John Calvin Commentary Numbers 16:34

"And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them; for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up." — Numbers 16:34 (ASV)

And all Israel that were round about them. We must suppose that the people were standing around, expecting at a distance the event that was to take place, for they had previously retired from the tents as a sign of their separation (from this wicked company).¹⁰⁰ That they should now fly in confusion, lest the same destruction should overwhelm themselves, is a sign of their bad conscience, which is always troubled in itself and agitates the wicked with great restlessness.

Indeed, it is necessary that even the pious should be alarmed by God’s judgments, so that their consternation or dread should instruct them¹⁰¹ in His holy fear; therefore, they never reflect without dread on the punishments God has inflicted upon the crimes of men. But, since hypocrites carry a hot iron in their hearts, as it were, they fall down like dead men, as if lightning fell from God upon their own heads. Thus, we will soon see that this blind fear was of little benefit to them.

¹⁰⁰ Added from Fr.

¹⁰¹ “A s’humilier devant luy;” to humble themselves before Him. — Fr.