Moses mentions here, as is his custom , the first open transgre ion and its punishment in order to exemplify the laws which he is laying down. The …

And while the children of Israel were in the wilderne ... — It is better rendered, Now the children of Israel were in the wild…

And while the children of Israel. Since we do not know in what year or month this happened, it seemed best to follow the context of Moses.…

And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness
According to Aben Ezra, in the wilderness of Sinai; for it i…

Those are to be considered presumptuous sinners who sin intentionally against God's will and glory. Sins committed in this way are extremely sinful…