Korach 16:21 · unit 1 — separate from this congregation

Parashas Korach · Aliyah 3 · Passuk 21

The Complete Passuk

הִבָּ֣דְל֔וּ מִתּ֖וֹךְ הָעֵדָ֣ה הַזֹּ֑את וַאֲכַלֶּ֥ה אֹתָ֖ם כְּרָֽגַע׃

Separate yourselves from the midst of this congregation, and I will consume them in a moment.

Torah Temimah: the command to withdraw so that the judgment fall only on the rebels.

Core Text

הִבָּדְלוּ מִתּוֹךְ הָעֵדָה הַזֹּאת וַאֲכַלֶּה אֹתָם כְּרָגַע.

English: Separate yourselves from the midst of this congregation, and I will consume them in a moment.

Separation before judgment.

The innocent are ordered out so the decree can strike the quarrel without sweeping the whole camp.