Verse 8
8. Mouth to mouth This answers to “face to face” in Exodus 33:11. It implies great familiarity, mutual confidence and esteem, and the absence of all reserve and of any mediation. Such converse is the highest honour bestowed upon man under the Old Testament dispensation.
Even apparently Literally, as an appearance; R.V., “manifestly,” implying sight, or rather insight, and not vision. Dreams and visions are subjective; that is, pertain to the internal perception of the thinking subject. But the phenomena attending the intercourse of Jehovah with Moses were not intuitive and subjective, but objective; that is, outward and addressing the senses.
Dark speeches Riddles or enigmas. These are a test to one on probation who is not yet approved and taken into the fullest confidence. Moses was treated as a man of fixed fidelity who had passed his probation.
The similitude of the Lord The form of Jehovah was not the essential nature of God, his unveiled glory, for this no mortal can see, (Exodus 33:18-20,) “but some unmistakable evidence of his glorious presence.” Bible Commentary. He talked with Moses without figure, addressing his spiritual intuitions in such a way as to give to him infallible certainty. Thus since the day of Pentecost, Jesus manifests himself to the advanced believer. John 14:21, note. “Here (in Numbers 12:2-8) we have, as it were, in epitome, the mystery of the prophetic gift and function; and in such a manner as to exhibit the strength of this credential most impressively. It is the voice of Jehovah, jealous of his own honour and of the honour of his servants, at once describing and defending the prophetic law of revelation.” W.B. Pope.
Were ye not afraid In view of the extraordinary honour which God had bestowed upon Moses they should have restrained all murmuring and envious words.
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