Numbers 12:10-16

The LORD punishes Miriam

10 When the cloud went away from over the tent, Miriam suddenly developed a skin disease flaky like snow. Aaron turned toward Miriam and saw her skin disease.

11 Then Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my master, please don't punish us for the sin that we foolishly committed.

12 Please don't let her be like the stillborn, whose flesh is half eaten as it comes out of the mother's womb."

13 So Moses cried to the LORD, "God, please heal her!"

14 The LORD said to Moses, "If her father had spit in her face, would she not be shamed for seven days? Let her be shut out of the camp for seven days, and afterward she will be brought back."

15 So they shut Miriam out of the camp seven days. And the people didn't march until Miriam was brought back.

16 Afterward the people marched from Hazeroth, and they camped in the Paran desert.

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.