Numbers 12:1-8

1 Miryam and Aharon spoke against Moshe because of the Kushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Kushite woman.

2 They said, Has the LORD indeed spoken only with Moshe? Hasn't he spoken also with us? the LORD heard it.

3 Now the man Moshe was very humble, above all the men who were on the surface of the eretz.

4 The LORD spoke suddenly to Moshe, and to Aharon, and to Miryam, Come out you three to the tent of meeting. They three came out.

5 The LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aharon and Miryam; and they both came forth.

6 He said, Hear now my words: if there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known to him in a vision, I will speak with him in a dream.

7 My servant Moshe is not so; he is faithful in all my house:

8 with him will I speak mouth to mouth, even manifestly, and not in dark speeches; and the form of the LORD shall he see: why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moshe?

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.