Numbers 12:10-16

10 As the cloud moved away from the tent, Miriam's [skin] suddenly became diseased, as [white] as snow. When Aaron turned toward her, he saw that she was diseased

11 and said to Moses, "My lord, please don't hold against us this sin we have so foolishly committed.

12 Please don't let her be like a dead [baby] whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes out of his mother's womb."

13 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, "God, please heal her!"^[a]

14 The Lord answered Moses, "If her father had merely spit in her face, wouldn't she remain in disgrace for seven days? Let her be confined outside the camp^[b] for seven days;^[c] after that she may be brought back in."

15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until Miriam was brought back in.^[d]

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] Gn 20:17; Ex 15:26; Lv 14:3; Dt 32:39
• [b] Nm 5:1-4; Lv 13:46; 2 Kg 15:5
• [c] Lv 13:4
• [d] Lv 14:2,8