Thematic Bible
Numbers 12:1 (show verse)
Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he was married to a Cushite woman from Sudan.
Numbers 12:2 (show verse)
They asked: Did Jehovah speak only through Moses? Did he not also speak through us? Jehovah heard their complaint.
Numbers 12:3 (show verse)
Moses was a very humble (meek) man. He was more humble than anyone else on earth.
Numbers 12:4 (show verse)
Suddenly, Jehovah said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam: All three of you come to the tent of meeting. So all three of them went to the tent.
Numbers 12:5 (show verse)
Then Jehovah came down in the column of smoke and stood at the entrance to the tent. He called to Aaron and Miriam. They both came forward.
Numbers 12:6 (show verse)
He said: Listen to my words: 'When there are prophets of Jehovah among you, I make myself known to them in visions or speak to them in dreams.
Numbers 12:7 (show verse)
But this is not the way I treat my servant Moses. He is the most faithful person in my household.
Numbers 12:8 (show verse)
I speak with him face to face. I speak plainly and not in riddles. He even sees the form of Jehovah. Why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?'
Numbers 12:9 (show verse)
Jehovah was angry with them, so he left.
Numbers 12:10 (show verse)
After the smoke left the tent, Miriam was covered with an infectious skin disease. She was as white as snow. Aaron turned to her and saw she was covered with the disease.
Numbers 12:11 (show verse)
He said to Moses: Please, do not make us suffer this punishment for our foolish sin.
Numbers 12:12 (show verse)
Do not let her become like something born dead with half its flesh eaten away.
Numbers 12:13 (show verse)
Therefore Moses cried out to Jehovah: O God, heal her!
Numbers 12:14 (show verse)
Jehovah answered: If her father had spit in her face, she would have to bear her disgrace for seven days. So let her be shut out of the camp for a week, and after that she can be brought back in.
Numbers 12:15 (show verse)
Miriam was shut out of the camp for seven days. The people did not move on until she was brought back in.
Numbers 12:16 (show verse)
Then they left Hazeroth and set up camp in the wilderness of Paran.