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Numbers 12

BSB·16 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Then Miriamמִרְיָ֤םmir·yām — Rebellion or BitternessH4813 — Full Word Study → and Aaronוְאַהֲרֹן֙wə·’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → criticizedוַתְּדַבֵּ֨רwat·tə·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → Mosesבְּמֹשֶׁ֔הbə·mō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → because ofעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the Cushiteהַכֻּשִׁ֖יתhak·ku·šîṯ — Ethiopian personH3569 — Full Word Study → womanהָאִשָּׁ֥הhā·’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → he had marriedלָקָ֑חlā·qāḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he had takenלָקָֽח׃lā·qāḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → a Cushiteכֻשִׁ֖יתḵu·šîṯ — Ethiopian personH3569 — Full Word Study → wifeאִשָּׁ֥ה’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →. 2Does the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → speakדִּבֶּ֣רdib·ber — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → onlyהֲרַ֤קhă·raq — only, merely, nothing butH7535 — Full Word Study → through Mosesבְּמֹשֶׁה֙bə·mō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →?” they saidוַיֹּאמְר֗וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Does He notהֲלֹ֖אhă·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → alsoגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → speakדִבֵּ֑רḏib·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → through us?” And the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → heard thisוַיִּשְׁמַ֖עway·yiš·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →. 3Now Mosesמֹשֶׁ֖הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → was a veryמְאֹ֑דmə·’ōḏ — Much, greatly, very, exceedinglyH3966 — Full Word Study → humbleעָנָוʿå̄·nå̄w — Humble, meek, afflicted poorH6035 — Full Word Study → manוְהָאִ֥ישׁwə·hā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →, more so than anyמִכֹּל֙mik·kōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → manהָֽאָדָ֔םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the faceפְּנֵ֥יpə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → of the earthהָאֲדָמָֽה׃סhā·’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study →. 4And suddenlyפִּתְאֹ֗םpiṯ·’ōm — suddenly, unexpectedly, all at onceH6597 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֜הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֤הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →, Aaronאַהֲרֹן֙’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study →, and Miriamמִרְיָ֔םmir·yām — Rebellion or BitternessH4813 — Full Word Study →, “You threeשְׁלָשְׁתְּכֶ֖םšə·lā·šə·tə·ḵem — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study →, come outצְא֥וּṣə·’ū — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the Tentאֹ֣הֶל’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → of Meetingמוֹעֵ֑דmō·w·‘êḏ — appointed time; solemn assemblyH4150 — Full Word Study →.” So the threeשְׁלָשְׁתָּֽם׃šə·lā·šə·tām — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → went outוַיֵּצְא֖וּway·yê·ṣə·’ū — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study →, 5and the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → came downוַיֵּ֤רֶדway·yê·reḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → in a pillarבְּעַמּ֣וּדbə·‘am·mūḏ — pillar, column, support structureH5982 — Full Word Study → of cloudעָנָ֔ן‘ā·nān — cloud; visual manifestation of God's presenceH6051 — Full Word Study →, stoodוַֽיַּעֲמֹ֖דway·ya·‘ă·mōḏ — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → at the entranceפֶּ֣תַחpe·ṯaḥ — doorway, entrance, openingH6607 — Full Word Study → to the Tentהָאֹ֑הֶלhā·’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study →, and summonedוַיִּקְרָא֙way·yiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → Aaronאַהֲרֹ֣ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → and Miriamוּמִרְיָ֔םū·mir·yām — Rebellion or BitternessH4813 — Full Word Study →. When bothשְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃šə·nê·hem — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → of them had stepped forwardוַיֵּצְא֖וּway·yê·ṣə·’ū — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study →, 6He saidוַיֹּ֖אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Hearשִׁמְעוּ־šim·‘ū- — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → nowנָ֣אnā — Please, I beseech, I prayH4994 — Full Word Study → My wordsדְבָרָ֑יḏə·ḇā·rāy — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →: Ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → there isיִֽהְיֶה֙yih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myselfאֶתְוַדָּ֔ע’eṯ·wad·dā‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → to himאֵלָ֣יו’ê·lāw — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → in a visionבַּמַּרְאָה֙bam·mar·’āh — vision; mirror; appearanceH4759 — Full Word Study →; I will speakאֲדַבֶּר־’ă·ḏab·ber- — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → to him in a dreamבַּחֲל֖וֹםba·ḥă·lō·wm — dream, vision during sleepH2472 — Full Word Study →. 