Numbers 12:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

Complete Jewish Bible:

With him I speak face to face and clearly, not in riddles; he sees the image of ADONAI. So why weren't you afraid to criticize my servant Moshe?"

Berean Standard Bible:

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?”

American Standard Version:

with him will I speak mouth to mouth, even manifestly, and not in dark speeches; and the form of Jehovah shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

With him will I speak^{H1696} mouth^{H6310} to mouth^{H6310}, even apparently^{H4758}, and not in dark speeches^{H2420}; and the similitude^{H8544} of the LORD^{H3068} shall he behold^{H5027}: wherefore then were ye not afraid^{H3372} to speak^{H1696} against my servant^{H5650} Moses^{H4872}?

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 12:8

1. Themes:
- Divine Communication: The verse emphasizes the unique and direct way God communicates with Moses, contrasting it with the more mysterious or obscure methods often used with other prophets.
- Prophetic Authority: It underscores Moses' special status as a prophet who has a particularly intimate relationship with God, thereby affirming his authority over other Israelite leaders.
- Respect for God's Chosen: The rhetorical question at the end of the verse rebukes those who challenge Moses' leadership, implying that they should have been more reverent towards someone so clearly chosen and supported by God.

2. Historical Context:
- The verse is part of the narrative in Numbers 12 where Miriam and Aaron, Moses' siblings, speak against Moses, likely due to jealousy over his close relationship with God and his leadership role.
- The Israelites are in the wilderness, having fled Egypt, and are on their way to the Promised Land. This period is characterized by numerous challenges to Moses' authority and the Israelites' faith.
- The incident occurs after God has given Moses the Ten Commandments and the Law, further solidifying Moses' role as the preeminent prophet and leader of the Israelites.
- The direct communication from God to Moses serves to validate Moses' actions and decisions, which are sometimes questioned by the people and even his own family.
- The context also includes the themes of God's sovereignty, the selection of leaders, and the consequences of rebelling against God's chosen servants.

In summary, Numbers 12:8 highlights the special relationship between God and Moses, affirming Moses' unparalleled prophetic role and the necessity of respecting divine appointments, all set against the backdrop of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and the establishment of Mosaic leadership.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6310
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּה
   Transliteration: peh
   Pronunciation: peh
   Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4758
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַרְאֶה
   Transliteration: marʼeh
   Pronunciation: mar-eh'
   Description: from רָאָה; a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks), or (mental) a vision; [idiom] apparently, appearance(-reth), [idiom] as soon as beautiful(-ly), countenance, fair, favoured, form, goodly, to look (up) on (to), look(-eth), pattern, to see, seem, sight, visage, vision.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2420
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חִידָה
   Transliteration: chîydâh
   Pronunciation: khee-daw'
   Description: from חוּד; a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim; dark saying (sentence, speech), hard question, proverb, riddle.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8544
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תְּמוּנָה
   Transliteration: tᵉmûwnâh
   Pronunciation: tem-oo-naw'
   Description: or תְּמֻנָה; from מִין; something portioned (i.e. fashioned) out, as ashape, i.e. (indefinitely) phantom, or (specifically) embodiment, or (figuratively) manifestation (of favor); image, likeness, similitude.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5027
   There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָבַט
   Transliteration: nâbaṭ
   Pronunciation: naw-bat'
   Description: a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care; (cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3372
   There are 305 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרֵא
   Transliteration: yârêʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-ray'
   Description: a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten; affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).
   
9. Strong's Number: H5650
   There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶבֶד
   Transliteration: ʻebed
   Pronunciation: eh'-bed
   Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.
   
10. Strong's Number: H4872
    There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
    Transliteration: Môsheh
    Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
    Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.