Numbers 16:16 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Not in the tabernacle, which was not capable of so many persoms severally offering incense, but at the door of the tabernacle, Numbers 16:18, which place is oft said to be before the Lord, as Exodus 29:42 Leviticus 1:11, &c.; where they might now lawfully offer it by Moses's direction upon this extraordinary occasion and necessity, because this work could not be done in that place, which alone was allowed for the offering up of incense, not only from its smallness, but also because none but priests might enter to do this work. Here also the people, who wcrc to be instructed by this experiment, might see the proof and success of it.