As they were thus assembled before God, "the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the congregation." The divine warning was communicated to Moses and Aaron, "Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment." But they fell upon their faces, with the prayer, "O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt Thou be wroth with all the congregation?"

Mens de var samlet for Guds åsyn, kom Herrens herlighed til syne for hele menigheden. Gud gav Moses og Aron denne befaling: "Skil Eder ud fra denne menighed, så vil jeg i et nu tilintetgøre den!" Men de faldt på deres ansigt og sagde: "O Gud, du Gud over alt køds ånder, vil du vredes på hele menigheden, fordi en enkelt mand synder?"