Numbers 12:1-8

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?"

Numbers 12:1-8 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.

Cross References

• 1. +212.3Ben Sira 45.4.
• 2. 12.7Hebrews 3.2.

Footnotes

• [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.