Numbers 12

Miriam and Aaron Speak Against Moses

1 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife (he had married a Cushite).

2 They said, “Is Moses the only one the Lord speaks through? Doesn’t he also speak through us?” And the Lord heard this.

3 (Now Moses was very humble. He was the least proud person on earth.)
4 So the Lord suddenly spoke to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “All three of you come to the Meeting Tent.” So they went.5 The Lord came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance to the Tent. He called to Aaron and Miriam, and they both came near.

6 He said, “Listen to my words:
When prophets are among you, I, the Lord, will show myself to them in visions; I will speak to them in dreams.

7 But this is not true with my servant Moses. I trust him to lead all my people.

8 I speak face to face with him— clearly, not with hidden meanings. He has even seen the form of the Lord.
You should be afraid to speak against my servant Moses.”

9 The Lord was very angry with them, and he left.
10 When the cloud lifted from the Tent and Aaron turned toward Miriam, she was as white as snow; she had a skin disease.11 Aaron said to Moses, “Please, my master, forgive us for our foolish sin.

12 Don’t let her be like a baby who is born dead. (Sometimes a baby is born with half of its flesh eaten away.)”

13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, “God, please heal her!”
14 The Lord answered Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, she would have been shamed for seven days, so put her outside the camp for seven days. After that, she may come back.”

15 So Miriam was put outside of the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until she came back.
16 After that, the people left Hazeroth and camped in the Desert of Paran.

Numbers 12

1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman.2 And they said, Hath Jehovah indeed spoken only with Moses? hath he not spoken also with us? And Jehovah heard it.3 Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth.

4 And Jehovah spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tent of meeting. And they three came out.5 And Jehovah came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forth.6 And he said, Hear now my words: if there be a prophet among you, I Jehovah will make myself known unto him in a vision, I will speak with him in a dream.7 My servant Moses is not so; he is faithful in all my house:8 with him will I speak mouth to mouth, even manifestly, and not in dark speeches; and the form of Jehovah shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?

9 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against them; and he departed.10 And the cloud removed from over the Tent; and, behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.11 And Aaron said unto Moses, Oh, my lord, lay not, I pray thee, sin upon us, for that we have done foolishly, and for that we have sinned.12 Let her not, I pray, be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother’s womb.13 And Moses cried unto Jehovah, saying, Heal her, O God, I beseech thee.14 And Jehovah said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut up without the camp seven days, and after that she shall be brought in again.15 And Miriam was shut up without the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.

16 And afterward the people journeyed from Hazeroth, and encamped in the wilderness of Paran.