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Josephus describes Korah as wealthier than Moses and Aaron, a detail not found in the Hebrew Bible. Jude lists Korah with other well-known opponents and may echo this tradition, suggesting both follow a similar interpretation of Korah’s rebellion.
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Josephus Antiquities of the Jews 4.25
Classical
4 Although Moses had foreseen Korah’s slander for some time and was aware that the people had grown agitated, he was not afraid. He was emboldened by the righteousness of his guidance, knowing that Aaron’s priesthood came at God’s command rather than his own indulgence. So he approached the crowd but addressed Korah alone (without speaking to the rest), shouting to him and pointing to the two hundred fifty men: “O Korah, you and these here appear fully qualified for this honor, nor do I deny that the entire group could be equally worthy, whether or not they are as wealthy or notable as you. But I did not grant this position to my brother because of wealth, for you exceed both of us in riches, nor was it due to noble ancestry, for we share the same lineage. And it was certainly not brotherly affection, though that too might be a justifiable reason.
Date: 93-94 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Jude 1:11
New Testament
10 But these men do not understand the things they slander, and they are being destroyed by the very things that, like irrational animals, they instinctively comprehend. 11 Woe to them! For they have traveled down Cain’s path, and because of greed have abandoned themselves to Balaam’s error; hence, they will certainly perish in Korah’s rebellion. 12 These men are dangerous reefs at your love feasts, feasting without reverence, feeding only themselves. They are waterless clouds, carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit—twice dead, uprooted;
Date: 90-100 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The statement that Korah was distinguished in wealth is Josephus’s extrabiblical addition. Besides two references to Korah’s wealth in Antiquities 4.14, it is mentioned in three other places (4.19, 25, 26). In the last of these passages Moses readily acknowledges that Korah surpasses both himself and Aaron in the magnitude of his possessions. Like Josephus, the Rabbis (Numbers Rabbah 10:3) stress the immensity of Korah’s wealth. Wealth is regarded by the Rabbis as one of the prerequisites for a prophet (b. Nedarim 38a). According to Rabbi Levi, the mere keys of Korah’s treasure-house actually required 400 mules to transport them (b. Pesachim 119a) ..."
Wright, Benjamin G.
Outside the Bible: Ancient Jewish Writings Related to Scripture
(p. 1187) The Jewish Publication Society, 2013
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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