דָּתָן (da.tan)
da.tan
Dathan
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Dathan is a proper name in the Hebrew Bible, referring to a specific individual from the tribe of Reuben. The name itself carries the meaning "belonging to a fountain," though its primary significance lies in his role as a historical figure rather than etymological symbolism. He appears eight times across Scripture, with the majority of references located in the book of Numbers.
Dathan is best known as the son of Eliab and the brother of Abiram and Nemuel. He plays a central part in the rebellion described in Numbers 16, where he joins Korah in challenging the authority of Moses. This event marks him as a key antagonist in the wilderness narrative, illustrating the tensions within the Israelite community during their journey.
While his name appears occasionally in later texts such as Psalms and Deuteronomy, these references typically serve to recall the earlier rebellion. The sources do not suggest any deeper theological nuance beyond his identity as a Reubenite chief who opposed Moses’ leadership alongside his brother Abiram.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Dathan appears in Scripture as a man who chose to stand against God’s appointed leadership during Israel’s wilderness journey. His story is not about theological nuance but about the human heart’s tendency to resist authority when it feels inconvenient or misunderstood. The narrative shows him refusing Moses’ invitation, preferring his own comfort over communal obedience.
For believers today, this account serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of pride and division. It illustrates how personal grievances can escalate into open rebellion against divine order. The text highlights the seriousness with which God views challenges to His established structures, urging us to examine our own hearts for similar attitudes of defiance.
Ultimately, Dathan’s fate underscores the importance of humility and submission. While his name is remembered primarily for its negative connotation, it offers a clear lesson on the consequences of rejecting God’s will. We are invited to reflect on our willingness to yield to authority and trust in God’s guidance, even when circumstances are difficult.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Dathan4×
- and/ Dathan3×
- to/ Dathan1×
- [was the] Dathan1×
- <to>/ Dathan1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/דָתָ֨ן2×
- דָּתָ֥ן2×
- לְ/דָתָ֥ן1×
- לְ/דָתָ֣ן1×
- וְ/דָתָ֣ן1×
- דָּתָ֣ן1×
- דָּתָ֑ן1×
- דָתָ֨ן1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 16:12
Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; and they said, “We won’t come up!
This verse captures Dathan's defiant refusal to obey Moses, highlighting the core attitude of rebellion that defines his character in the narrative.
-
Numbers 16:24
“Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Get away from around the tent of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram!’”
Moses' command to separate from Dathan and Abiram emphasizes the need to distance oneself from those who actively oppose God's appointed leaders.
-
Deuteronomy 11:6
and what he did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben—how the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households, their tents, and every living thing that followed them, in the middle of all Israel;
This retrospective reference recalls the dramatic judgment where the earth swallowed Dathan, serving as a lasting warning against rebellion for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dathan in the Bible?
What happened to Dathan?
Why is Dathan mentioned in Psalms?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 3 books)
Numbers 6 verses
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…
Numbers 16:12Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; and they said, “We won’t come up!
Numbers 16:24“Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Get away from around the tent of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram!’”
Numbers 16:25Moses rose up and went to Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
Numbers 16:27So they went away from the tent of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side. Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood at…
Numbers 26:9The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are that Dathan and Abiram who were called by the congregation,…