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The Pulpit Commentary
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:1-16
GOD THE VINDICATOR OF HIS CALUMNIATED SERVANTS The serpent's trail was found in Eden, and "a devil" among the apostles. No wonder then at this narrative of strife in a godly family. We notice— I. AN UNJUST INSINUATION.…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:1-6
THE SEDITION OF MIRIAM AND AARON Here is another sedition in Israel. What is worse, the sedition does not, at this time, originate among the mixed multitude, the pariahs of the camp. The authors of it are the two leadin…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:1
And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses. While the people were encamped at Hazeroth (see Numbers 12:16), and therefore probably very soon after the events of the last chapter. That Miriam's was the moving spirit in the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:1-16
THE CONTRADICTION OF SINNERS We have in this chapter, spiritually, the contradiction of the Jews against their brother after the flesh; morally, the sin and punishment of jealousy and envy in high places. Consider, ther…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:2
THE LORD LISTENING "And the Lord heard it." Compare with this the words," And the Lord hearkened and heard" (Malachi 3:16). We are thus reminded that God listens not only to take note of our sinful words, but to record…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:2
And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? This is evidently not the "speaking against Moses" mentioned in the previous verse, for that is distinctly said to have been on th…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:3
A DISTINGUISHED EXAMPLE OF MEEKNESS This quality of meekness, for which Moses is here so much praised, is not without its signs earlier in the narrative of his connection with the Israelites; and as we look back in the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:3
Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. For the Hebrew עָנָו the Septuagint has πραὺς here; the Vulgate, mitis. The Targum Palestine has "bowed down in his mind," i.e;…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:4
The Lord spake suddenly. How he spoke we cannot tell, but the word "suddenly" points to something unexpected and unusual. The voice seems to have come to the three in their tents before there was any thought in their mi…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:4-15
THE HUMBLING OF THE PROUD AND THE EXALTATION OF THE MEEK. THE HUMBLING WAS EVIDENTLY BY THE ACTION OF GOD HIMSELF The Lord heard Miriam and Aaron in the words of their pride, and even though Moses might bear these words…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:5
The Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud. The cloud which had been soaring above the tabernacle descended upon it (see Numbers 11:25 and Numbers 12:10). And stood in the door of the tabernacle. It would seem most n…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:6-8
THE SINGULAR HONOUR OF MOSES The best commentary on these verses is supplied by the comparison instituted between Moses and our blessed Lord in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 3:1-6). The Hebrews are reminded that o…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:6
If there boa prophet among you I the Lord will make myself known. More probably "the Lord" belongs to the first clause: "If there be to you a prophet of the Lord, I will make myself known." So the Septuagint, ἐὰν γέν…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:7
My servant Moses is not so. No words could more clearly and sharply draw the distinction between Moses and the whole laudabilis numerus of the prophets. It is strange that, in the face of a statement so general and so e…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:8
Mouth to mouth. Equivalent to face to face in Exodus 33:11. What the exact facts of the case were it is not possible to know, scarcely to imagine; but the words seem to imply a familiar speaking with an audible voice on…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:9
And he departed. As a judge departs from his judgment-seat after trying and convicting evil-doers.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:10
The cloud departed from off the tabernacle. During this awful interview the cloud of the Presence had rested on the tabernacle, as if it were the Divine chariot waiting for the King of Israel while he tarried within (of…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:11
Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee. Septuagint, δέομαι, Κύριε. In thus addressing his brother Aaron acknowledged his superior position, and tacitly abandoned all pretension to equality. Lay not the s…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:12
As one dead. Rather, "as the dead thing," i.e. the still-born child, in which death and decay have anticipated life. Such was the frightful effect of leprosy in its last stages.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:13
Moses cried unto the Lord. A much harder and prouder man than Moses was must needs have been melted into pity at the sight of his sister, and the terrible suggestion of Aaron. Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. The "n…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:14
The Lord said unto Moses. Presumably in the tabernacle, whither Moses would have returned to supplicate God. If her father had but spit in her face. The "but" is superfluous, and obscures the sense; the act mentioned is…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:15
Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days. It does not say that Miriam was healed forthwith of her leprosy, but the presumption is to that effect. Not the punishment itself, but the shame of it, was to last according…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 12:16
In the wilderness of Paran. It is somewhat strange that this note of place should be used a second time without explanation (see Numbers 10:12, Numbers 10:33). Probably it is intended to mark the fact that they were sti…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 13:1-33
EXPOSITION THE REBELLION AT KADESH (Numbers 13:1-33, Numbers 14:1-45).