Datan and Aviram (Dathan and Abiram) always appear as a pair, so we have no knowledge about them as individuals. In Part I we will study the story in which they appear. In Part II we will look at other biblical material that responds to their story, and in Part III we will examine some rabbinic commentaries on them.

Part I: Numbers 16:1-35

Korach is a major player here, but we will not focus on him. He seems to have had his personal reasons for causing a rebellion against Moshe and Aaron, and altruism had nothing to do with it.

1. What was the complaint of this rebellious group? (V.3)

2. How do we know that the request is not a genuine desire to move closer to God?

Notice the ridiculous nature of their argument: They claim that all are קדושים (Kedoshim = sanctified.) A sanctified thing is a thing/person set aside for a specific purpose. If an entire crowd is sanctified, the uniqueness is lost.

3. The group is described as approaching: “They assembled on (ויקהלו על)Moshe and Aaron.” What does the expression mean? (It appears again in v.19)

4. Why do you think that Moshe sent to call Datan and Aviram? (v.12)

And what does it say about Moshe as a leader and a person?

5. What do Datan and Aviram answer?

The boundaries of their response are clearly marked by a repeating phrase that says it all. Pay attention to the linguistic details here. In the body of the message there is a play on the Land of Milk and Honey. Which land is that? What seems to be at the center of their response?

6. What is Moshe’s reaction? Is it justified? What did God think?

What in Datan’s and Aviram’s case might have set off Moshe? (Remember that in chapter 12 Moshe did not open his mouth when his siblings bad mouthed him, and God had to take up the case.)

7. What does God plan to do as a reaction to the situation? (2 phases)

Notice that just like in other cases, God is willing to give a sweeping punishment, and Moshe objects. Is it possible that more people (not only Datan, Aviram and Korach) deserved to die? In other words, is it possible that such people thrive without some communal backing?

The punishment of Datan and Aviram also functions as the proof that God appointed Moshe. The conflict moves from one between people to a conflict with God.

Part II: Other Biblical Sources

Datan and Aviram are mentioned (by name) twice outside of the story in Numbers. How are they viewed?