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[14]
Corah, a Hebrew of principal account, both by his family and by his
wealth, one that was also able to speak well, and one that could easily
persuade the people by his speeches, saw that Moses was in an exceeding
great dignity, and was at it, and envied him on that account, (he of the
same tribe with Moses, and of kin to him,) was particularly grieved, because
he thought he better deserved that honorable post on account of great riches,
and not inferior to him in his birth. So he raised a clamor against him
among the Levites, who were of the same tribe, and among his kindred, saying,
"That it was a very sad thing that they should overlook Moses, while
hunted after and paved the way to glory for himself, and by ill arts should
obtain it, under the pretense of God's command, while, contrary to laws,
he had given the priesthood to Aaron, the common suffrage of the multitude,
but by his own vote, as bestowing dignities in a way on whom he pleased."
He added, "That this concealed way of imposing on them was harder
to be borne than if it had been done by an open force upon them, because
he did now not only their power without their consent, but even they were
unapprised of his contrivances against them; for whosoever is conscious
to himself that he deserves any dignity, aims to get it by persuasion,
and not by an arrogant method of violence; those that believe it impossible
to obtain honors justly, make a show of goodness, and do not introduce
force, but by cunning tricks grow wickedly powerful. That it was proper
for the multitude to punish such men, even while they think themselves
concealed in their designs, and not suffer them to gain strength till they
have them for their open enemies. For what account," added he, "is
Moses able to give, why he has bestowed the priesthood on Aaron and his
sons? for if God had determined to bestow that honor on one of the tribe
of Levi, I am more worthy of it than he is; I myself being equal to Moses
by my family, and superior to him both in riches and in age: but if God
had determined to bestow it on the eldest be, that of Reuben might have
it most justly; and then Dathan, and Abiram, and [On, the son of] Peleth,
would have it; for these are the oldest men of that tribe, and potent on
account of their great wealth also."
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