7But this is not soכֵ֖ןḵên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → with My servantעַבְדִּ֣י‘aḇ·dî — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֑הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →; heהֽוּא׃hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is faithfulנֶאֱמָ֥ןne·’ĕ·mān — to trust, believe, be faithfulH539 — Full Word Study → in allבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → My houseבֵּיתִ֖יbê·ṯî — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →. 8I speakאֲדַבֶּר־’ă·ḏab·ber- — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → with him faceפֶּ֣הpeh — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → faceפֶּ֞הpeh — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study →, clearlyוּמַרְאֶה֙ū·mar·’eh — Appearance, sight, vision, or outward formH4758 — Full Word Study → and notוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → in riddlesבְחִידֹ֔תḇə·ḥî·ḏōṯ — A riddle, mysterious saying, or hard questionH2420 — Full Word Study →; he seesיַבִּ֑יטyab·bîṭ — To look upon, regard, or behold with attentionH5027 — Full Word Study → the formוּתְמֻנַ֥תū·ṯə·mu·naṯ — Visual form, likeness, appearanceH8544 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. Why thenוּמַדּ֙וּעַ֙ū·mad·dū·a‘ — Why? For what reason?H4069 — Full Word Study → were you unafraidיְרֵאתֶ֔םyə·rê·ṯem — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study → to speakלְדַבֵּ֖רlə·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → against My servantבְּעַבְדִּ֥יbə·‘aḇ·dî — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → Mosesבְמֹשֶֽׁה׃ḇə·mō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →?” 9So the angerאַ֧ף’ap̄ — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֛הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → burnedוַיִּֽחַרway·yi·ḥar — to burn with anger, become incensedH2734 — Full Word Study → against them, and He departedוַיֵּלַֽךְ׃way·yê·laḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →. 10As the cloudוְהֶעָנָ֗ןwə·he·‘ā·nān — cloud; visual manifestation of God's presenceH6051 — Full Word Study → liftedסָ֚רsār — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study → from aboveמֵעַ֣לmê·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the Tentהָאֹ֔הֶלhā·’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study →, suddenlyוְהִנֵּ֥הwə·hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → Miriamמִרְיָ֖םmir·yām — Rebellion or BitternessH4813 — Full Word Study → became leprous, white as snow. Aaronאַהֲרֹ֛ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → turnedוַיִּ֧פֶןway·yi·p̄en — to turn, face, or direct attentionH6437 — Full Word Study → towardאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → herמִרְיָ֖םmir·yām — Rebellion or BitternessH4813 — Full Word Study →, saw thatוְהִנֵּ֥הwə·hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → she was leprous, 11and saidוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֑הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →, “My lordאֲדֹנִ֔י’ă·ḏō·nî — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study →, pleaseנָ֨אnā — Please, I beseech, I prayH4994 — Full Word Study → do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → holdתָשֵׁ֤תṯā·šêṯ — to set, place, or appointH7896 — Full Word Study → against usעָלֵ֙ינוּ֙‘ā·lê·nū — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → this sinחַטָּ֔אתḥaṭ·ṭāṯ — sin; sin offering; sinfulnessH2403 — Full Word Study → we have so foolishlyנוֹאַ֖לְנוּnō·w·’al·nū — to be foolish, act foolishly, or doteH2973 — Full Word Study → committedחָטָֽאנוּ׃ḥā·ṭā·nū — To sin; to miss the mark; to commit wrongdoingH2398 — Full Word Study →. 12Pleaseנָ֥אnā — Please, I beseech, I prayH4994 — Full Word Study → do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → let her beתְהִ֖יṯə·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → like a stillborn infantכַּמֵּ֑תkam·mêṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → whoseאֲשֶׁ֤ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → fleshבְשָׂרֽוֹ׃ḇə·śā·rōw — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study → is halfחֲצִ֥יḥă·ṣî — half, middle, midstH2677 — Full Word Study → consumedוַיֵּאָכֵ֖לway·yê·’ā·ḵêl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → when he comes outבְּצֵאתוֹ֙bə·ṣê·ṯōw — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → of his mother’sאִמּ֔וֹ’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → wombמֵרֶ֣חֶםmê·re·ḥem — womb; inner compassion; merciful tendernessH7358 — Full Word Study →.” 