Matthew Poole and continuators on Numbers 16:3

3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses, and against Aaron , and said unto them, ye take too much upon you , seeing all the congregation are holy , every one of them, and the LORD is among them : wherefore then lift ye up your selves above the congregation of the LORD?

(i. e.) Either, Korah and the 250 Princes, which may seem probable by comparing this with ver. 12, 25, 27. where we find Dathan and Abiram in another place, even in their tents, whither it is likely they were gone by consent to form and strengthen their party there, while Korah and the rest went to Moses. Or, Korah, Dathan and Abiram and the rest, who were all together when Moses spake those words ver. 5, 6, 7. but after that Dathan and Abiram retired to their tents, and then Moses sent for Korah and the Levites, who had more special and more colourable pretences to the Priesthood and treats with them apart, and speaks what is mentioned ver. 8, 9, 10, 11. and then having dispatched them he sends for Dathan and Abiram ver. 12. that he might reason the case with them also apart.

Against Aaron, to whom the Priesthood was confined, and against Moses, both because this was done by his order, and because before Aarons consecration Moses appropriated it to himself. For whatever they intended, they seem not now directly to strike at Moses for his supreme civil government, but onely for his interest and influence in the disposal of the Priesthood, as may appear by the whole context, and particularly by ver. 5, 10, 15, &c.

By perpetuating the Priesthood in your selves and family, with the exclusion of all others from it.

A kingdom of Priests, an holy nation, as they are called, Exod. 19. 6. a people separated to the service of God, and therefore no less fit to present themselves before God, and to offer sacrifice and incense for themselves than you are.

By his Tabernacle and cloud, the tokens of his special and gracious presence, and therefore ready to receive all their sacrifices and services from their own hands.

Thou Moses by prescribing what laws thou pleasest about the Priesthood and confining it to thy brother and thou Aaron by usurping it as thy peculiar priviledge.

Marginal references: Psal. 106. 16.; Heb. it is much for you.