Numbers 12:3-7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 12:1-3

Here is, I. The unbecoming passion of Aaron and Miriam: they spoke against Moses, Num. 12:1. If Moses, that received so much honour from God, yet received so many slights and affronts from men, shall any of us think such trials either strange or hard, and be either provoked or discouraged by them? But who would have thought that disturbance should be created to Moses, 1. From those that were themselves serious and good; nay, that were eminent in religion, Miriam a prophetess, Aaron the high... read more

Matthew Henry

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 12:3

Now the man Moses was very meek ,.... So that they might say anything against him, and he not be affronted, nor resent any injury; and this therefore is introduced as a reason why the Lord undertook the cause, and vindicated him, resenting the obloquies of Miriam and Aaron against him; because he knew he was so exceeding meek, that he himself would pass it by without taking notice of it, though he might hear it: hence the Targum of Jonathan"and he cared not for their words;'they gave him... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:3

Now the man Moses was very meek - How could Moses, who certainly was as humble and modest as he was meek, write this encomium upon himself? I think the word is not rightly understood; ענו anav , which we translate meek, comes from ענה anah , to act upon, to humble, depress, afflict, and is translated so in many places in the Old Testament; and in this sense it should be understood here: "Now this man Moses was depressed or afflicted more than any man האדמה haadamah , of that... 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

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