And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
The Lord spake ... Separate yourselves from among this congregation. Curiosity to witness the exciting spectacle attracted a vast concourse of the people; and it would seem that the popular mind had been incited to evil by the clamours of the mutineers against Moses and Aaron. There was something in their behaviour very offensive to God; because after His glory had appeared-as at the installation of Aaron (Leviticus 9:23) - so now for his confirmation in the sacred office, He made Moses and Aaron withdraw from the assembly, 'that He might consume them in a moment.'