:6; 2 Chronicles 23:18; 2 Chronicles 29:25;; 35:15:00; Ezra 3:10 Nehemiah 12:24, 36, 45, 46). Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun led the magnificent choir and orchestra at the dedication of the temple (2 Chronicles 5:12). One of the sons of Asaph prophesied, and the sons of the Korahites sang at the crisis in the time of Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:14, 19). The sons of Asaph and the sons of Heman and the sons of Jeduthun were present, and there was instrumental music and loud singing, according to the appointment of David and his associates, at the time of Hezekiah's Passover (2 Chronicles 29:13). Singing, and Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun and David have an important place in the record concerning Josiah. And the records of the post-exilian times make the singers and the "sons of Asaph" and the arrangements of David as conspicuous as the law of Moses itself.

Add to this that the names Asaph or Heman or Ethan or Jeduthun, or the designation "the sons of Korah" are attached to 25 or more of the Psalms (e.g. Psalms 42-49; 50; 62; 72-85), and we have a body of testimony that is at least abundant and intelligible. It is to the effect that there was elaborate organization, on a large scale, in connection with the musical services of the temple at Jerusalem; that this began in the time of David, as a part of the preparation for building the temple, under the influence of the family traditions of the prophet Samuel; and that the movement continued in the generations following David, either surviving the exile, or being revived after the exile. In connection with this movement, the phrases "sons of Korah," "sons of Asaph," "sons of Heman," "sons of Jeduthun" denote, in some cases, merely lineal escent; but in other cases they denote each an aggregate of persons interested in sacred song and music-a guild or society or succession or group-arising out of the movement which originated in David's time. See, for example, "sons of Asaph" (1 Chronicles 25:1, 2 2 Chronicles 20:14; compare 2 Chronicles 20:19; 2 Chronicles 29:13; 2 Chronicles 35:15 Ezra 2:41; Ezra 3:10 Nehemiah 7:44; Nehemiah 11:22) and "sons of Korah" in the titles of Psalms 42-49 and 84; 85; 87-89. Traces of these aggregates appear in the times of Solomon, of Jehoshaphat, of Joash, of Hezekiah, of Josiah, of Zerubbabel, of Ezra and Nehemiah.

If a person holds that the mention of an event in Chronicles is to be regarded as proof that the event never occurred, that person will of course deny that the testimony thus cited is true to fact. He is likely to hold that the guilds of singers arose in the exile, and that, some generations after Nehemiah, they fabricated for themselves the ecclesiastical and physical pedigrees now found in the Books of Chronicles. If, however, we accord fair play to the Chronicler as a witness, we shall be slow to discredit the minute and interfitting testimony which he has placed before us.

Willis J. Beecher

Greek

2879. Kore -- Korah, an Israelite
... Korah, an Israelite. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration:
Kore Phonetic Spelling: (kor-eh') Short Definition: Korah Definition: (Hebrew ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2879.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

7145. Qorchi -- descendant of Korah
... Qorchi. 7146 . descendant of Korah. Transliteration: Qorchi Phonetic Spelling:
(kor-khee') Short Definition: Korahites. Word Origin from Qorach Definition desc ...
/hebrew/7145.htm - 6k

7141. Qorach -- an Edomite name, also an Israelite name
... an Edomite name, also an Israelite name. Transliteration: Qorach Phonetic Spelling:
(ko'rakh) Short Definition: Korah. ... name NASB Word Usage Korah (26). Korah. ...
/hebrew/7141.htm - 6k

Library

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram
... SERMON XIII. KORAH, DATHAN, AND ABIRAM. ... Now this Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rebel.
They rebel against Moses about a question of the priesthood. ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xiii korah dathan and.htm

Psalm XLII.
... 2. The title then of it is, "On the end: a Psalm for understanding for the sons
of Korah." We have met with the sons of Korah in other titles of Psalms: [1227 ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlii.htm

Chapter xxxvi
... sister of Nebaioth. And Adah bare Eliphaz to Esau; and Basemath bare Reuel;
and Oholibamah bare Jeush and Jalam and Korah. These are ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

Psalm XLVII.
... 1. The title of the Psalm goeth thus. "To the end: for the sons of Korah: a Psalm ...
The sons of Korah, who are they? [1513] ...Haply the sons of the Bridegroom. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlvii.htm

Numbers
... The story of the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram is peculiarly
instructive (xvi.). It will be noticed that Dathan and Abiram ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/numbers.htm

Psalm XLIV.
... St. Augustin on the Psalms. Psalm XLIV. 1. This Psalm is addressed "to the
sons of Korah," as its title shows. Now Korah is equivalent ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xliv.htm

The Power of Harmony in Relation to Prayer.
... of the Psalms, as for example to that of the forty-first, which is as follows:
"Unto the end, unto understanding, for the sons of Korah." [6050] For though ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/1 the power of harmony.htm

Psalm XLV.
... we, in that we are the "children of the Bridegroom;" and it is to us that this Psalm
is addressed, whose title has the words, "For the sons of Korah, for the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlv.htm

The Epistle of Saint Jude.
... And perished in the rebellion of Korah. Of the rebellion of Korah, and
how he was destroyed, with his house, we have an account ...
/.../the epistle of saint jude.htm

Psalms and Proverbs.
... authorship of 50. The authors named for others are David, Asaph, the sons
of Korah, Herman, Ethan, Moses and Solomon. Of the 100 ...
/.../chapter xiii psalms and proverbs.htm

Subtopics

Korah

Korah: A Korhite Levite

Korah: A Son of Esau

Korah: Jealous of Moses, Leads Two-Hundred and Fifty Princes in an Insurrection

Korah: Son of Hebron

Korah: Son of Kohath, and Head of the Family of Sacred Musicians Among the Levites

Korah: Son of Kohath, and Head of the Family of Sacred Musicians Among the Levites To

Related Terms

Korah's (4 Occurrences)

Abiram (9 Occurrences)

Dathan (8 Occurrences)