Numbers 12:11-16

11 and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed.

12 Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.”

13 So Moses cried out to the LORD, “Please, God, heal her!”

14 The LORD replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.”

15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

16 After that, the people left Hazeroth and encamped in the Desert of Paran.

Numbers 12:11-16 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.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 19:19; 2 Samuel 24:10
• 2. Exodus 15:26; Psalms 6:2; Psalms 147:3; Isaiah 1:6; Isaiah 30:26; Isaiah 53:5; Jeremiah 17:14; Hosea 6:1
• 3. Deuteronomy 25:9; Job 17:6; Job 30:9-10; Isaiah 50:6
• 4. S Leviticus 13:46; Numbers 5:2-3
• 5. S Leviticus 14:8
• 6. S Leviticus 13:4
• 7. Numbers 11:35
• 8. Genesis 21:21; Numbers 10:12; Numbers 15:32