on that account, (he of the same tribe with Moses, and of kin to
him,) was particularly grieved, because he thought he better
deserved that honorable post on account of great riches, and not
inferior to him in his birth. So he raised a clamor against him
among the Levites, who were of the same tribe, and among his
kindred, saying, "That it was a very sad thing that they should
overlook Moses, while hunted after and paved the way to glory for
himself, and by ill arts should obtain it, under the pretense of
God's command, while, contrary to laws, he had given the
priesthood to Aaron, the common suffrage of the multitude, but by
his own vote, as bestowing dignities in a way on whom he
pleased." He added, "That this concealed way of imposing on them
was harder to be borne than if it had been done by an open force
upon them, because he did now not only their power without their
consent, but even they were unapprised of his contrivances
against them; for whosoever is conscious to himself that he
deserves any dignity, aims to get it by persuasion, and not by an
arrogant method of violence; those that believe it impossible to
obtain honors justly, make a show of goodness, and do not
introduce force, but by cunning tricks grow wickedly powerful.
That it was proper for the multitude to punish such men, even
while they think themselves concealed in their designs, and not
suffer them to gain strength till they have them for their open
enemies. For what account," added he, "is Moses able to give, why
he has bestowed the priesthood on Aaron and his sons? for if God
had determined to bestow that honor on one of the tribe of Levi,
I am more worthy of it than he is; I myself being equal to Moses
by my family, and superior to him both in riches and in age: but
if God had determined to bestow it on the eldest be, that of
Reuben might have it most justly; and then Dathan, and Abiram,