Numeri 12

1 Und Mirjam und Aaron redeten wider Mose um seines Weibes willen, der Mohrin, die er genommen hatte, darum daß er eine Mohrin zum Weibe genommen hatte,

2 und sprachen: Redet denn der HERR allein durch Mose? Redet er nicht auch durch uns? Und der HERR hörte es.

3 Aber Mose war ein sehr geplagter Mensch über alle Menschen auf Erden.

4 Und plötzlich sprach der HERR zu Mose und zu Aaron und zu Mirjam: Geht heraus, ihr drei, zu der Hütte des Stifts. Und sie gingen alle drei heraus.

5 Da kam der HERR hernieder in der Wolkensäule und trat in der Hütte Tür und rief Aaron und Mirjam; und die beiden gingen hinaus.

6 Und er sprach: Höret meine Worte: Ist jemand unter euch ein Prophet des HERRN, dem will ich mich kundmachen in einem Gesicht oder will mit ihm reden in einem Traum.

7 Aber nicht also mein Knecht Mose, der in meinem ganzen Hause treu ist.

8 Mündlich rede ich mit ihm, und er sieht den HERRN in seiner Gestalt, nicht durch dunkle Worte oder Gleichnisse. Warum habt ihr euch denn nicht gefürchtet, wider meinen Knecht Mose zu reden?

9 Und der Zorn des HERRN ergrimmte über sie, und er wandte sich weg;

10 dazu die Wolke wich auch von der Hütte. Und siehe da war Mirjam aussätzig wie der Schnee. Und Aaron wandte sich zu Mirjam und wird gewahr, daß sie aussätzig ist,

11 Und sprach zu Mose: Ach, mein Herr, laß die Sünde nicht auf uns bleiben, mit der wir töricht getan und uns versündigt haben,

12 daß diese nicht sei wie ein Totes, das von seiner Mutter Leibe kommt und ist schon die Hälfte seines Fleisches gefressen.

13 Mose aber schrie zu dem HERRN und sprach: Ach Gott, heile sie!

14 Der HERR sprach zu Mose: Wenn ihr Vater ihr ins Angesicht gespieen hätte, sollte sie sich nicht sieben Tage schämen? Laß sie verschließen sieben Tage außerhalb des Lagers; darnach laß sie wieder aufnehmen.

15 Also ward Mirjam sieben Tage verschlossen außerhalb des Lagers. Und das Volk zog nicht weiter, bis Mirjam aufgenommen ward.

16 Darnach zog das Volk von Hazeroth und lagerte sich in die Wüste Pharan.

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.