John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And he spake unto Korah, and unto all his company , etc.] The two hundred fifty princes that were with him; what follows was said to them apart from Dathan and Abiram, who seem not to be present at this time; and this was after Moses had finished his prayer to God, and had received instructions from him, by an impulse on his mind, what he should say unto them, and was now risen up from the earth he fell upon: saying, even tomorrow the Lord will show who [are] his ; his priests, whom he had chosen, and put into that office; this he would make known so clearly and plainly, that there would be no room left to doubt of it, and which was revealed to Moses while upon his face in prayer to God: and [who is] holy ; or whom he has separated to such an holy office and service: and will cause [him] to come near unto him ; and do his work as a priest, without fear of danger, and without any hurt, which is suggested would befall others; and they may expect it, who intrude themselves into such an office, and engage their hearts in a bold audacious manner, to draw nigh to God in it: even [him] whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him : meaning Aaron with his sons, whom the Lord would make to appear that he had chosen, and put into the office of priesthood, and that it was not what Moses did of himself.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - Pride and ambition occasion a great deal of mischief both in churche and states. The rebels quarrel with the settlement of the priesthoo 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 ofte and so lately polluted with sin, and were now under the marks of God' 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 ove them. 2. What usage they have been serviceable. Moses sough instruction from God. The heart of the wise studies to answer, and ask counsel of God. Moses shows their privileges as Levites, and convict them of the sin of undervaluing these privileges. It will help to kee us from envying those above us, duly to consider how many there ar below us.
Original Hebrew וידבר1696 אל413 קרח7141 ואל413 כל3605 עדתו5712 לאמר559 בקר1242 וידע3045 יהוה3068 את853 אשׁר834 לו ואת853 הקדושׁ6918 והקריב7126 אליו413 ואת853 אשׁר834 יבחר977 בו יקריב7126 אליו׃413
