CHAPTER XII _Miriam and Aaron raise a sedition against Moses, because of the_ _Ethiopian woman he had married_, 1, _and through jealousy of his increasing power and authority_, 2. _The character of Moses_, 3. _Moses, Aaron, and Miriam are suddenly called to the tabernacle_, 4. _The Lord appear... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 12:2. _HATH THE LORD INDEED SPOKEN ONLY BY MOSES?_] It is certain that both Aaron and Miriam had received a portion of the prophetic spirit, (see Exodus 4:15, and Exodus 15:20), and therefore they thought they might have a share in the _government_; for though there was no kind of _gai... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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 represen... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 12:7. _MOSES - IS FAITHFUL_] נאמן _neeman_, a _prefect_ or _superintendent_. So Samuel is termed, 1 Samuel 2:35; 1 Samuel 3:20; David is so called, 1 Samuel 18:27, _Neeman_, and son-in-law of the king. Job 12:20, speaks of the _Neemanim_ as a name of dignity. It seems also to have bee... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 12:10. _MIRIAM_ BECAME _LEPROUS_] It is likely Miriam was _chief_ in this mutiny; and it is probable that it was on this ground she is mentioned _first_, (see Numbers 12:1,) and punished here, while Aaron is spared. Had he been smitten with the leprosy, his sacred character must have... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 12:14. _IF HER FATHER HAD BUT SPIT IN HER FACE_] This appears to have been done only in cases of great provocation on the part of the child, and strong irritation on the side of the parent. _Spitting in the face_ was a sign of the deepest contempt. See Job 30:10; Isaiah 50:6; Mark 14:... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 12:16. _THE WILDERNESS OF PARAN._] This could not be the same Paran with that mentioned Deuteronomy 1:1, for that was on the borders of the promised land, see the note on Deuteronomy 1:1; they were long near the borders of Canaan, and might have speedily entered into it, had it not be... [ Continue Reading ]