Numeri 12

1 OR Maria ed Aaronne parlarono contro a Mosè, per cagion della moglie Cusita ch’egli avea presa; perciocchè egli avea presa una moglie Cusita.

2 E dissero: Ha veramente il Signore parlato sol per Mosè? non ha egli eziandio parlato per noi? E il Signore udì queste parole.

3 Or quell’uomo Mosè era molto mansueto, più che altro uomo che fosse in su la terra.

4 E il Signore disse in quello stante a Mosè, e ad Aaronne, e a Maria: Uscite tutti e tre, e venite al Tabernacolo della convenenza. Ed essi uscirono tutti e tre.

5 E il Signore scese nella colonna della nuvola, e si fermò all’entrata del Tabernacolo; e chiamò Aaronne e Maria. E amendue andarono là.

6 E il Signore disse: Ascoltate ora le mie parole: Se v’è fra voi alcun profeta, io, il Signore, mi do a conoscere a lui in visione, o parlo a lui in sogno.

7 Ma non fo così inverso il mio servitore Mosè, il quale è fedele in tutta la mia casa.

8 Io parlo a bocca a bocca con lui, e a veduta, e non con maniere oscure; ed egli vede la sembianza del Signore; perchè dunque non avete voi temuto di parlar contro al mio servitore, contro a Mosè?

9 E l’ira del Signore si accese contro a loro, ed egli se ne andò.

10 E la nuvola si partì d’in sul Tabernacolo; ed ecco, Maria era lebbrosa, bianca come neve; e Aaronne riguardò Maria; ed ecco, era lebbrosa.

11 E Aaronne disse a Mosè: Ahi! Signore mio; deh! non metterci peccato addosso; conciossiachè noi abbiamo follemente fatto, e abbiamo peccato.

12 Deh! non sia ella come un parto morto, la cui carne, quando egli esce del seno di sua madre, è già mezza consumata.

13 E Mosè gridò al Signore, dicendo: Deh! sanala ora, o Dio.

14 E il Signore disse a Mosè: Se suo padre le avesse sputato nel viso, non sarebb’ella tutta vergognosa per sette giorni? Sia rinchiusa fuor del campo sette giorni; poi sia raccolta.

15 Maria adunque fu rinchiusa fuor del campo sette giorni; e il popolo non si mosse, finchè Maria non fu raccolta.

16 (H13-1) POI il popolo si partì di Haserot, e si accampò nel deserto di 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.