Numbers 16:30 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord."

This verse comes from the book of Numbers, which is the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. The book presents the events of the Israelites' journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab, near the Jordan River. This particular verse is part of the story of Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron, in which Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with 250 leaders of the congregation, challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron and sought to take the leadership of the Israelites for themselves.

The verse begins with the conditional clause "But if the Lord make a new thing," which sets the stage for the miraculous nature of the punishment that is about to be described. The Earth opening her mouth and swallowing up the rebels is a manifestation of God's power and judgment. The imagery of the Earth swallowing the rebellious individuals is a striking visual symbol of divine retribution and the consequences of defying God's chosen leaders.

The idea of the Earth opening up and swallowing the rebels is a theme that appears in other parts of the Bible as well. In the book of Deuteronomy, for example, it is mentioned as a punishment for disobedience to God's commandments. This emphasizes the severity of the punishment and the divine nature of the retribution.

The phrase "and they go down quick into the pit" further conveys the immediacy and finality of the punishment. The rebels are not just swallowed by the Earth, but they also go down quickly into the pit, signifying their swift and irreversible descent into destruction. This highlights the gravity of their actions and the swiftness of God's judgment upon them.

The verse concludes with the statement "then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord," which serves as a warning and a lesson for the Israelites and future readers of the Bible. The dramatic and supernatural nature of the punishment is meant to make it clear to the Israelites that the rebels' actions have deeply angered and provoked the Lord. It serves as a potent reminder of the consequences of challenging God's appointed leaders and defying His authority.

The broader context of this verse is the theme of obedience, authority, and the consequences of rebellion. Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of the importance of obeying God’s appointed leaders and the severe consequences of rebellion against them. In this specific case, the rebellion of Korah and his followers not only resulted in their own destruction but also caused a plague to be unleashed upon the Israelites as a consequence of their actions. This serves as a powerful illustration of the principle that disobedience and rebellion against God's chosen leaders can have far-reaching and devastating effects.

In terms of symbolism, the Earth opening her mouth to swallow the rebels can be seen as a representation of justice and divine retribution. The image of the Earth, which is often associated with fertility and provision, turning against the rebels underscores the severity of their actions and the righteousness of God's judgment. It also serves as a humbling reminder of the limits of human power and the sovereignty of God.

Overall, Numbers 16:30 is a powerful and evocative verse that conveys the themes of obedience, authority, and the consequences of rebellion in a dramatic and unforgettable manner. It serves as a cautionary tale and a reminder of the importance of submitting to God's appointed leaders and honoring His authority. The imagery and language used in this verse leave a lasting impression and reinforce the message of the severity of defying God's will.