13So Mosesמֹשֶׁ֔הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → cried outוַיִּצְעַ֣קway·yiṣ·‘aq — to cry out, call for help, shriekH6817 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, “O Godאֵ֕ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →, pleaseנָ֛אnā — Please, I beseech, I prayH4994 — Full Word Study → healרְפָ֥אrə·p̄ā — To heal, restore to healthH7495 — Full Word Study → her!” 14But the LORDיְהוָ֜הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → answeredוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֗הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →, “If her fatherוְאָבִ֙יהָ֙wə·’ā·ḇî·hā — H1 — Full Word Study → had but spitיָרֹ֤קyā·rōq — To spit; to expel salivaH3417 — Full Word Study → in her faceבְּפָנֶ֔יהָbə·p̄ā·ne·hā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, would she notהֲלֹ֥אhă·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → have been in disgraceתִכָּלֵ֖םṯik·kā·lêm — to be ashamed, humiliated, or confoundedH3637 — Full Word Study → for sevenשִׁבְעַ֣תšiḇ·‘aṯ — The number seven; sevenfoldH7651 — Full Word Study → daysיָמִ֑יםyā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →? Let her be confinedתִּסָּגֵ֞רtis·sā·ḡêr — to shut, close, or encloseH5462 — Full Word Study → outsideמִח֣וּץmi·ḥūṣ — Outside, exterior, or open space beyond a boundaryH2351 — Full Word Study → the campלַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔הlam·ma·ḥă·neh — Military encampment; organized settlement or gatheringH4264 — Full Word Study → for sevenשִׁבְעַ֤תšiḇ·‘aṯ — The number seven; sevenfoldH7651 — Full Word Study → daysיָמִים֙yā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →; after thatוְאַחַ֖רwə·’a·ḥar — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study → she may be brought back inתֵּאָסֵֽף׃tê·’ā·sêp̄ — to gather, assemble, collectH622 — Full Word Study →.” 15So Miriamמִרְיָ֛םmir·yām — Rebellion or BitternessH4813 — Full Word Study → was confinedוַתִּסָּגֵ֥רwat·tis·sā·ḡêr — to shut, close, or encloseH5462 — Full Word Study → outsideמִח֥וּץmi·ḥūṣ — Outside, exterior, or open space beyond a boundaryH2351 — Full Word Study → the campלַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖הlam·ma·ḥă·neh — Military encampment; organized settlement or gatheringH4264 — Full Word Study → for sevenשִׁבְעַ֣תšiḇ·‘aṯ — The number seven; sevenfoldH7651 — Full Word Study → daysיָמִ֑יםyā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, and the peopleוְהָעָם֙wə·hā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → did notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → move onנָסַ֔עnā·sa‘ — to journey, set out, departH5265 — Full Word Study → untilעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → she was brought in againהֵאָסֵ֖ףhê·’ā·sêp̄ — to gather, assemble, collectH622 — Full Word Study →. 16After thatוְאַחַ֛רwə·’a·ḥar — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study →, the peopleהָעָ֖םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → set outנָסְע֥וּnā·sə·‘ū — to journey, set out, departH5265 — Full Word Study → from Hazerothמֵחֲצֵר֑וֹתmê·ḥă·ṣê·rō·wṯ — Enclosed courtyard settlementH2698 — Full Word Study → and campedוַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּway·ya·ḥă·nū — to pitch a tent; to camp; to dwellH2583 — Full Word Study → in the Wildernessבְּמִדְבַּ֥רbə·miḏ·bar — Desert; wilderness; pasture; speechH4057 — Full Word Study → of Paranפָּארָֽן׃פpā·rān — Desert wilderness regionH6290 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Numbers 12
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Numbers 12 records a critical moment of rebellion against Moses' leadership, initiated by his own siblings, Miriam and Aaron. Rather than a dispute over doctrine or God's will, the complaint stems from jealousy—both about Moses' marriage to an Ethiopian woman and resentment over his unique authority as God's spokesman. The chapter demonstrates that God takes seriously any challenge to the leadership He has ordained, yet it also reveals His patience and the power of intercession. Through Miriam's sudden affliction with leprosy and subsequent restoration, God teaches His people that opposition to His chosen servant is opposition to Him.

