But Moses was very wroth, and he would not hearken, but cried, “Earth seize him!”
Then the earth seized him to the waist.
Korah pleaded for his life. He said, “I will do all thou desirest of me, only release me!”
But Moses cried again, “Earth, seize him!”
And the earth gulped him down as far as his breast, and his hands were under the earth.
Once more he cried, “Moses! spare me and release me, because of our relationship!”
Moses was filled with bitterness, and he bade the earth swallow him; and he went down quick into the pit, and was seen no more.
Then, when Moses was returning thanks to God, the Lord turned His face away from him and said, “Thy servant asked of thee forgiveness so many times, and thou didst not forgive him.”
Moses answered, “O Lord, I desired that he should ask pardon of Thee and not of me.”
The Lord said, “If he had cried but once to Me, I would have forgiven him.”[557]