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The Torah · Old Testament

Numbers 12

Miriam and Aaron challenge Moses

General context

Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses concerning his wife and question whether the Lord has spoken only through him. The narrator describes Moses as exceptionally meek. The Lord summons all three to the tabernacle and distinguishes Moses' faithful service and direct communication from the visions and dreams described for prophets. After the Lord's angry departure, Miriam is described as leprous and white as snow. Aaron confesses their sin and asks Moses for help. Moses pleads for her healing. The Lord orders seven days outside the camp, followed by her return. The people wait until Miriam is received back, then move from Hazeroth to Paran.

Cited passages: Numbers 12:1, Numbers 12:2, Numbers 12:3, Numbers 12:4, Numbers 12:5, Numbers 12:6, Numbers 12:7, Numbers 12:8, Numbers 12:9, Numbers 12:10, Numbers 12:11, Numbers 12:12, Numbers 12:13, Numbers 12:14, Numbers 12:15, Numbers 12:16

Numbers 12 (KJV)

1And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.

2And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it.

3(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

4And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.

5And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.

6And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

7My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.

8With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

9And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed.

10And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.

11And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.

12Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother’s womb.

13And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.

14And the Lord said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.

15And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.

16And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.

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Historical context

The KJV calls the wife Ethiopian; the ASV and BBE call her Cushite. She is not named here or explicitly identified with Zipporah. Both Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses, but the narrated skin affliction falls on Miriam; the chapter gives no separate explanation for that difference. The father's spitting in verse 14 is a comparison used in the reply, not a narrated event. Her exclusion and return are reported without an explicit description of when the healing occurs.

Cited passages: Numbers 12:1, Numbers 12:2, Numbers 12:9, Numbers 12:10, Numbers 12:11, Numbers 12:12, Numbers 12:13, Numbers 12:14, Numbers 12:15, Numbers 12:16

Literary context

The challenge about who speaks for the Lord is answered by the Lord's own distinction concerning Moses. Aaron's appeal and Moses' prayer follow the confrontation, and Miriam's seven-day exclusion affects the whole camp's movement. The chapter gives her return a place in the community's travel account.

Cited passages: Numbers 12:2, Numbers 12:3, Numbers 12:4, Numbers 12:5, Numbers 12:6, Numbers 12:7, Numbers 12:8, Numbers 12:10, Numbers 12:11, Numbers 12:12, Numbers 12:13, Numbers 12:14, Numbers 12:15, Numbers 12:16

Key moments

  1. The challenge to Moses' role (Numbers 12:2). Miriam and Aaron ask whether the Lord has spoken only through Moses.
  2. Moses asks for healing (Numbers 12:13). Moses pleads with God to heal Miriam.
  3. The people wait for Miriam (Numbers 12:15). Israel does not travel until Miriam is received back after seven days outside the camp.

For reflection

What does the camp's waiting for Miriam add to a story centered on a challenge to Moses' authority?

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