Numbers12
English Standard Version
1 and against because the whom he had , he had a .
2And they , Has the Lord indeed through ? Has he through us ? And the Lord it.
3Now the was , more were the of the .
4And the Lord to and to and , Come , you , to the of . And the of them .
5And the Lord came in a of and at the of the and and , and they came .
6And he , my : there is a among you, I the Lord make myself to him in a ; I with him in a .
7 with my . He is in my .
8With him I to , , and in , and he the of the Lord. then were you to against my ?
9And the of the Lord was against them, and he .
10When the the , , was , like . And , and , she was .
11And to , , my , because we done and .
12 her be as one , is when he of his .
13And to the Lord, O , .
14But the Lord to , If her had in her , should she be ? Let her be the , and that she may be again.
15So was the , and the did set out on the was again.
16 that the from , and in the of .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Numbers 12.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: God rebukes the murmuring of Aaron and Miriam. (1–9). Miriam struck with leprosy, and healed at the prayer of Moses. (10–16).
vv1-9
The patience of Moses was tried in his own family, as well as by the people. The pretence was, that he had married a foreign wife; but probably their pride was hurt, and their envy stirred up, by his superior authority. Opposition from our near relations, and from religious friends, is most painful. But this is to be looked for, and it will be well if in such circumstances we can preserve the gentleness and meekness of Moses. Moses was thus fitted to the work he was called to. God not only cleared Moses, but praised him. Moses had the spirit of prophecy in a way which set him far above all other prophets; yet he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he; and our Lord Jesus infinitely excels him, Heb 3:1. Let Miriam and Aaron consider whom it was they insulted. We have reason to be afraid of saying or doing any thing against the servants of God. And those are presumptuous indeed who are not afraid to speak evil of dignities, 2Pe 2:10. The removal of God's presence is the surest and saddest token of God's displeasure. Woe to us, if he depart! he never departs, till by sin and folly we drive him from us.
vv10-16
The cloud departed, and Miriam became leprous. When God goes, evil comes: expect no good when God departs. Her foul tongue, as Bishop Hall says, was justly punished with a foul face. Aaron, as priest, was judge of the leprosy. He could not pronounce her leprous without trembling, knowing himself to be equally guilty. But if she was thus punished for speaking against Moses, what will become of those who sin against Christ? Aaron, who joined his sister in speaking against Moses, is forced for himself and his sister, to beseech him, and to speak highly of him whom he had so lately blamed. Those who trample upon the saints and servants of God, will one day be glad to make court to them. It is well when rebukes produce confession of sin and repentance. Such offenders, though corrected and disgraced, shall be pardoned. Moses made it appear, that he forgave the injury done him. To this pattern of Moses, and that of our Saviour, who said, “Father, forgive them,” we must conform. A reason is given for Miriam's being put out of the camp for seven days; because thus she ought to accept the punishment of her sin. When under the tokens of God's displeasure for sin, it becomes us to take shame to ourselves. This hindered the people's progress in their march forward towards Canaan. Many things oppose us, but nothing so hinders us in the way to heaven, as sin.
Key Words
מִרְיָם: Mirjam, the name of two Israelitesses
אַהֲרוֹן: Aharon, the brother of Moses
דָבַר: perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
מֹשֶׁה: Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
כּוּשִׁית: a Cushite woman
אִשָּׁה: a woman
לָקַח: to take (in the widest variety of applications)
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
אַךְ: a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
Cross References
Numbers 12Direct New Testament parallel identifying Moses as a faithful servant over all God's house.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Establishes Miriam's status as a prophetess, which she and Aaron used to claim equality with Moses.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Moses, Aaron, and Miriam together as leaders sent by God before Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels God speaking with Moses face to face, or mouth to mouth, as with a friend.
Supported by JFB
Affirms that no prophet arose in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.
Moses later commands Israel to remember what God did to Miriam on the way from Egypt.
Identifies Zipporah of Midian (Cushite/Arabian), the wife whose background sparked the sibling jealousy.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels a sacred writer defending his own office and character when forced by opponents.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The same sign of snow-white leprosy previously given to Moses' hand in his call.
Supported by JFB
Parallels King Uzziah being struck with leprosy immediately upon acting presumptuously against God's order.
The context of appointing seventy elders, which commentators note triggered Aaron and Miriam's jealousy.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
A warning against presumptuous speakers who are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels an offender asking an intercessor to pray for healing from a sudden divine judgment.
The legal requirement for a leper to dwell alone outside the camp during uncleanness.
Spitting in the face as an explicit biblical gesture of extreme shame and public disgrace.