قارون
Qārūn
Person
A man of Moses’ people whom the Quran gives as the example of wealth that leads to arrogance.
What it means
“Qarun was of the people of Moses, but he oppressed them. We gave him such treasures that the keys alone weighed down a band of strong men” (28:76). His people told him, “Do not exult; God does not love the exultant,” but he claimed his wealth by his own knowledge, and God caused the earth to swallow him (28:78–81).
What the sources say
The Bible calls him Korah (Numbers 16), where the story differs in detail (rebellion against Moses’ leadership). The Quran takes the story for its own lesson, wealth as a test.