John Calvin Commentary Numbers 16:24

"Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram." — Numbers 16:24 (ASV)

Speak to the congregation, saying. It is evident from this answer that Moses was heard regarding the general preservation of the people, on condition, however, that they should give proof of their repentance by deserting the authors of the wicked rebellion. For when God commands them to retire from among them, He indirectly implies that if they remain mixed up with them, they will share in the same destruction.

Yet it is probable that the elders who “followed” Moses held to his side and continued firm in performing their duty. Indeed, it is highly unlikely that Caleb and Joshua, and others like them, were ever drawn away into so great a sin. Therefore, we must not take what is said of the whole congregation without exception.

When Moses, in delivering God’s command, does not address Korah, Dathan, and Abiram by their names but calls them “these wicked men,” it is not a reviling born of anger, but an urgent form of exhortation. For if he had not so vehemently marked his detestation of them, there was a danger that his words would have been coldly received by many and would have been of little effect.

To the same effect is also what he immediately adds: Lest you be consumed in all their sins; as if he had said, that the contagion of so many and such great crimes might infect you. Since they obeyed Moses, it is clear that many of the multitude had previously been carried away by folly and levity, for deliberate iniquity would not have been so quickly or so easily corrected.

But on the other hand, the astonishing insensibility of Dathan and Abiram is described, in that they came out undaunted with their wives and children. Still, it is not to be doubted that they were terrified after they saw themselves deprived of all aid and support. Although the withdrawal of the people disturbed them, they nevertheless stood like maniacs, nor did fear overcome them or prevent them from proceeding in their fatal audacity to their doom. Thus⁹⁸ the wicked often stand astounded, yet in their fear they in no way think of appeasing God.

⁹⁸ This final sentence omitted in Fr.