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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 12:1 Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, for he had taken a Cushite wife.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/12-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/04_Num_12_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 12:1 - The Murmuring of Miriam and Aaron" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, for he had taken a Cushite wife." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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for he had married an Ethiopian woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman);<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman);<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman);<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had taken <i>as a wife</i> (for he had taken a Cushite woman);<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman);<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married (for he had married a Cushite woman).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married (for he had married a Cushite woman).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married: for he had married a Cushite woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Miriam and Aaron began to criticize Moses because he was married to a woman from Sudan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Moses had married a Cushite woman, and Miriam and Aaron criticized him for it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Miriam and Aaron rebelled against Moses on account of the Cushite woman that he had married. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, for he had taken a Cushite wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married (for he had married an Ethiopian woman).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married: for he had married a Cushite woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Miriam speaks—Aaron also—against Moses concerning the circumstance of the Cushite woman whom he had taken, for he had taken a Cushite woman;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Miriam speaketh -- Aaron also -- against Moses concerning the circumstance of the Cushite woman whom he had taken: for a Cushite woman he had taken;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Miriam and Aaron will speak against Moses on account of the Ethiopian woman which he took: for he took an Ethiopian woman.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Mary and Aaron spoke against Moses, because of his wife the Ethiopian, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses, because of his wife, an Ethiopian,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses on the pretext of the Cushite woman he had married; for he had in fact married a Cushite woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had indeed married a Cushite woman);<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />AND Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Maryam and Ahron spoke with Moshe on the matter of an Ethiopian woman whom he took because he had taken an Ethiopian woman.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Mariam and Aaron spoke against Moses, because of the Ethiopian woman whom Moses took; for he had taken an Ethiopian woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/12-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=3867" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/12.htm">The Murmuring of Miriam and Aaron</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4813.htm" title="4813: mir·yām (N-proper-fs) -- A sister of Aaron, also a man of Judah. From mriy; rebelliously; Mirjam, the name of two Israelitesses.">Then Miriam</a> <a href="/hebrew/175.htm" title="175: wə·’a·hă·rōn (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- An elder brother of Moses. Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses.">and Aaron</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: wat·tə·ḏab·bêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">criticized</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: bə·mō·šeh (Prep-b:: N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">because of</a> <a href="/hebrew/182.htm" title="182: ’ō·ḏō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- A cause. Or rodowth; from the same as 'uwd; turnings; on account of."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3569.htm" title="3569: hak·ku·šîṯ (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- Desc. of Cush. Patronymically from Kuwsh; a Cushite, or descendant of Cush.">the Cushite</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">woman</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: lā·qāḥ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">he had married,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: lā·qāḥ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">he had taken</a> <a href="/hebrew/3569.htm" title="3569: ḵu·šîṯ (N-proper-fs) -- Desc. of Cush. Patronymically from Kuwsh; a Cushite, or descendant of Cush.">a Cushite</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·šāh (N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wife.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>“Does the LORD speak only through Moses?” they said. “Does He not also speak through us?” And the LORD heard this.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-21.htm">Exodus 2:21</a></span><br />Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/18-2.htm">Exodus 18:2</a></span><br />After Moses had sent back his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had received her,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/24-9.htm">Deuteronomy 24:9</a></span><br />Remember what the LORD your God did to Miriam on the journey after you came out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/5-27.htm">2 Kings 5:27</a></span><br />Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/26-19.htm">2 Chronicles 26:19-21</a></span><br />Uzziah, with a censer in his hand to offer incense, was enraged. But while he raged against the priests in their presence in the house of the LORD before the altar of incense, leprosy broke out on his forehead. / When Azariah the chief priest and all the priests turned to him and saw his leprous forehead, they rushed him out. Indeed, he himself hurried to get out, because the LORD had afflicted him. / So King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He lived in isolation, leprous and cut off from the house of the LORD, while his son Jotham had charge of the royal palace and governed the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Genesis 16:1-3</a></span><br />Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. / So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. / So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9-12</a></span><br />But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son, / and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!” / Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-1.htm">Genesis 25:1-4</a></span><br />Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, / and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. / Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-45.htm">Genesis 41:45</a></span><br />Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph took charge of all the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/13-10.htm">Leviticus 13:10</a></span><br />The priest will examine him, and if there is a white swelling on the skin that has turned the hair white, and there is raw flesh in the swelling,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/13-46.htm">Leviticus 13:46</a></span><br />As long as he has the infection, he remains unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-2.htm">Matthew 8:2-4</a></span><br />Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. / Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-3.htm">Matthew 10:3</a></span><br />Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-40.htm">Mark 1:40-45</a></span><br />Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” / And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-27.htm">Luke 4:27</a></span><br />And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. Yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.</p><p class="hdg">Miriam</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/10-36.htm">Matthew 10:36</a></b></br> And a man's foes <i>shall be</i> they of his own household.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/12-48.htm">Matthew 12:48</a></b></br> But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/7-5.htm">John 7:5</a></b></br> For neither did his brethren believe in him.</p><p class="hdg">Ethiopian or Cushite</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/2-16.htm">Exodus 2:16,21</a></b></br> Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew <i>water</i>, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock… </p><p class="hdg">married.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/24-3.htm">Genesis 24:3,37</a></b></br> And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Genesis 26:34,35</a></b></br> And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/27-46.htm">Genesis 27:46</a></b></br> And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these <i>which are</i> of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/10-8.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-16.htm">Circumstance</a> <a href="/jeremiah/39-16.htm">Cushite</a> <a href="/acts/8-39.htm">Ethiopian</a> <a href="/numbers/11-11.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/numbers/11-24.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/numbers/11-25.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/numbers/5-30.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/12-4.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-18.htm">Circumstance</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-21.htm">Cushite</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-9.htm">Ethiopian</a> <a href="/numbers/12-8.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/numbers/13-1.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/numbers/12-8.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/numbers/26-59.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/12-1.htm">God rebukes the sedition of Miriam and Aaron</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/12-11.htm">Miriam's leprosy is healed at the prayer of Moses</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/12-14.htm">God commands her to be shut out of the host</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/12-16.htm">The people encamp in the desert of Paran</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses</b><br>Miriam and Aaron, siblings of Moses, held significant roles among the Israelites. Miriam was a prophetess (<a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20</a>), and Aaron was the high priest (<a href="/exodus/28.htm">Exodus 28:1</a>). Their criticism of Moses highlights a moment of familial and leadership tension. This incident reflects the human tendency towards jealousy and rivalry, even among those chosen by God for leadership. It also underscores the challenges Moses faced, not only from the people but from his own family. This criticism can be seen as a challenge to Moses' unique relationship with God, which is later addressed by God Himself (<a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Numbers 12:6-8</a>).<p><b>because of the Cushite woman he had married</b><br>The identity of the Cushite woman is debated. Cush typically refers to a region south of Egypt, often associated with modern-day Sudan or Ethiopia. This suggests that Moses' wife was of African descent, which may have been a point of contention due to ethnic and cultural differences. Some scholars propose that this woman could be Zipporah, Moses' Midianite wife (<a href="/exodus/2-21.htm">Exodus 2:21</a>), suggesting that "Cushite" might refer to her appearance or a different aspect of her identity. The mention of her ethnicity highlights issues of racial and cultural acceptance, which are still relevant today.<p><b>for he had taken a Cushite wife</b><br>The repetition emphasizes the reason for Miriam and Aaron's criticism. It suggests that their issue was not just with Moses' leadership but specifically with his marriage to a foreign woman. This reflects broader themes in the Old Testament regarding intermarriage with non-Israelites, which was often discouraged to prevent idolatry (<a href="/deuteronomy/7-3.htm">Deuteronomy 7:3-4</a>). However, Moses' marriage to a Cushite woman also prefigures the inclusive nature of God's covenant, which ultimately extends to all nations through Jesus Christ (<a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>). This incident serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty in choosing leaders and His broader plan for humanity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/miriam.htm">Miriam</a></b><br>The sister of Moses and Aaron, a prophetess who played a significant role in the Exodus account. Her criticism of Moses in this passage marks a pivotal moment in her relationship with God and her brothers.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a></b><br>The brother of Moses and Miriam, the first high priest of Israel. He joins Miriam in criticizing Moses, which leads to significant consequences.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The central figure in the Exodus account, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. His leadership and relationship with God are challenged by his siblings in this passage.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/cushite_woman.htm">Cushite Woman</a></b><br>The wife of Moses, whose identity sparks the criticism from Miriam and Aaron. The term "Cushite" refers to a person from Cush, a region often associated with modern-day Sudan or Ethiopia.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/criticism_event.htm">Criticism Event</a></b><br>The act of Miriam and Aaron speaking against Moses, which sets the stage for God's response and the subsequent lessons on leadership and humility.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_criticism.htm">The Danger of Criticism</a></b><br>Criticizing God's chosen leaders can lead to serious consequences. We must be cautious in our judgments and seek to understand God's purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility.htm">The Importance of Humility</a></b><br>Moses' humility is highlighted in contrast to Miriam and Aaron's pride. True leadership is marked by humility and reliance on God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_leadership.htm">God's Sovereignty in Leadership</a></b><br>God chooses leaders according to His purposes, not human preferences. We should trust His wisdom and support those He appoints.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_among_believers.htm">Unity Among Believers</a></b><br>Discord among God's people can hinder His work. We must strive for unity and peace within the body of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_family_in_ministry.htm">The Role of Family in Ministry</a></b><br>Family dynamics can impact ministry. It's important to maintain healthy relationships and address conflicts biblically.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_discontent_over_moses's_wife.htm">Is there any historical or archaeological evidence confirming discontent over Moses’s Cushite wife (Numbers 12:1), and why would such a marriage provoke divine anger? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_biblical_people_look.htm">What was the appearance of biblical people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_only_miriam_punished_in_numbers_12.htm">Why does Numbers 12:1–2 single out Miriam for punishment while Aaron seems to escape similar consequences for the same complaint? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_num_12_10's_leprosy_align_medically.htm">How does Numbers 12:10’s sudden, miraculous onset of leprosy align with medical understanding of the disease’s gradual development? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XII.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses.--</span>Miriam appears to have been the leader in this insurrection against the authority of Moses. Her name occurs before that of Aaron, either as the nearer or as the more prominent subject; and the verb which is rendered "spake" is in the feminine gender. Moreover, the judgment which was inflicted (<a href="/numbers/12-10.htm" title="And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked on Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.">Numbers 12:10</a>) fell upon Miriam, not upon Aaron. who seems to have yielded to the suggestions of Miriam, as he had previously done to the request of the Israelites in regard to the golden calf.<p><span class= "bld">Because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married.</span>--Some suppose that the reference is to Zipporah, who may have been included amongst the Asiatic division of the Ethiopians, or Cushites (comp. <a href="/habakkuk/3-7.htm" title="I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.">Habakkuk 3:7</a>, where the tents of Cushan, or Cush, are coupled with the curtains of Midian), and that the occasion of the opposition to Moses was the undue influence which he is supposed to have allowed Hobab and other members of Zipporah's family to exercise over him. This supposition, however, seems improbable on many accounts. The words, "for he had married an Ethiopian (or Cushite) woman," naturally point to some recent occurrence, not to one which had taken place more than forty years previously, and which is, therefore, very unlikely to have given occasion to the murmuring of Miriam and Aaron at this time. Moreover, the murmuring is expressly connected with the Cushite herself, not with any of the subsequent or incidental results of the marriage. It seems, therefore, much more probable that Zipporah was dead, and that Moses had married one of the African Cushites who had accompanied the Israelites in their march out of Egypt, or one of the Cushites who dwelt in Arabia, and who were found at this time in the neighbourhood of Sinai. A similar marriage had been contracted by Joseph, and such marriages were not forbidden by the Law, which prohibited marriage with the Canaanites (<a href="/exodus/34-16.htm" title="And you take of their daughters to your sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make your sons go a whoring after their gods.">Exodus 34:16</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Miriam</span> <span class="cmt_word">and Aaron spake against Moses.</span> While the people were encamped at Hazeroth (see verse 16), and therefore probably very soon after the events of the last chapter. That Miriam's was the moving spirit in the matter is sufficiently evident, <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> because her name stands first; <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> because the verb "spake" is in the feminine (<span class="hebrew">יַתְּדַבֵּר</span>, "and she said"); <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> because the ground of annoyance was a peculiarly feminine one, a <span class="accented">mesalliance</span>; . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/12-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then Miriam</span><br /><span class="heb">מִרְיָ֤ם</span> <span class="translit">(mir·yām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4813.htm">Strong's 4813: </a> </span><span class="str2">Miriam -- a sister of Aaron, also a man of Judah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Aaron</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַהֲרֹן֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’a·hă·rōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses</span><br /><br /><span class="word">criticized</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּדַבֵּ֨ר</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Moses</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמֹשֶׁ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(bə·mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because of</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Cushite</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֻּשִׁ֖ית</span> <span class="translit">(hak·ku·šîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3569.htm">Strong's 3569: </a> </span><span class="str2">Cushite -- descendant of Cush</span><br /><br /><span class="word">woman</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאִשָּׁ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he had married,</span><br /><span class="heb">לָקָ֑ח</span> <span class="translit">(lā·qāḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he had taken</span><br /><span class="heb">לָקָֽח׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·qāḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a Cushite</span><br /><span class="heb">כֻשִׁ֖ית</span> <span class="translit">(ḵu·šîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3569.htm">Strong's 3569: </a> </span><span class="str2">Cushite -- descendant of Cush</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wife.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִשָּׁ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/12-1.htm">Numbers 12:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/12-1.htm">Numbers 12:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/12-1.htm">Numbers 12:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/12-1.htm">Numbers 12:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/12-1.htm">Numbers 12:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/12-1.htm">Numbers 12:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/12-1.htm">Numbers 12:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/12-1.htm">Numbers 12:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/12-1.htm">Numbers 12:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/12-1.htm">Numbers 12:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/12-1.htm">OT Law: Numbers 12:1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/11-35.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 11:35"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 11:35" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/12-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 12:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 12:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>