Midrash
Midrash Tanchuma (Buber), Korach 2 מדרש תנחומא (בובר), קרח ב׳
Part of: Siman 2
Reading: Hebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlyHebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlySimple English onlyFaithful translation onlySide by side
[ד"א] ויקח. אין ויקח אלא לשון משיכת דברים רכים, שמשך כל גדולי ישראל והסנהדראות אחריו, במשה כתיב ויקח משה ואהרן את האנשים האלה וגו' (במדבר א יז), וכן כתיב קח את אהרן ואת בניו וגו' (שם כ כה), הוי ויקח קרח, שבדברים רכים משך לבם.
Another interpretation (of Numb. 16:1): <NOW KORAH … > TOOK.3In this and some of the following sections, the midrash is explaining the fact that the transitive verb, TOOK, has no object. Biblical translations offer solutions such as translating the verb intransitively, e.g., BETOOK HIMSELF, or by supplying an object, e.g., TOOK MEN. TOOK can only be a word for "attracting with persuasive words," in that he attracted all the leaders of Israel and the sanhedria <to follow> after him.4Tanh., Numb.5:1, cont.; Numb. R. 18:2. Concerning Moses it is written (in Numb. 1:17): SO MOSES AND AARON TOOK THESE MEN…. And similarly it is written (in Numb. 20:25): TAKE AARON AND HIS SON <ELEAZAR>…. Ergo (in Numb. 16:1) NOW KORAH < … > TOOK, in that he drew (i.e., took) their hearts with persuasive words.
Another interpretation (of Numb. 16:1): <NOW KORAH … > TOOK.3In this and some of the following sections, the midrash is explaining the fact that the transitive verb, TOOK, has no object. Biblical translations offer solutions such as translating the verb intransitively, e.g., BETOOK HIMSELF, or by supplying an object, e.g., TOOK MEN. TOOK can only be a word for "attracting with persuasive words," in that he attracted all the leaders of Israel and the sanhedria <to follow> after him.4Tanh., Numb.5:1, cont.; Numb. R. 18:2. Concerning Moses it is written (in Numb. 1:17): SO MOSES AND AARON TOOK THESE MEN…. And similarly it is written (in Numb. 20:25): TAKE AARON AND HIS SON <ELEAZAR>…. Ergo (in Numb. 16:1) NOW KORAH < … > TOOK, in that he drew (i.e., took) their hearts with persuasive words.