Numeri 12

1 Und Mirjam und Aaron redeten wider Mose wegen des kuschitischen Weibes, das er genommen hatte; denn er hatte eine kuschitisches Weib genommen.

2 Und sie sprachen: Hat Jehova nur mit Mose allein geredet? Hat er nicht auch mit uns geredet? Und Jehova hörte es.

3 Der Mann Mose aber war sehr sanftmütig, mehr als alle Menschen, die auf dem Erdboden waren.

4 Da sprach Jehova plötzlich zu Mose und zu Aaron und zu Mirjam: Gehet hinaus, ihr drei, zum Zelte der Zusammenkunft! Und sie gingen hinaus, sie drei.

5 Und Jehova kam in der Wolkensäule hernieder und stand an dem Eingang des Zeltes; und er rief Aaron und Mirjam, und die beiden traten hinaus.

6 Und er sprach: Höret denn meine Worte! Wenn ein Prophet unter euch ist, dem will ich, Jehova, in einem Gesicht mich kundtun, in einem Traume will ich mit ihm reden.

7 Nicht also mein Knecht Mose. Er ist treu in meinem ganzen Hause;

8 mit ihm rede ich von Mund zu Mund, und deutlich und nicht in Rätseln, und das Bild Jehovas schaut er. Und warum habt ihr euch nicht gefürchtet, wider meinen Knecht, wider Mose, zu reden?

9 Und der Zorn Jehovas entbrannte wider sie, und er ging weg.

10 Und die Wolke wich von dem Zelte, und siehe, Mirjam war aussätzig wie Schnee; und Aaron wandte sich zu Mirjam, und siehe, sie war aussätzig.

11 Da sprach Aaron zu Mose: Ach, mein Herr! Lege doch nicht die Sünde auf uns, durch welche wir töricht gehandelt und uns versündigt haben!

12 Möge sie doch nicht sein wie ein totes Kind, dessen Fleisch, wenn es aus seiner Mutter Leibe hervorkommt, zur Hälfte verwest ist!

13 Und Mose schrie zu Jehova und sprach: O Gott, bitte, heile sie doch!

14 Und Jehova sprach zu Mose: Hätte ihr Vater ihr etwa ins Angesicht gespieen, sollte sie sich nicht sieben Tage lang schämen? Sie soll sieben Tage außerhalb des Lagers eingeschlossen werden, und danach mag sie wieder aufgenommen werden.

15 Und Mirjam wurde sieben Tage außerhalb des Lagers eingeschlossen; und das Volk brach nicht auf, bis Mirjam wieder aufgenommen war.

16 Danach aber brach das Volk von Hazeroth auf; und sie lagerten sich in der Wüste Paran.

Numeri 12 Commentary

Chapter 12

God rebukes the murmuring of Aaron and Miriam. (1-9) Miriam struck with leprosy, and healed at the prayer of Moses. (10-16)

Verses 1-9 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, ( Hebrews 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 ( 2 Peter. 2:10 ) 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.

Verses 10-16 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.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBER 12

In this chapter we have an account of Aaron and Miriam speaking against Moses, and for what reason, whose amiable character is given, Nu 12:1-3; and of the Lord's calling them to him, and rebuking them for it, giving an excellent testimony to Moses, and then departing in anger, Nu 12:4-9; and of Miriam's being smitten with leprosy, and Aaron's entreating Moses on his and her account, who prayed to the Lord to heal her, Nu 12:10-13; and of her being ordered to be shut out of the camp seven days, during which time the Israelites stayed at Hazeroth, and then removed to the wilderness of Paran, Nu 12:14-16.