Matthew Henry on Numbers 16:1-11
Here is, I. An account of the rebels, who and what they were, not, as formerly, the mixed multitude and the dregs of the people, who are therefore never named, but men of distinction and quality, that made a figure. Korah was the ring-leader: he formed and headed the faction; therefore it is called the gainsaying of Korah, Jde 1:11. He was cousin-german to Moses, they were brothers' children, yet the nearness of the relation could not restrain him from being insolent and rude to Moses. Think it not strange if a man's foes be those of his own house. With him joined Dathan and Abiram, chief men of the tribe of Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob. Probably Korah was disgusted both at the preferment…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 16:6
Take your censers, Korah, and all his company, &c.--that is, since you aspire to the priesthood, then go, perform the highest function of the office--that of offering incense; and if you are accepted well. How magnanimous the conduct of Moses, who was now as willing that God's people should be priests, as formerly that they should be prophets (Num 11:29). But he warned them that they were making a perilous experiment.
John Gill on Numbers 16:6
This do, take you censers,.... Vessels to put incense in to offer, which was the business of the priests:
Korah, and all his company; the two hundred fifty princes that were with him, for so many we read took censers, and offered incense, Numbers 16:18.
John Calvin on Numbers 16:5-7
And he spoke unto Korah. Moses did not inconsiderately choose this mode of divination, but by the dictation of the Spirit maintained the priesthood of his brother by this token and testimony; for we know how, in matters of doubt and obscurity, he was accustomed to inquire what God's pleasure was. He did not, therefore, at this time make this proposal hastily and at random, but by the inspiration of the Spirit had recourse to the sure judgment of God. The effect of his prayer was that God suggested an easy and expeditious mode of conquest.
He bids them take their censers, that by their incense-offering it might be manifested whether their oblation was acceptable to God. By deferring it to th…
