Numbers 12:1-8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:1

Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses - It appears that jealousy of the power and influence of Moses was the real cause of their complaint though his having married an Ethiopian woman- הכשית האשה haishshah haccushith - That Woman, the Cushite, probably meaning Zipporah, who was an Arab born in the land of Midian - was the ostensible cause. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:2

Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? - It is certain that both Aaron and Miriam had received a portion of the prophetic spirit, (see Exodus 4:15 , and Exodus 15:20 ;), and therefore they thought they might have a share in the government; for though there was no kind of gain attached to this government, and no honor but such as came from God, yet the love of power is natural to the human mind; and in many instances men will sacrifice even honor, pleasure, and profit to the lust of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:3

Now the man Moses was very meek - How could Moses, who certainly was as humble and modest as he was meek, write this encomium upon himself? I think the word is not rightly understood; ענו anav , which we translate meek, comes from ענה anah , to act upon, to humble, depress, afflict, and is translated so in many places in the Old Testament; and in this sense it should be understood here: "Now this man Moses was depressed or afflicted more than any man האדמה haadamah , of that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:4

And the Lord spake suddenly - The sudden interference of God in this business shows at once the importance of the case and his displeasure. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:6

If there be a prophet - We see here the different ways in which God usually made himself known to the prophets, viz., by visions - emblematic appearances, and by dreams, in which the future was announced by dark speeches, בחידת bechidoth , by enigmas or figurative representations, Numbers 12:8 . But to Moses God had communicated himself in a different way - he spoke to him face to face, apparently, showing him his glory: not in dark or enigmatical speeches; this could not be admitted... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:7

Moses - is faithful - נאמן neeman , a prefect or superintendent. So Samuel is termed, 1 Samuel 2:35 ; 1 Samuel 3:20 ; David is so called, 1 Samuel 18:27 , Neeman , and son-in-law of the king. Job 12:20 , speaks of the Neemanim as a name of dignity. It seems also to have been a title of respect given to ambassadors, Proverbs 13:17 ; Proverbs 25:13 . Calmet well observes that the word fidelity is often used for an employ, office, or dignity, and refers to 1 Chronicles 9:22 ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:1

Verse 1 1.And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses. This relation is especially worthy of observation for many reasons. If Aaron and Miriam had always quietly and cordially supported the honor of their brother, and had not been carried away by perverse and ungodly jealousy, their harmony, however holy it was, would have been perverted by the injustice of many, and alleged against them as a deceitful and insidious conspiracy. It came to pass, then, in the wonderful providence of God, that his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:2

Verse 2 2.And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? They pride themselves on their gift of prophecy, which ought rather to have schooled them to humility. But such is the natural depravity of men, not only to abuse the gifts of God unto contempt of their brethren, but so to magnify them by their ungodly and sacrilegious boasting, as to obscure the glory of their Author. Miriam and Aaron had received the spirit of prophecy, in order that the grace of God might shine forth in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:3

Verse 3 3.Now the man Moses was very meek. This parenthesis is inserted, in order that we might perceive that God was not moved by any complaint of Moses, to be so greatly wroth with Aaron and Miriam. It is said that “the Lord heard,” that is to say, to undertake the cause in His character of Judge: and it is now added, that He spontaneously summoned the criminals to His tribunal, though no accuser requested that justice should be done him. For this is the, tendency of the eulogium of his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:4

Verse 4 4.Come out ye three unto the tabernacle. God calls Aaron and Miriam to the tabernacle, that the very sanctity of the place may cast down their haughtiness; for forgetfulness of God had overspread their minds, when they began to be so insolent before men. They are, therefore, brought back to the presence of God, from which all their senses had turned away, in order that they at length might learn to revere Moses, whose cause is upheld by God. God commands them to “hear His words,”... read more

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