Abi'ram
Jump to: ConcordanceThesaurusSubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Abi'ram is a biblical figure mentioned primarily in the Old Testament. His name, which means "my father is exalted" or "father of height," is associated with rebellion and defiance against divinely appointed leadership.

1. Family and Background:
Abi'ram was a Reubenite, the son of Eliab. He is most notably recognized for his involvement in the rebellion against Moses and Aaron, as recorded in the Book of Numbers. Abi'ram, along with his brother Dathan and another leader named Korah, challenged the authority of Moses during the Israelites' wilderness journey.

2. The Rebellion:
The account of Abi'ram's rebellion is found in Numbers 16. Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan and Abi'ram, incited a revolt against Moses and Aaron, questioning their leadership and the special status of the priesthood. They gathered 250 well-known community leaders to support their cause. The rebels accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the assembly of the Lord.

Numbers 16:1-3 states: "Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 men of Israel renowned as leaders of the congregation and representatives in the assembly. They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, 'You have taken too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?'"

3. Divine Judgment:
In response to the rebellion, Moses sought the Lord's guidance. God instructed Moses to separate the congregation from the rebels. Moses warned the people to move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abi'ram. The earth then opened up and swallowed them, along with their households and all their possessions, as a sign of divine judgment.

Numbers 16:31-33 describes the event: "As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly."

4. Legacy and References:
The rebellion of Abi'ram, along with Dathan and Korah, serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of challenging God's chosen leaders. Their account is referenced in other parts of the Bible as a warning against rebellion and disobedience. In Deuteronomy 11:6, Moses reminds the Israelites of the fate of Dathan and Abi'ram as an example of God's judgment.

Deuteronomy 11:6 states: "and what He did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab the Reubenite, when in the middle of all Israel, the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, along with their households, tents, and every living thing that followed them."

Abi'ram's account is a significant part of the narrative concerning the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, illustrating the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands.
Concordance
Abi'ram (8 Occurrences)

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;
(See RSV)

Numbers 16:12
And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; and they said: 'We will not come up;
(See RSV)

Numbers 16:24
Speak unto the congregation, saying: Get you up from about the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.'
(See RSV)

Numbers 16:25
And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
(See RSV)

Numbers 16:27
So they got them up from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side; and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, and their sons, and their little ones.
(See RSV)

Numbers 26:9
And the sons of Eliab: Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. These are that Dathan and Abiram, the elect of the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD;
(See RSV)

1 Kings 16:34
In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho; with Abiram his first-born he laid the foundation thereof, and with his youngest son Segub he set up the gates thereof; according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by the hand of Joshua the son of Nun.
(See RSV)

Psalms 106:17
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.
(See RSV)

Thesaurus
Abi'ram (8 Occurrences)
Abi'ram. Abiram, Abi'ram. Abiron . Multi-Version Concordance Abi'ram
(8 Occurrences). Numbers 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the ...
/a/abi'ram.htm - 8k

Abiram (9 Occurrences)

/a/abiram.htm - 12k

Abiron

/a/abiron.htm - 7k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Abiram
Top of Page
Top of Page