Verses 1–3: The Complaint and Its Real Root

Miriam and Aaron openly criticize Moses on two grounds: his marriage to an Ethiopian woman and his exclusive claim to God's guidance. On the surface, verse 1 mentions the Ethiopian wife, but verse 2 reveals the deeper issue—they question whether God speaks only through Moses or whether He also communicates through them. Their complaint appears to be about fairness and shared authority. Notably, verse 3 parenthetically reminds us that Moses was very meek, a humility so profound that he does not immediately defend himself. This detail is crucial: it shows that meekness, not weakness, characterizes true spiritual leadership.

Application: Jealousy and wounded pride often masquerade as theological concern. We must examine our own hearts when we question godly leadership—are we genuinely seeking truth, or are we nursing hurt feelings?

Verses 4–9: God's Immediate and Clear Response

God acts swiftly and visibly. He calls all three—Moses, Aaron, and Miriam—to the tabernacle and manifests His presence in the pillar of cloud. Then He makes a stunning distinction (verses 6–8): while He speaks to prophets through visions and dreams (indirect revelation), with Moses He speaks mouth to mouth and apparently—meaning directly and clearly. Moses alone beholds the similitude (form or image) of the LORD. This is not arrogance on Moses' part but a statement of fact about his unique calling and covenant role. God's anger is kindled (verse 9), and His presence departs.

Application: God established Moses' authority not through Moses' own assertion but through His own declaration. When we oppose those whom God has placed in leadership, we oppose God Himself. This calls for humility and submission unless clear biblical error is evident.

Verses 10–15: Judgment, Intercession, and Restoration

The consequence is immediate: Miriam becomes leprous, white as snow—a visible, undeniable sign of God's displeasure. Aaron, recognizing their sin, appeals to Moses to intercede. Rather than vindicating himself, the meek Moses immediately cries out to God for Miriam's healing (verse 13). God grants partial mercy: Miriam will be healed but must spend seven days separated from the camp—the period typically required for a leper's quarantine and as a sign of shame. The entire nation waits for her restoration before continuing their journey (verse 15).

Application: Moses' intercession for his accusers demonstrates the heart of a true servant-leader. He does not gloat or demand justice; he seeks restoration. This is the spirit of Christ, who prayed for those who crucified Him.

Application for Today

In our churches and communities, God has placed leaders to shepherd His flock. While we are called to test all things against Scripture, we must also guard against the corrosive sin of questioning authority from motives of pride or jealousy. When we find ourselves critical of pastoral or spiritual leadership, let us pause and examine our hearts: Are we motivated by genuine theological concern, or by wounded feelings? Let us follow Moses' example—to lead with meekness, to intercede for those who oppose us, and to trust God to vindicate His appointed servants. And let us follow Aaron's example of repentance when we discover we have erred.

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