Abiram
maleExodusMeaning: “My father is exalted”
A Reubenite, brother of Dathan, who joined Korah’s revolt against Moses and perished when the ground swallowed the rebels.
Biography
Abiram, son of Eliab of the tribe of Reuben and brother of Dathan, was a ringleader of the rebellion against Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 16:1). With Dathan he scorned Moses' summons and his leadership. As Moses warned, the LORD made "a new thing": the earth opened her mouth and swallowed Abiram with the other rebels and their families, and they "went down alive into the pit" (Numbers 16:30–33). Centuries later, when Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho at the cost of his sons, the echo of this judgment lingered over Israel's memory (Psalm 106:17).
Life Timeline
Perishes with Dathan and Korah as the earth opens
On the Bible timeline
Abiram belongs to the The Exodus & Wilderness era (c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)).
- c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)The Exodus from Egypt
- c. 1446 BCThe Law Given at Sinai
- c. 1406 BCThe Conquest of Canaan
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Abiram
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Abiram appears.
People they appear with
Things in their story
Scripture Appearances
8 verses in 3 booksNumbers6 verses
Numbers 16:1
Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
Numbers 16:12
And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
Numbers 16:24
Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
Numbers 16:25
And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
Numbers 16:27
So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
Numbers 26:9
And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:
Deuteronomy1 verse
Deuteronomy 11:6
And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben: how the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all the substance that was in their possession, in the midst of all Israel: substance: or, living substance which followed them was: Heb. was at their feet
Psalms1 verse
Psalms 106:17
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.
Frequently asked about Abiram
Who was Abiram in the Bible?
A Reubenite, brother of Dathan, who joined Korah’s revolt against Moses and perished when the ground swallowed the rebels.
What does the name Abiram mean?
The name Abiram means “My father is exalted”.
Where does Abiram appear in the Bible?
Abiram is mentioned 8 times across 3 books: Numbers, Deuteronomy, Psalms.
What can we learn from Abiram?
The story of Abiram touches on themes of dathan, levites, the, priests, abiram — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Abiram's life.
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