From these two verses it is clear that Korah was not just taking the side of the 250 chieftains who wished to assume some form of additional leadership responsibilities within the community of Israel. As a Levite, Korah claimed the special rights of the priesthood that were reserved for Aaron and his sons.

Is it too small a thing for you…?: In Revised Standard Version this rhetorical question does not end until the middle of verse 10. Some languages may prefer to break it up into several sentences (see the model below). It may be more natural to begin this rhetorical question of accusation with “Is it not enough for you…?” (De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling) or “Are you not full up [satisfied, as with food] with this…?” (Chewa). The Hebrew pronouns for you are plural throughout verse 9 since Moses is still addressing Korah and his Levite followers.

That the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel: See 8.14. The God of Israel may be rendered “the God whom Israel worships” or “the God who leads Israel.” For congregation (ʿedah in Hebrew), which is better rendered “community” (Good News Translation), see verse 2. New Living Translation renders this clause as “that the God of Israel has chosen you from among all the community of Israel.”

To bring you near to himself: Bring … near renders the same Hebrew verb (hiqrib) translated “cause … to come near” in verse 5 (see the comments there). Good News Translation uses the verb “approach” in both verses for consistency. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh renders this clause as “and given you access to Him.”

To do service in the tabernacle of the LORD is literally “to do the ministry of the dwelling-place of the LORD.” The Hebrew clause here is similar to the one rendered “as they minister at the tabernacle” in 3.7 (see the comments there). For tabernacle, which renders the Hebrew word mishkan (literally “dwelling-place”), see 1.50.

To stand before the congregation is a figurative expression that means “to serve the community.” Good News Translation uses nonfigurative language here, saying “and minister to the community,” which may be a helpful model for other languages. The Levites normally did “stand” when performing their various religious duties.

To minister to them: This clause has the same meaning as the previous one, so Contemporary English Version combines them by saying “and by helping the community to worship in the proper way,” and so does De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling with “to stand at the service of the whole community.” The repetition here highlights the great privilege of the Levites to work in and around the Tabernacle and serve their fellow Israelites.

And that he has brought you near him, and all your brethren the sons of Levi with you: The Hebrew pronouns for you and your are singular, referring to Korah. New Living Translation makes it clear that Moses is addressing Korah directly at this point by saying “Korah, he has already given this special ministry to you and your fellow Levites.” The Hebrew verb for brought … near (hiqrib) is the same one used in the previous verse, but here the pronoun him is lacking in the Hebrew text. So a more literal rendering for he has brought you near him is “He brought you close” (Alter), “He has advanced you” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “he has allowed you [to do this].” All your brethren the sons of Levi with you may be rendered “all your fellow Levites” (New Century Version).

And would you seek the priesthood also?: This is another accusatory rhetorical question, which Good News Translation makes clear by using the strong statement “and now you are trying to get the priesthood too!” The Hebrew pronoun for you is plural, referring to Korah and his Levite followers. Instead of the verb seek, Bijbel in Gewone Taal and De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling have “demand,” and Chewa uses “desire to gain [for yourself].” Another possibility is “dare to seek.”

New International Readers Version provides a helpful model for verses 9-10 by using shorter sentences as follows:

• 9 The God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the community of Israel. He has brought you near him to work at the LORD’s holy tent. He has given you to the people so that you can serve them. Isn’t all of that enough for you? 10 He has already brought you and all of the other Levites near him. But now you want to be priests too.

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .