Study notes

Numbers 12

Introducing NumbersWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

11:1–14:45 Section

Many of the Israelites spoke against God and didn’t obey him. They complained about how hard life was and about their food. They complained about Moses as their leader. Even Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses.

The complaining showed that God’s people didn’t want God to be their God. They wished that God hadn’t saved them from being slaves in Egypt. They didn’t accept the ways that God had saved them and provided for them.

God brought judgement against them for refusing to accept him. He sent a fire, plague and disease among the Israelites. Yet God didn’t destroy all of them. He was patient with his people and forgave them.

God shared the power of the Holy Spirit with 70 leaders. He did this so that they could help Moses. But God made something clear about Moses. Moses was close to him like no other human being was.

Moses sent 12 spies to look at the land of Canaan. Of the 12, only Joshua and Caleb urged the people to obey God. But the Israelites refused to enter Canaan. That happened at Kadesh Barnea.

This meant that they were saying no to who God is. They were saying no to God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

As a result the Israelites would wander for 40 years in the desert. They would wander until those who had refused to enter Canaan died. After that, their children would receive the covenant blessing of the land.

12:1

Most interpreters believe the Cushite woman is Zipporah, the wife of Moses. She was from Midian (Exodus 2:16–22). They see Cush as referring to Cushan, a region and people near Midian (Habakkuk 3:7).

Other interpreters think Cushite refers to Kusi in northern Arabia, Ethiopia, or Sudan. This would suggest she was a different wife.

In either case, it is possible that Miriam and Aaron disapproved of his having married a non-Israelite or that they were jealous of her influence over Moses.

12:1–2

Miriam and Aaron may have seen the marriage of Moses as a threat to their status and goals. The verses list Miriam first, suggesting she started this family conflict. This could explain why God punished her and not Aaron (12:9–10).

12:1–16

Rebellion did not come only from the “rabble” or from the Israelites who were tired of manna (11:4). It also came from within the family of Moses.

Aaron the high priest and Miriam the prophetess spoke against Moses (Exodus 29:30; Exodus 15:20). Their actions showed that even Israel’s spiritual leaders struggled with jealousy and doubt.

At this time, Israel was moving toward a lowest point in its rebellion against God (Numbers 13:25–14:12).

12:2

  • Challenging the authority of Moses meant rejecting the Lord's choice of him as Israel's leader.

  • the LORD heard this: The same phrase in 11:1 hints at the Lord's response.

12:3

  • The humility of Moses stands in sharp contrast to the jealousy of Miriam and Aaron. The text says that Moses was very humble. His character reflected a godly spirit (see also Proverbs 3:34; Matthew 5:5).

  • The statement about the humility of Moses appears as a parenthetical comment (a brief note inserted into the story). It presents the truth from God’s point of view.

    Some think these words may have been written by Moses. Others believe they may have been added later by an editor. In either case, the comment highlights the faithful and humble character of Moses.

12:4–8

In response to this rebellion, the Lord spoke directly. He reaffirmed the special status and authority of Moses.

12:9–16

Miriam experienced the burning anger of the Lord (see study note on 12:1–2). When Aaron saw what happened to her, he confessed their sin and asked Moses to pray for them (compare 11:2). Both Moses and the Lord accepted Aaron's confession.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources