Numbers 12:3-13

3 (Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on earth.)

4 Suddenly, the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, "All three of you come to the tent of meeting." So all three of them came.

5 Then the LORD came down in the column of smoke and stood at the entrance to the tent. He called to Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward.

6 He said, "Listen to my words: When there are prophets of the LORD among you, I make myself known to them in visions or speak to them in dreams.

7 But this is not the way I treat my servant Moses. He is the most faithful person in my household.

8 I speak with him face to face, plainly and not in riddles. He even sees the form of the LORD. Why weren't you afraid to criticize my servant Moses?"

9 The LORD was angry with them, so he left.

10 When the smoke left the tent, Miriam was covered with an infectious skin disease. She was as white as snow. Aaron turned to her and saw she was covered with the disease.

11 So he said to Moses, "Please, sir, don't punish us for this foolish sin we committed.

12 Don't let her be like a stillborn baby that's not completely developed."

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

Numbers 12:3-13 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.