Rabbi Abba bar Aivu said: It would have been sufficient had it mentioned here only the family alone. Why does it mention the entire tribe, as it says: “The tribe of the Kehatite families [from among the Levites]”? (Numbers 4:18). It is, rather, that the Holy One blessed be He “foretells the outcome from the outset” (Isaiah 46:10), and precedes events that had not yet been done.8Takes into account, in advance, actions that will only take place in the future.
The Holy One blessed be He foresaw that Koraḥ would stand from the families of Kehat and dispute with Moses, as it is stated: “Koraḥ, son of Yitzhar, son of Kehat, [son of Levi]…took” (Numbers 16:1), and that Moses was destined to request before the Lord that the earth swallow them. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Direct your attention, "a remembrance to the children of Israel, so that a non-priestly man will not draw near…[to burn incense before the Lord and he will not be like Koraḥ and like his congregation as the Lord spoke to him at the hand of Moses]”’ (Numbers 17:5).Was the verse lacking anything?
What is “to him”?9It would have been sufficient had the verse said: “As the Lord spoke at the hand of Moses.” “To him” seems superfluous. The Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘Regarding him, I will listen to you, but regarding the entire tribe, I will not listen to you.’ That is why it is stated: “Do not cut off…”