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Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the LORD heard them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Does the LORD speak only through Moses?” they said. “Does He not also speak through us?” And the LORD heard this.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard <i>it</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard <i>it.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they said, “Is it a fact that the LORD has spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?” And the LORD heard <i>this.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and they said, &#8220Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?&#8221 And the LORD heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?” And the LORD heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and they said, “Has Yahweh indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?” And Yahweh heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and they said, “Has the LORD really spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken also through us?” And the LORD heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They said, “Does the LORD speak only through Moses? Does he not also speak through us? ” And the LORD heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They said, &#8220Does the LORD speak only through Moses? Does He not also speak through us?&#8221 And the LORD heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they said, Hath Jehovah indeed spoken only with Moses? hath he not spoken also with us? And Jehovah heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only with Moses? hath he not spoken also with us? And the LORD heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They asked, "Did the LORD speak only through Moses? Didn't he also speak through us?" The LORD heard their complaint.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They said, "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Hasn't he also spoken through us?" The LORD heard what they said. ( <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They asked, "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Hasn't he also spoken through us?" But the LORD heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Does the LORD speak only through Moses?? they said. ?Does He not also speak through us?? And the LORD heard this.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They said, "Has the LORD only spoken through Moses? Has he not also spoken through us?" And the LORD heard it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They said, "Has the LORD indeed spoken only with Moses? Hasn't he spoken also with us?" And the LORD heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoke only by Moses? hath he not spoke also by us? And the LORD heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They said, “Has Yahweh indeed spoken only with Moses? Hasn’t he spoken also with us?” And Yahweh heard it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they say, “Has YHWH only spoken by Moses? Has he not also spoken by us?” And YHWH hears.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they say, 'Only by Moses hath Jehovah spoken? also by us hath he not spoken?' and Jehovah heareth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will say, Did Jehovah only now speak by Moses? Did he not also speak by us? And Jehovah will hear.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they said: Hath the Lord spoken by Moses only? hath he not also spoken to us in like manner? And when the Lord heard this, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />and they said: “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Has he not also spoken similarly to us?” And when the Lord had heard this,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They complained, “Is it through Moses alone that the LORD has spoken? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard this.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and they said, “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they said, Has the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? Has he not spoken by us also? And the LORD heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they were saying, “Has LORD JEHOVAH spoken only with Moshe? Behold, he has spoken also with us”; and LORD JEHOVAH heard.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they said: 'Hath the LORD indeed spoken only with Moses? hath He not spoken also with us?' And the LORD heard it.--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they said, Has the Lord spoken to Moses only? has he not also spoken to us? and the Lord heard it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/12-2.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=3874" 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>Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, for he had taken a Cushite wife. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">“Does the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: dib·ber (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">speak</a> <a href="/hebrew/7535.htm" title="7535: hă·raq (Adv) -- The same as raq as a noun; properly, leanness, i.e. limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although.">only</a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ- (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only."></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.">through Moses?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they said.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“Does He not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">also</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: ḏib·bêr (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">speak</a> <a href="/hebrew/bā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">through us?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">And the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: way·yiš·ma‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">heard this.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.…<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/4-11.htm">Exodus 4:11-12</a></span><br />And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD? / Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15-18</a></span><br />The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him. / This is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God or see this great fire anymore, so that we will not die!” / Then the LORD said to me, “They have spoken well. