Numbers 12:11-16

11 Aharon said to Moshe, "Oh, my lord, please don't punish us for this sin we committed so foolishly.

12 Please don't let her be like a stillborn baby, with its body half eaten away when it comes out of its mother's womb!"

13 Moshe cried to ADONAI, "Oh God, I beg you, please, heal her!"

14 ADONAI answered Moshe, "If her father had merely spit in her face, wouldn't she hide herself in shame for seven days? So let her be shut out of the camp for seven days; after that, she can be brought back in."

15 Miryam was shut out of the camp seven days, and the people did not travel until she was brought back in.

16 Afterwards, the people went on from Hatzerot and camped in the Pa'ran Desert.

Numbers 12:11-16 Meaning and Commentary

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.