hes, 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."

3. Now Corah, when he said this, had a mind to appear to take care of
the public welfare, but in reality he was endeavoring to procure to have
that dignity transferred by the multitude to himself. Thus did he, out
of a malignant design, but with plausible words, discourse to those of
his own tribe; when these words did gradually spread to