Numbers 12:4-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 12:4-9

Moses did not resent the injury done him, nor complain of it to God, nor make any appeal to him; but God resented it. He hears all we say in our passion, and is a swift witness of our hasty speeches, which is a reason why we should resolutely bridle our tongues, that we speak not ill of others, and why we should patiently stop our ears, and not take notice of it, if others speak ill of us. I heard not, for thou wilt hear, Ps. 38:13-15. The more silent we are in our own cause the more is God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 12:4

And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam ,.... As one greatly provoked, and highly displeased, and which was shown at once; and in order to prevent the complaint getting among the people, and spreading, which might have been of bad consequence, as they were pretty much disposed to murmur and mutiny; as also to show that it was not through any solicitation of Moses that the Lord took this matter in hand, time not being allowed to him to make any application to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 12:5

The Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud ,.... Which was over the most holy place of the tabernacle, and which was a symbol of the presence of the Lord; and who is said to come down, because that was above the tabernacle; whereas he came, as is next expressed: and stood in the door of the tabernacle ; where he set up his tribunal, and called them to his bar, courts of judicature being usually held in the gate; not suffering them to go into the tabernacle as they were wont to do,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 12:6

And he said, hear now my words ,.... The Targum of Jonathan reads, "I beseech you"; and Jarchi says, this particle always so signifies; but it is not so agreeable to the language of the divine Being: if there be a prophet among you ; not as making a doubt of it, but rather allowing that there was, and that there were others besides Moses, as even they themselves, Aaron and Miriam, and the seventy elders, and perhaps others; or at least there had been, and would be again, as there were in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 12:7

My servant Moses is not so ,.... Or such a prophet; he is not so used; it was not in such a manner the Lord spake to him; not in visions and dreams, as he had to Abraham and Jacob, and did to others in later times: who is faithful in all mine house ; in the house of Israel, or among that people which were the Lord's family, where Moses was a servant and steward, and did all things according to the will of the Lord, the master of the family; he faithfully delivered to them all the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 12:8

With him will I speak mouth to mouth ,.... And face to face, as he had done, Exodus 33:11 ; in a free, friendly, and familiar manner, as one friend speaks to another, without injecting any fear or dread, and consternation of mind, which was sometimes the case of the prophets; or without a middle person, a mediator, as Aben Ezra, not by means of an angel, as in some cases, but the Lord himself spake to him: even apparently, and not in dark speeches ; the word "apparently", or "vision",... 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 12:4

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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