God punished discord severely, for although the decree of Heaven does
not otherwise punish any one below twenty years of age, at Korah's
rebellion the earth swallowed alive even children that were only a day
old - men, women, and children, all together. [587] Out of all the
company of Korah and their families only four persons escaped ruin, to
wit: On, the son of Peleth, and Korah's three sons. As it was Korah's
wife who through her inciting words plunged her husband into
destruction, so to his wife does On owe his salvation. Truly to these
two women applies the proverb: "Every wise woman buildeth her house:
but the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands." On, whose
abilities had won him distinction far beyond that of his father, had
originally joined Korah's rebellion. When he arrived home and spoke of
it to his wife, she said to him: "What benefit shalt thou reap from it?
Either Moses remains master and thou art his disciple, or Korah becomes
master and thou art his disciple." On saw the truth of this argument,
but declared that he felt it incumbent upon himself to adhere to Korah
because he had given him his oath, which he could not now take back.
His wife quieted him, however, entreating him to stay at home. To be
quite sure of him, however, she gave him wine to drink, whereupon he
fell into a deep sleep of intoxication. His wife now carried out her
work of salvation, saying to herself: "All the congregation are holy,
and being such, they will approach no woman whose hair is uncovered."
She now showed herself at the door of the tent with streaming hair, and
whenever one out of the company of Korah, about to go to On, saw the
woman in this condition, he started back, and owing to this schemer
husband had no part in the rebellion. When the earth opened to swallow
Korah's company, the bed on which On still slept began to rock, and to
roll to the opening in the earth. On's wife, however, seized it,
saying: "O Lord of the world! My husband made a solemn vow never again
to take part in dissensions. Thou that livest and endurest to all
eternity canst punish him hereafter if ever he prove false to his vow."
God heard her plea, and On was saved. She now requested On to go to
Moses, but he refused, for he was ashamed to look into Moses' face
after he had rebelled against him. His wife then went to Moses in his
stead. Moses at first evaded her, for he wished to have nothing to do
with women, but as she wept and lamented bitterly, she was admitted and
told Moses all that had occurred. He now accompanied her to her house,
at the entrance of which he cried: "On, the son of Peleth, step forth,
God will forgive thee thy sins." It is with reference to this
miraculous deliverance and to his life spent in doing penance that this
former follower of Korah was called On, "the penitent," son of Peleth,
"miracle." His true name was Nemuel, the son of Eliab, a brother of
Dathan and Abiram. [588]
More marvelous still than that of On was the salvation of Korah's three
sons. For when the earth yawned to swallow Korah and his company, these
cried: "Help us, Moses!" The Shekinah hereupon said: "If these men were
to repent, they should be saved; repentance do I desire, and naught
else." Korah's three sons now simultaneously determined to repent their
sin, but they could not open their mouths, for round about them burned
the fire, and below them gaped hell. [589] God was, however, satisfied
with their good thought, and in the sight of all Israel, for their
salvation, a pillar arose in hell, upon which they seated themselves.
There did they sit and sing praises and song to the Lord sweeter than
ever mortal ear had heard, so that Moses and all Israel hearkened to
them eagerly. They were furthermore distinguished by God in receiving
from Him the prophetic gift, and they then announced in their songs
events that were to occur in the future world. They said: "Fear not the
day on which the Lord will 'take hold of the ends of the earth, and the
wicked be shaken out of it,' for the pious will cling to the Throne of
Glory and will find protection under the wings of the Shekinah. Fear
not, ye pious men, the Day of Judgement, for the judgement of sinners
will have as little power over you as it had over us when all the
others perished and we were saved." [590]