I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?" With him I speak face to faceThe phrase "face to face" is derived from the Hebrew "פָּנִים אֶל־פָּנִים" (panim el-panim), which conveys a sense of direct, personal communication. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such direct communication with a deity was rare and signified a unique relationship. This phrase underscores the unparalleled intimacy Moses had with God, contrasting with the more indirect ways God communicated with others, such as through dreams or visions. It highlights Moses' unique role as a prophet and leader, chosen by God for a special purpose. clearly and not in riddles
The Hebrew word for "clearly" is "מַרְאֶה" (mar'eh), meaning a vision or appearance, suggesting clarity and directness. "Riddles" translates from "חִידוֹת" (chidot), which refers to enigmatic or obscure sayings. This distinction emphasizes the transparency and straightforwardness of God's communication with Moses, unlike the cryptic messages often given to other prophets. It reflects the clarity of God's will and instructions to Moses, ensuring that His commands were understood and executed precisely. he sees the form of the LORD
The term "form" comes from the Hebrew "תְּמוּנָה" (temunah), which can mean likeness or representation. While God is spirit and invisible, this phrase suggests that Moses was granted a unique perception of God's presence, a privilege not afforded to others. This does not imply a physical form but rather a profound spiritual encounter. It signifies the depth of Moses' prophetic experience and his unparalleled access to divine revelation, reinforcing his authority and the seriousness of opposing him. Why then were you not afraid
The rhetorical question posed by God highlights the gravity of Miriam and Aaron's challenge to Moses' authority. The Hebrew word for "afraid" is "יָרֵא" (yare), which encompasses fear, reverence, and awe. This question underscores the expectation of respect and reverence for God's chosen servant. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of undermining divinely appointed leadership and the importance of recognizing and honoring God's established order. to speak against My servant Moses?
The phrase "My servant Moses" emphasizes Moses' role as God's chosen instrument. The Hebrew word for "servant" is "עֶבֶד" (eved), which denotes a position of honor and responsibility. This designation highlights Moses' faithfulness and dedication to God's mission. Speaking against Moses was not merely a personal affront but an act of rebellion against God's divine plan. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the need for humility and submission to God's will. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure in this passage, Moses is God's chosen leader for the Israelites. He is described as having a unique relationship with God, speaking "face to face" with Him. 2. Aaron and MiriamSiblings of Moses who challenge his authority. Their actions prompt God's response in this passage. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who defends Moses and emphasizes the special nature of His communication with him. 4. The Tent of MeetingWhile not directly mentioned in this verse, it is the place where Moses often met with God, symbolizing the intimate communication between them. 5. The IsraelitesThe broader community affected by the leadership and decisions of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Teaching Points The Uniqueness of Moses' Prophetic RoleMoses' direct communication with God sets him apart from other prophets. This underscores the importance of respecting God's chosen leaders. The Danger of Jealousy and RebellionAaron and Miriam's challenge to Moses' authority serves as a warning against jealousy and rebellion against God's appointed leaders. The Fear of the LORDThe passage highlights the necessity of fearing God and respecting His decisions, as seen in His defense of Moses. God's Sovereignty in Choosing LeadersGod chooses whom He will to lead His people, and His choices should be respected and honored. The Importance of HumilityMoses' humility is a key aspect of his relationship with God, serving as a model for believers in their walk with the Lord. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the unique relationship between God and Moses in Numbers 12:8 challenge our understanding of leadership and authority in the church today? 2. In what ways can jealousy and rebellion manifest in our own lives, and how can we guard against these attitudes? 3. How does the concept of fearing the LORD apply to our daily decisions and interactions with others? 4. What can we learn from Moses' humility, and how can we apply this trait in our own spiritual journey? 5. How do the additional scriptures (Exodus 33:11, Deuteronomy 34:10, Hebrews 3:5-6) enhance our understanding of Moses' role and the nature of God's communication with His people? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 33:11This verse also describes the unique relationship between God and Moses, where God speaks to Moses "face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." Deuteronomy 34:10Highlights that no prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face. Hebrews 3:5-6Compares Moses' faithfulness in God's house to that of Christ, emphasizing the honor and responsibility of being God's servant. People Aaron, Miriam, MosesPlaces Hazeroth, Wilderness of ParanTopics Afraid, Apparently, Appearance, Attentively, Behold, Beholdeth, Beholds, Clearly, Dark, Evil, Face, Fear, Form, Manifestly, Mouth, Openly, Plainly, Riddles, Saying, Sayings, Sees, Servant, Similitude, Speak, Speech, Speeches, Talk, WhereforeDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 12:8 1255 face of God
1403 God, revelation
1443 revelation, OT
5854 experience, of God
8122 friendship, with God Numbers 12:1-11 8756 folly, examples Numbers 12:1-15 5550 speech, negative
5737 sisters Numbers 12:5-8 8474 seeing God Numbers 12:5-10 1454 theophany Numbers 12:6-8 5103 Moses, significance
8164 spirituality Numbers 12:7-8 7160 servants of the Lord
8344 servanthood, in believers Library Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and HebraicaNinth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ and the Christian's Citizenship in Heaven.
Text: Philippians 3, 17-21. 17 Brethren, be ye imitators [followers] together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample. 18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. 20 For our citizenship [conversation] is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 who …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Moses the Type of Christ.
"The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken."--Deut. xviii. 15. The history of Moses is valuable to Christians, not only as giving us a pattern of fidelity towards God, of great firmness, and great meekness, but also as affording us a type or figure of our Saviour Christ. No prophet arose in Israel like Moses, till Christ came, when the promise in the text was fulfilled--"The Lord thy God," says Moses, "shall …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel "But if Ye have Bitter Envying," &C.
James iii. 14.--"But if ye have bitter envying," &c. The cunning of Satan, and the deceitfulness of our own hearts, are such that when a grosser temptation will not prevail with conscience in some measure enlightened, then they transform themselves into angels of light, and deal more subtilely with us. And there is no greater subtilty of Satan, nor no stronger self deceit, than this, to palliate and cover vices with the shadow of virtue, and to present corruptions under the similitude of graces. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Brief Outline of Ancient Jewish Theological Literature
The arrangements of the synagogue, as hitherto described, combined in a remarkable manner fixedness of order with liberty of the individual. Alike the seasons and the time of public services, their order, the prayers to be offered, and the portions of the law to be read were fixed. On the other hand, between the eighteen "benedictions" said on ordinary days, and the seven repeated on the Sabbaths, free prayer might be inserted; the selection from the prophets, with which the public reading concluded--the …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.
(Palace of Caiaphas. Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 57, 59-68; ^B Mark XIV. 53, 55-65; ^C Luke XXII. 54, 63-65; ^D John XVIII. 24. ^d 24 Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. [Foiled in his attempted examination of Jesus, Annas sends him to trial.] ^b and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. ^a 57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, ^c and brought him into the high priest's house. ^a where …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 12:8 NIVNumbers 12:8 NLTNumbers 12:8 ESVNumbers 12:8 NASBNumbers 12:8 KJV
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