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/33-11.htm">Exodus 33:11</a></span><br />Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-5.htm">Hebrews 3:5-6</a></span><br />Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later. / But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-35.htm">Acts 7:35-39</a></span><br />This Moses, whom they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be their ruler and redeemer through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. / He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness. / This is the same Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2-3</a></span><br />And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. / “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">1 Samuel 8:7</a></span><br />And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-45.htm">John 5:45-47</a></span><br />Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have put your hope. / If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. / But since you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-11.htm">Exodus 14:11-12</a></span><br />They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us into the wilderness to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? / Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-10.htm">1 Corinthians 10:10</a></span><br />And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2-3</a></span><br />So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?” / But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt—to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-57.htm">Matthew 13:57</a></span><br />And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/32-1.htm">Exodus 32:1</a></span><br />Now when the people saw that Moses was delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-24.htm">Luke 4:24</a></span><br />Then He added, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/15-24.htm">Exodus 15:24</a></span><br />So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they said, Has the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? has he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.</p><p class="hdg">hath the Lord</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/16-3.htm">Numbers 16:3</a></b></br> And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, <i>Ye take</i> too much upon you, seeing all the congregation <i>are</i> holy, every one of them, and the LORD <i>is</i> among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/4-30.htm">Exodus 4:30</a></b></br> And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/5-1.htm">Exodus 5:1</a></b></br> And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.</p><p class="hdg">hath he not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/11-29.htm">Numbers 11:29</a></b></br> And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, <i>and</i> that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-10.htm">Proverbs 13:10</a></b></br> Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised <i>is</i> wisdom.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/12-3.htm">Romans 12:3,10</a></b></br> For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think <i>of himself</i> more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith… </p><p class="hdg">and the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/11-1.htm">Numbers 11:1</a></b></br> And <i>when</i> the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard <i>it</i>; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed <i>them that were</i> in the uttermost parts of the camp.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/29-33.htm">Genesis 29:33</a></b></br> And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I <i>was</i> hated, he hath therefore given me this <i>son</i> also: and she called his name Simeon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/11-27.htm">2 Samuel 11:27</a></b></br> And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/14-48.htm">Hasn't</a> <a href="/numbers/11-10.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-1.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-19.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/numbers/11-24.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/16-29.htm">Hasn't</a> <a href="/numbers/14-13.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/numbers/16-4.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/numbers/14-21.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Words</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>Does the LORD speak only through Moses?</b><br>This question arises from a moment of jealousy and challenge to Moses' unique leadership role. Miriam and Aaron, Moses' siblings, question his exclusive prophetic authority. In the broader biblical context, Moses is established as God's chosen leader to deliver Israel from Egypt and to mediate the covenant at Sinai (<a href="/exodus/3-10.htm">Exodus 3:10, 19</a>:3-6). This challenge reflects a misunderstanding of Moses' unique relationship with God, which is later affirmed in <a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Numbers 12:6-8</a>, where God clarifies that Moses is unlike any other prophet, speaking with God face to face. The question also highlights the human tendency to question divinely appointed leadership, a theme seen throughout Scripture, such as in Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16).<p><b>they said.</b><br>The plural pronoun "they" refers to Miriam and Aaron, indicating a united front in their challenge against Moses. This familial conflict is significant, as it involves those closest to Moses, suggesting that even within a family, divine roles and callings can be sources of tension. The narrative underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting God's chosen leaders, regardless of personal relationships or ambitions.<p><b>Does He not also speak through us?</b><br>Miriam and Aaron assert their own prophetic roles, which is not entirely unfounded. Aaron, as the high priest, and Miriam, identified as a prophetess (<a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20</a>), both have significant roles in Israel's spiritual life. However, their roles do not equate to the unique position Moses holds. This statement reflects a broader biblical theme of God using various individuals for His purposes, yet assigning different roles and responsibilities. The New Testament echoes this in passages like <a href="/1_corinthians/12.htm">1 Corinthians 12</a>, which discusses the diversity of spiritual gifts and roles within the body of Christ.<p><b>And the LORD heard this.</b><br>This phrase indicates God's awareness and involvement in the situation. It serves as a reminder of God's omniscience and His active role in the affairs of His people. Theologically, it underscores the principle that God hears and responds to the words and actions of His people, whether in faithfulness or rebellion. This is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/94-9.htm">Psalm 94:9</a>, which affirms that God hears and sees all. The subsequent divine response in <a href="/numbers/12-4.htm">Numbers 12:4-10</a> demonstrates God's defense of His chosen servant and the seriousness with which He regards challenges to His appointed leadership.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The central figure in the Book of Numbers, Moses is God's chosen leader for the Israelites. He is known for his humility and close relationship with God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/miriam.htm">Miriam</a></b><br>The sister of Moses and Aaron, Miriam is a prophetess and a leader among the women of Israel. Her role in this event highlights issues of pride and jealousy.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a></b><br>The brother of Moses and Miriam, Aaron serves as the high priest. His involvement in this event shows his susceptibility to peer pressure and familial loyalty.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The sovereign God of Israel, who hears the complaints and responds to the challenge against His chosen leader, Moses.