DATHAH. — An Israelite of the tribe of Reuben who, in the desert, together with his brother Abiron, rebelled against Moses, accusing him of deceiving the people with illusory promises and leading them to ruin. He joined the rather limited and COREA (v.) against the privileges of Aaron’s family. The divine punishment was terrible: Dathan and Abiron were swallowed up by the earth along with their families: Num. 16:1, 12, 24–27; cf. 26:9; Deut. 11:6; Ps. 105 (Heb. 106):17; Ecclus. 45:18–19.
BIBL.: A. Clamer, Les Nouvelles, in La S. Bible, ed. L. Pirot, II, Paris 1940, pp. 339–45, 412.