[(Numb. 16:26:) PLEASE MOVE AWAY FROM THE TENTS OF THESE WICKED PEOPLE.] Our masters have taught: Four types of people are called wicked:⁴⁵., Numb.5:8, cont.; Numb. R. 18:12, cont.; cf. PRK 30 (p.190b in Buber text; “Additional Piska” 28:2 in Braude’s translation).

footnotes: ⁴⁵ Tanh

The one who extends his hand against his companion to strike him. Even though he did not actually strike him, he is called wicked, as stated (in Exod. 2:13): SO HE SAID TO THE WICKED ONE: WHY WOULD YOU STRIKE⁴⁶ 58b; Rashi on Exod.2:13. YOUR COMRADE? "Why did you strike?" is not stated here but WHY WOULD YOU STRIKE?

The one who borrows and does not repay, as stated (in Ps. 37:21): THE WICKED PERSON BORROWS BUT DOES NOT REPAY.⁴⁷ 2:9.

[Also the one who has an insolent face but does not feel shame from someone greater than himself, as stated (Prov. 21:29): A WICKED PERSON PUTS ON A BRAZEN FACE.]

And the one who is the author of dissension, as stated (in Numb. 16:26): PLEASE MOVE AWAY FROM THE TENTS OF THESE WICKED [PEOPLE].

footnotes: ⁴⁶ The midrash understands the verb in accord with post-biblical usage and is stressing the fact that the tense is future. So also Sanh. ⁴⁷ Avot

Now two of these traits were in Dathan and Abiram, i.e., an insolent face and dissension (MHLQT). MHLQT ("dissension") is interpreted through its letters. M is for makkah ("striking"); H is for herem ("destruction"); L is for liqquy ("blemish"); Q is for qelalah ("curse"); and T is for to 'evah ("abomination"). But some say that T stands for takhlit ("end"), since dissension brings annihilation to the world.