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tent_of_meeting.htm">The Tent of Meeting</a></b><br>The place where God communicates with Moses, symbolizing His presence among the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_pride_and_jealousy.htm">The Danger of Pride and Jealousy</a></b><br>Miriam and Aaron's challenge to Moses' authority stems from pride and jealousy. Believers must guard against these sins, recognizing that God appoints leaders according to His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_leadership.htm">God's Sovereignty in Leadership</a></b><br>God chooses whom He will speak through and lead His people. We must trust His decisions and support those He has placed in authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility.htm">The Importance of Humility</a></b><br>Moses is described as very humble, more than any other person on earth (<a href="/numbers/12-3.htm">Numbers 12:3</a>). Humility is a key characteristic for those in leadership and for all believers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god_hears_and_responds.htm">God Hears and Responds</a></b><br>The LORD hears the complaints of Miriam and Aaron, reminding us that God is aware of our words and attitudes. We should speak and act with reverence and respect.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_accountability.htm">The Role of Accountability</a></b><br>Miriam and Aaron are held accountable for their words against Moses. Believers should be mindful of their words and actions, knowing they will be accountable to God.<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/is_numbers_2's_tribal_order_anachronistic.htm">Does the strict tribal arrangement in Numbers 2 align with known nomadic practices from the same era, or does it suggest an anachronistic editorial insertion?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_interracial_marriage.htm">What is the Bible's stance on interracial marriage?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_black_people.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on black people?</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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses</span>?--There is probably a reference in these words to the facts related in <a href="/context/exodus/4-10.htm" title="And Moses said to the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since you have spoken to your servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.">Exodus 4:10-16</a>, where Moses speaks of his own slowness of speech (<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>), and where it is said of Aaron, "And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people" (<a href="/numbers/12-16.htm" title="And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.">Numbers 12:16</a>). Miriam also is spoken of in <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm" title="And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.">Exodus 15:20</a> as "the prophetess." "Such is the depravity of human nature," writes Calvin, "that they not only abuse the gifts of God towards the brother whom they despise, but by an ungodly and sacrilegious glorification extol the gifts themselves in such a manner as to hide the Author of the gifts."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And</span> <span class="cmt_word">they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?</span> This is evidently not the "speaking against Moses" mentioned in the previous verse, for that is distinctly said to have been on the score of Moses' marriage. This is their justification of themselves for daring to dispute his judgment and arraign his proceedings; a thing which clearly required justification. Moses himself, or more likely others for him, had remonstrated with them on the language they were using. They retorted that Moses had no monopoly of Divine communications; Aaron also received the revelation of God by Urim and Thummim, and Miriam was a prophetess. They were acknowledged in a general sense as sharing with him the leadership of Israel (see <a href="/micah/6-4.htm">Micah 6:4</a>); upon this they meant to found a claim to coordinate authority. They would have had perhaps all matters settled in a family council in which they should have had an equal voice. It was hard for them both to forget that Moses was only their younger brother: for Miriam that she had saved his <span class="accented">life</span> as an infant; for Aaron that he had been as prominent as Moses in the original commission from God to the people. <span class="cmt_word">And the Lord heard it.</span> In one sense he hears everything; in another sense there are many things which he does not choose to hear, because he does not wish to take judicial notice of them. Thus he had not "heard" the passionate complaints of Moses himself a short time before, because his will was then to pardon, not to punish (cf. <a href="/isaiah/42-19.htm">Isaiah 42:19</a>; <a href="/malachi/3-16.htm">Malachi 3:16</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/12-2.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">“Does the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">speak</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבֶּ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(dib·ber)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine 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">only</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲרַ֤ק</span> <span class="translit">(hă·raq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7535.htm">Strong's 7535: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless</span><br /><br /><span class="word">through Moses?”</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמֹשֶׁה֙</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">they said.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Does He not</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲלֹ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">also</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">speak</span><br /><span class="heb">דִבֵּ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(ḏib·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine 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">through us?”</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּ֣נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(bā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">And the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heard this.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁמַ֖ע</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·ma‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/12-2.htm">Numbers 12:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/12-2.htm">Numbers 12:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/12-2.htm">Numbers 12:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/12-2.htm">Numbers 12:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/12-2.htm">Numbers 12:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/12-2.htm">Numbers 12:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/12-2.htm">Numbers 12:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/12-2.htm">Numbers 12:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/12-2.htm">Numbers 12:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/12-2.htm">Numbers 12:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/12-2.htm">OT Law: Numbers 12:2 They said Has Yahweh indeed spoken only (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/12-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 12:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 12:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/12-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 12:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 12:3" /></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>