Tafsir of Al-Qasas 28:78

{On knowledge} Meaning: Upon merit and desert, due to the knowledge I possess, by which I have been favored over the people. It is said that he was the most knowledgeable of the Children of Israel regarding the Torah.

It is also said: It refers to the science of alchemy. Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyib narrated: Moses (peace be upon him) knew the science of alchemy. He imparted one-third of it to Joshua son of Nun, one-third to Caleb son of Jephunneh, and one-third to Korah (Qarun). Korah deceived the other two, adding their knowledge to his own, such that he would take lead and copper and turn them into gold.

Another view: God taught Moses alchemy; Moses taught it to his sister, and his sister taught it to Korah.

Another view: It refers to his insight into various types of trade, estate management, and other means of earning.

{With me} Meaning: In my opinion. Just as you say, "The matter, in my view, is such-and-such." It is as if he said: "I was only given it on account of knowledge," similar to the Almighty’s saying: {Then, when We bestow upon him a favor from Us, he says, "I have only been given it because of knowledge."} (Az-Zumar: 49). Then he added "with me," meaning: It is, in my opinion and judgment, like this.

It is possible that this is an affirmation of his knowledge that God had destroyed generations before him who were stronger and wealthier than he, because he had read this in the Torah, was informed of it by Moses, and heard it from the keepers of history and chronicles. It is as if it were said: "Does he not know—among the knowledge he possesses—this fact, so that he might not be deluded by the abundance of his wealth and power?"

It is also possible that it is a negation of his knowledge of that. Because when he said, "I was given it on account of knowledge I possess," he boasted of his knowledge and magnified himself through it. It was said: Does he possess such knowledge—the kind he claimed and by which he deemed himself deserving of every favor—yet he does not know this beneficial knowledge by which he might protect himself from the fates of the destroyed?

{And more numerous in accumulation} Meaning: Of wealth, or more numerous in followers and numbers.

If you ask: What is the connection between the saying {And the criminals will not be asked about their sins} and what precedes it?

I say: When he mentioned those who were destroyed before him—those who were stronger and wealthier than he—it was said as a threat to him: God is aware of the sins of the criminals; He has no need to ask them about them or inquire. He is capable of punishing them for them, similar to the Almighty’s saying: {And God is All-Aware of what you do} (Al-Imran: 153), and other similar verses.

{So he went out before his people in his adornment. Those who desired the worldly life said, "Oh, would that we had like what was given to Korah. Indeed, he is one of great fortune."}