Who was Peleth in the Bible?

Peleth was a man from the tribe of Reuben, known only as the father of On. On was one of the prominent figures who joined Korah's rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:1).

Why is Peleth mentioned in the Bible?

Peleth is mentioned to establish the lineage of his son, On, a key conspirator in Korah's rebellion. This rebellion challenged God-appointed authority and serves as a sobering lesson about the consequences of such defiance.

What happened to Peleth's son, On?

The Bible records that On, son of Peleth, joined Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in rebelling against Moses. As a result of this rebellion, the earth opened and swallowed them and their households as a divine judgment (Numbers 16:31-33).

Peleth

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleFather

Peleth, a Reubenite; father of On who joined Korah's rebellion against Moses.

Peleth

Biography

Peleth was a Reubenite whose son On became entangled in one of the most serious rebellions against divinely appointed leadership recorded in the Pentateuch. According to Numbers 16:1, On son of Peleth joined Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in challenging the authority of Moses and Aaron, questioning their exclusive claim to leadership over the congregation of Israel. The rebellion alleged that Moses had exalted himself above the assembly, though all the people were holy. While the dramatic judgment that followed, in which the earth swallowed the principal rebels and fire consumed their associates, is vividly described, On son of Peleth notably disappears from the narrative. Rabbinic tradition suggests he withdrew from the conspiracy before judgment fell, though Scripture itself is silent on his fate.

Significance

Peleth's significance derives from his son On's involvement in Korah's rebellion, an event that became a definitive biblical warning against challenging God-ordained authority. The rebellion tested a foundational principle of Israel's theocratic order: that leadership roles were divinely assigned, not democratically claimed. The mysterious disappearance of On from the story has intrigued interpreters for centuries, suggesting the possibility of repentance and withdrawal before judgment fell. Peleth's family thus potentially illustrates both the danger of presumption and the mercy available to those who turn back. The episode is echoed in Jude 11, where Korah's rebellion serves as a warning to the early church.

Authority Records

Wikidata

ChildOn

Verse Appearances (1)

Numbers

Numbers 16:1

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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