Numbers 12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 12:16

And afterwards the people removed from Hazeroth ,.... After seven days, where they had been so long at least; the cloud being returned to the tabernacle, and having been taken up, which was the signal for motion, the camps of Israel, in their order, removed and marched forward: and pitched in the wilderness of Paran ; at a place in it called Rithmah, Numbers 33:18 ; which, according to Bunting F13 Travels, &c.; p. 82. , was eight miles from Hazeroth, near to which was another... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12

Miriam and Aaron raise a sedition against Moses, because of the Ethiopian woman he had married, Numbers 12:1 , and through jealousy of his increasing power and authority, Numbers 12:2 . The character of Moses, Numbers 12:3 . Moses, Aaron, and Miriam are suddenly called to the tabernacle, Numbers 12:4 . The Lord appears in the pillar of the cloud, and converses with them, Numbers 12:5 . Declares his purpose to communicate his will to Moses only, Numbers 12:6-8 . His anger is kindled... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:10

Miriam became leprous - It is likely Miriam was chief in this mutiny; and it is probable that it was on this ground she is mentioned first, (see Numbers 12:1 ;), and punished here, while Aaron is spared. Had he been smitten with the leprosy, his sacred character must have greatly suffered, and perhaps the priesthood itself have fallen into contempt. How many priests and preachers who deserved to be exposed to reproach and infamy, have been spared for the sake of the holy character they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:14

If her father had but spit in her face - This appears to have been done only in cases of great provocation on the part of the child, and strong irritation on the side of the parent. Spitting in the face was a sign of the deepest contempt. See Job 30:10 ; Isaiah 50:6 ; Mark 14:65 . In a case where a parent was obliged by the disobedient conduct of his child to treat him in this way, it appears he was banished from the father's presence for seven days. If then this was an allowed and... read more

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