Dathan
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Dathan, the son of Eliab and brother of Abiram, joined Korah in challenging the exclusive authority of Moses and Aaron. According to the biblical account, he and his household were consumed by the earth as a divine judgment for their insurrection.
What is the meaning of Dathan in the Bible?
Dathan, the son of Eliab and brother of Abiram, joined Korah in challenging the exclusive authority of Moses and Aaron. According to the biblical account, he and his household were consumed by the earth as a divine judgment for their insurrection.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Dathan's role clarifies the narrative tension between established tribal leadership and charismatic religious authority, illustrating the biblical theme that challenging divinely appointed order results in severe communal consequences.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.