161 And Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, taketh both Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, 2 and they rise up before Moses, with men of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty, princes of the company, called of the convention, men of name, 3 and they are assembled against Moses and against Aaron, and say unto them, 'Enough of you! for all the company—all of them 'are' holy, and in their midst 'is' Jehovah; and wherefore do ye lift yourselves up above the assembly of Jehovah?' 4 And Moses heareth, and falleth on his face, 5 and he speaketh unto Korah, and unto all his company, saying, 'Morning!—and Jehovah is knowing those who are his, and him who is holy, and hath brought near unto Him; even him whom He doth fix on He bringeth near unto Him. 6 This do: take to yourselves censers, Korah, and all his company, 7 and put in them fire, and put on them perfume, before Jehovah to-morrow, and it hath been, the man whom Jehovah chooseth, he 'is' the holy one;—enough of you, sons of Levi.' 8 And Moses saith unto Korah, 'Hear ye, I pray you, sons of Levi; 9 is it little to you that the God of Israel hath separated you from the company of Israel to bring you near unto Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the company to serve them?— 10 yea, He doth bring thee near, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee—and ye have sought also the priesthood! 11 Therefore, thou and all thy company who are met 'are' against Jehovah; and Aaron, what 'is' he, that ye murmur against him?'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 16:1-11
Commentary on Numbers 16:1-11
(Read Numbers 16:1-11)
Pride and ambition occasion a great deal of mischief both in churches and states. The rebels quarrel with the settlement of the priesthood upon Aaron and his family. Small reason they had to boast of the people's purity, or of God's favour, as the people had been so often and so lately polluted with sin, and were now under the marks of God's displeasure. They unjustly charge Moses and Aaron with taking honour to themselves; whereas they were called of God to it. See here, 1. What spirit levellers are of; those who resist the powers God has set over them. 2. What usage they have been serviceable. Moses sought instruction from God. The heart of the wise studies to answer, and asks counsel of God. Moses shows their privileges as Levites, and convicts them of the sin of undervaluing these privileges. It will help to keep us from envying those above us, duly to consider how many there are below us.