The Law · Chapter 12 of 36

Numbers 12

Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses over his Cushite wife and claim God speaks through them too. The LORD hears, summons all three, and vindicates Moses as uniquely faithful, one to whom he speaks mouth to mouth. God's anger leaves Miriam leprous, white as snow. Aaron confesses their folly, Moses cries out for her healing, and she is shut outside the camp seven days before the people move on.

What happens in Numbers 12

Miriam and Aaron criticize Moses because of the Ethiopian woman he married, and assert that God has spoken through them as well as through him. The LORD hears it. The chapter pauses to note that Moses was exceedingly meek, more than anyone on earth. God suddenly summons the three to the tent, descends in the pillar of cloud, and declares that while he speaks to prophets in visions and dreams, with Moses he speaks mouth to mouth, plainly, and Moses beholds his form; so they should have feared to speak against him.

God's anger departs with the cloud, and Miriam is left leprous, white as snow. Aaron pleads with Moses, confessing their sin and folly, and Moses cries out, Heal her now, O God. The LORD requires that she bear seven days of shame outside the camp, and the people do not journey until she is brought in again.

Numbers 12 in context

Chapter twelve continues the wilderness conflicts, now within Moses' own family and leadership circle. Jealousy over authority drives Miriam and Aaron to challenge the one God chose. The chapter is unique for its direct portrait of Moses' humility and of God's intimate way of speaking with him.

It also shows God defending his servant himself, while Moses, the wronged party, intercedes for the very sister who opposed him, embodying the meekness the text praises.

Main themes of Numbers 12

Numbers 12 (KJV)

1And 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.) 4And 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. 10And 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.

Verses to carry from Numbers 12

“(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”Numbers 12:3

“My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.”Numbers 12:7

“And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.”Numbers 12:13

Reflection

Moses was slandered by his own family yet did not defend himself, leaving vindication to God and praying for his accuser's healing. When you are wronged, especially by those close to you, resist the urge to fight for your own name.

Entrust your reputation to God, who defends his own, and answer opposition with the harder, holier work of intercession.

A prayer from Numbers 12