They fell upon their faces To beg mercy for the people; thus rendering good for evil. Put on incense Which was a sign of intercession, and was to be accompanied with it. Go unto the congregation He went with the incense to stir up the people to repentance and prayer, to prevent their utter ruin. This he might do upon this extraordinary occasion, having God's command for his warrant, though ordinarily incense was to be offered only in the tabernacle.
Related Commentaries of Numbers 16:45
Numbers 16:45-46
45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.
46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.