Numbers 12:10-16

10 When the cloud went away from over the tent, Miriam had become leprous, as white as snow. And Aaron turned towards Miriam and saw that she was leprous.

11 Then Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord, do not punish us for a sin that we have so foolishly committed.

12 Do not let her be like one stillborn, whose flesh is half consumed when it comes out of its mother's womb."

13 And Moses cried to the Lord, "O God, please heal her."

14 But the Lord said to Moses, "If her father had but spit in her face, would she not bear her shame for seven days? Let her be shut out of the camp for seven days, and after that she may be brought in again."

15 So Miriam was shut out of the camp for seven days; and the people did not set out on the march until Miriam had been brought in again.

16 After that the people set out from Hazeroth, and camped in the wilderness of Paran.

Numbers 12:10-16 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. A term for several skin diseases; precise meaning uncertain
• [b]. Heb [do not lay sin upon us]