Numbers

12.1-16

Despite Miriam and Aaron's status as prophets (Ex 4:15-16, 15:20), they had become jealous of Moses' other family, whose status likely increased following Jethro's interjection of the need for Moses to divest sole responsibility judging Israel (Ex 18:13-26). This was likely Zipporah about whom they were complaining rather than a new second wife. Miriam being named first suggests she was likely the instigator of speaking against Moses (v1). This is also likely the reason she bore the brunt of the wrath in Yahweh's response. The uncleanliness of leprosy would also have interrupted Aaron's priestly service. The statement about Moses' humility in verse three may imply that Moses was unaware of their anger, necessitating Yahweh's own immediate intervention before their dissension spread to more of the camp. The justification was as plain as the direct communication God declared He used between Himself and Moses. "Moses, He is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, Indeed clearly" (vv7b-8a). Paul provides clarity for this passage's application to us today in 1 Cor 12:12-26. There, we are reminded that just as each member of the body has its own purpose, neither should any member seek to function as if it were something it is not. "If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be..." (1Cor12:17a). Nonetheless, despite Miriam's need for reproof, Aaron and Moses intervene for God's mercy. Consistent with His nature, God reproves and restores. Paul shows a similar understanding of respect toward those who hold lesser offices in the body (the church): "On the contrary, those parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable." 1 Cor 12:22.

CHAPTER 12

Miriam and Aaron Speak Against Moses

1 Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had taken as a wife (for he had taken a Cushite woman);
2 and they said, “Has Yahweh indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?” And Yahweh heard it.
3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.)
4 Suddenly Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron and to Miriam, “You three come out to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them came out.
5 Then Yahweh came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the doorway of the tent, and He called Aaron and Miriam. And then both came forward,
6 and He said,
“Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I, Yahweh, shall make Myself known to him in a vision.
I shall speak with him in a dream.
7 “Not so, with My servant Moses,
He is faithful in all My household;
8 With him I speak mouth to mouth,
Indeed clearly, and not in riddles,
And he beholds the form of Yahweh.
Why then were you not afraid
To speak against My servant, against Moses?”
9 So the anger of Yahweh burned against them, and He went away.
10 But the cloud withdrew from over the tent, and behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.
11 Then Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord, I beg you, do not place this sin on us, in which we have acted foolishly and in which we have sinned.
12 “Oh, do not let her be like one dead, whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes from his mother’s womb!”
13 And Moses cried out to Yahweh, saying, “O God, heal her, I pray!”
14 But Yahweh said to Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, would she not bear her dishonor for seven days? Let her be shut up for seven days outside the camp, and afterward she may be received again.”
15 So Miriam was shut up outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not set out until Miriam was received again.
16 Afterward, however, the people set out from Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran.

Legacy Standard Bible (Three Sixteen Publishing, 2022), Nu 12.