For a time this work was carried on secretly. As soon, however, as the movement had gained sufficient strength to warrant an open rupture, Korah appeared at the head of the faction, and publicly accused Moses and Aaron of usurping authority which Korah and his associates were equally entitled to share. It was charged, further, that the people had been deprived of their liberty and independence. "Ye take too much upon you," said the conspirators, "seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?"

I nogen tid foregik alt i hemmelighed, men da bevægelsen var blevet så stærk, at dens ledere anså tidspunktet for at være inde til at fremkalde et åbent brud, trådte Kora frem som klikens leder og beskyldte offentligt Moses og Aron for at have tilrevet sig en myndighed, som Kora og hans tilhængere havde lige så stor ret til. De klagede også over, at folket var blevet berøvet deres frihed og uafhængighed. "Lad det nu være nok," sagde de sammensvorne, "thi hele menigheden er hellig, hver og een, og Herren er i dens midte; hvorfor vil I da ophøje Eder over Herrens forsamling?"