Numbers 12

King James Version

Full text for Numbers Chapter 12

1¶ And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.

2And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard [it].

3(Now the man Moses [was] very meek, above all the men which [were] upon the face of the earth.)

4¶ And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.

5And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood [in] the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.

6And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, [I] the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, [and] will speak unto him in a dream.

7My servant Moses [is] not so, who [is] faithful in all mine house.

8With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

9And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.

10¶ And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam [became] leprous, [white] as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, [she was] leprous.

11And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.

12Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb.

13And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.

14And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in [again].

15And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in [again].

16And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses, questioning his authority and his marriage to an Ethiopian woman. The LORD intervened, affirming Moses' unique and direct communication with Him, contrasting it with other prophets. As a consequence of their challenge, Miriam was afflicted with leprosy. After Moses interceded, she was healed but required to be shut out of the camp for seven days before being restored.

Medium Summary

Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses, specifically regarding his Ethiopian wife and questioning whether the LORD spoke only through him. The LORD, hearing their words, swiftly summoned the three to the Tabernacle of the congregation. There, the LORD descended in a pillar of cloud and declared that while He speaks to other prophets in visions and dreams, He speaks to Moses, His faithful servant, "mouth to mouth" and "apparently." He rebuked Aaron and Miriam for speaking against His chosen servant. Consequently, the LORD's anger was kindled, and Miriam was immediately struck with leprosy, becoming white as snow. Aaron pleaded with Moses to intercede for her, acknowledging their sin. Moses cried out to the LORD, who commanded that Miriam be shut out of the camp for seven days before being restored, a period during which the Israelites halted their journey.

Long Summary

Numbers chapter 12 opens with Miriam and Aaron speaking against their brother Moses, specifically criticizing his marriage to an Ethiopian woman and challenging his unique prophetic authority, asserting that the LORD also spoke through them. The text notes Moses' exceptional meekness, stating he was the meekest man on earth. The LORD, having heard their words, suddenly summoned Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to the tabernacle of the congregation. Descending in the pillar of the cloud, the LORD stood at the tabernacle door and called forth Aaron and Miriam. He then addressed them, explaining that while He revealed Himself to other prophets through visions and dreams, His servant Moses was distinct. The LORD emphasized Moses' faithfulness in His entire house, declaring that He spoke to Moses "mouth to mouth, even apparently," allowing Moses to behold the "similitude of the LORD." He sternly questioned why they were not afraid to speak against His servant. Following this divine pronouncement, the LORD's anger was kindled against them, and He departed. Immediately, as the cloud lifted from the tabernacle, Miriam was afflicted with leprosy, becoming white as snow. Aaron, witnessing her condition, pleaded with Moses, confessing their foolishness and sin and begging for Miriam not to be left in such a state. Moses interceded for his sister, crying out to the LORD for her healing. The LORD responded by instructing that Miriam be shut out from the camp for seven days, likening her temporary shame to that of a person whose father had spit in their face. Miriam was then shut out for the prescribed seven days, and the entire Israelite encampment remained stationary, not journeying until she was brought back in. Afterward, the people removed from Hazeroth and pitched their tents in the wilderness of Paran.

Core Concepts

  • Challenging AuthorityMiriam and Aaron questioned Moses' unique leadership and prophetic role, implying God spoke equally through them. This challenge was rooted in their perception of his marriage and their own spiritual standing.
  • Moses' MeeknessThe chapter explicitly describes Moses as "very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth," highlighting a key characteristic that contrasts with the challenge he faced.
  • Divine Affirmation of Moses' AuthorityThe LORD directly intervened, affirming Moses' unparalleled relationship with Him, stating He spoke to Moses "mouth to mouth" and "apparently," unlike other prophets who received visions or dreams.
  • Consequence of DisobedienceAs a direct result of their speaking against Moses, Miriam was immediately struck with leprosy, a severe physical affliction, demonstrating God's displeasure and judgment.
  • Intercession and RestorationMoses interceded on behalf of Miriam, crying out to the LORD for her healing. Though healed, she was required to be shut out of the camp for seven days, a period of purification and public shame before her full restoration.
  • Impact on the CommunityThe entire Israelite camp halted their journey for seven days until Miriam was brought back in, illustrating the communal impact of individual sin and the importance of her restoration before proceeding.