(Numb. 16:1:) NOW KORAH BEN IZHAR BEN KOHATH BEN LEVI BETOOK HIMSELF. This text is related (to Prov. 18:19): A BROTHER OFFENDED (rt.: PSh') IS MORE FORMIDABLE THAN A FORTIFIED CITY; SUCH CONTENTIONS ARE LIKE A CASTLE BAR. The BROTHER OFFENDED is Korah, in that he sided against Moses.¹., Numb.5:1; Numb. R. 18:1, 14. So he rebelled and sank from whatever glory that he possessed. Now OFFENDED (rt: PSh') can only imply rebellion, since it is stated (in II Kings 3:7): THE KING OF MOAB HAS REBELLED (PSh') AGAINST ME. It also says (in II Kings 8:22): THEN DID LIBNAH REBEL (rt.: PSh'). (Prov. 18:19:) SUCH CONTENTIONS ARE LIKE A CASTLE BAR. These words also refer to Korah, who sided (PSh') against the Holy One and against Moses.²., Numb.5:1. He would have the text read: “The earth raised its bars against him as if it were a castle.” This explanation is also given by Issachar Berman Ashkenazi in his commentary, Mattenot Kehunnah, on Numb. R. 18:1.

footnotes: ¹ Tanh ² See the commentary of Enoch Zundel on the parallel text in Tanh