Numbers 12

1 Moses had married a Cushite woman, and Miriam and Aaron criticized him for it.
2 They said, "Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn't he also spoken through us?" The Lord heard what they said
3 (Moses was a humble man, more humble than anyone else on earth.) 1
4 Suddenly the Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, "I want the three of you to come out to the Tent of my presence." They went,
5 and the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance of the Tent, and called out, "Aaron! Miriam!" The two of them stepped forward,
6 and the Lord said, "Now hear what I have to say! When there are prophets among you, I reveal myself to them in visions and speak to them in dreams.
7 It is different when I speak with my servant Moses; I have put him in charge of all my people Israel. 2
8 So I speak to him face-to-face, clearly and not in riddles; he has even seen my form! How dare you speak against my servant Moses?"
9 The Lord was angry with them; and so as he departed
10 and the cloud left the Tent, Miriam's skin was suddenly covered with a dreaded disease and turned as white as snow. When Aaron looked at her and saw that she was covered with the disease,
11 he said to Moses, "Please, sir, do not make us suffer this punishment for our foolish sin.
12 Don't let her become like something born dead with half its flesh eaten away."
13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, "O God, heal her!"
14 The Lord answered, "If her father had spit in her face, she would have to bear her disgrace for seven days. So let her be shut out of the camp for a week, and after that she can be brought back in." 3
15 Miriam was shut out of the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until she was brought back in.
16 Then they left Hazeroth and set up camp in the wilderness of Paran.

Numbers 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.

Cross References 3

  • 1. +212.3Ben Sira 45.4.
  • 2. 12.7Hebrews 3.2.
  • 3. 12.14Numbers 5.2, 3.

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Cushite [(compare Hb 3.7)]; [or] Midianite; [or] Ethiopian.
  • [b]. through; [or] to.
  • [c]. through; [or] to.
  • [d]. [Some ancient translations] When . . . you; [Hebrew unclear.]
  • [e]. I have put . . . Israel; [or] he can be trusted with all my affairs.

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.

Numbers 12 Commentaries

Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.