Numbers Chapter 12 (WEB)

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Numbers 12 is part of “Sinai to Kadesh: Journey and Complaints” (10:11–12:16) in the outline of Numbers.

Numbers 12 summary

In the foregoing chapter we had the vexation which the people gave to Moses; in this we have his patience tried by his own relations. I. Miriam and Aaron, his own brother and sister, affronted him (Num 12:1-3). II. God called them to an account for it (Num 12:4-9). III. Miriam was smitten with a leprosy for it (Num 12:10). IV. Aaron submits, and Moses meekly intercedes for Miriam (Num 12:11-13). V. She is healed, but put to shame for seven days (Num 12:14-16). And this is recorded to show that the best persons and families have both their follies and their crosses.

Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

1. 1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman.
2. 2 They said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only with Moses? Hasn’t he spoken also with us?” And the LORD heard it.
3. 3 Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all the men who were on the surface of the earth.
4. 4 The LORD spoke suddenly to Moses, to Aaron, and to Miriam, “You three come out to the Tent of Meeting!” The three of them came out.
5. 5 The LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forward.
6. 6 He said, “Now hear my words. If there is 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. 7 My servant Moses is not so. He is faithful in all my house.
8. 8 With him, I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see the LORD’s form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?”
9. 9 The LORD’s anger burned against them; and he departed.
10. 10 The cloud departed from over the Tent; and behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. Aaron looked at Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.
11. 11 Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord, please don’t count this sin against us, in which we have done foolishly, and in which we have sinned.
12. 12 Let her not, I pray, be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb.”
13. 13 Moses cried to the LORD, saying, “Heal her, God, I beg you!”
14. 14 The LORD said to Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, shouldn’t she be ashamed seven days? Let her be shut up outside of the camp seven days, and after that she shall be brought in again.”
15. 15 Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days, and the people didn’t travel until Miriam was brought in again.
16. 16 Afterward the people traveled from Hazeroth, and encamped in the wilderness of Paran.