Numbers 12:6

KJV

And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, [I] the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, [and] will speak unto him in a dream.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, Hear {H8085} now my words {H1697}: If there be a prophet {H5030} among you, I the LORD {H3068} will make myself known {H3045} unto him in a vision {H4759}, and will speak {H1696} unto him in a dream {H2472}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said, "Listen to what I say: when there is a prophet among you, I, ADONAI, make myself known to him in a vision, I speak with him in a dream.

Berean Standard Bible

He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.

American Standard Version

And he said, Hear now my words: if there be a prophet among you, I Jehovah will make myself known unto him in a vision, I will speak with him in a dream.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 12:6 presents God's foundational declaration regarding the typical modes of prophetic revelation, specifically through visions and dreams. This divine pronouncement serves as a direct response to Miriam and Aaron's challenge to Moses' unique authority, establishing the general rule for prophetic communication before highlighting Moses' unparalleled and more intimate relationship with the LORD. It underscores God's sovereignty in choosing how and to whom He reveals His will, setting the stage for the subsequent verses that distinguish Moses' direct, "mouth to mouth" encounter from the more common forms of divine disclosure.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 12:6 is situated at a critical juncture in the book of Numbers, immediately following Miriam and Aaron's open rebellion against Moses' leadership and his Cushite wife in [Numbers 12:1](/numbers/12-1 "Numbers 12:1 - Miriam and Aaron Challenge Moses"). Their challenge directly questions Moses' unique prophetic standing, asking, "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?" (implied from [Numbers 12:2](/numbers/12-2 "Numbers 12:2 - Their Question to God")). God's swift and direct intervention, bypassing Moses entirely to address Miriam and Aaron, emphasizes the gravity of their sin and His unwavering defense of His chosen servant. This verse, [Numbers 12:6](/numbers/12-6 "Numbers 12:6 - God's Revelation to Prophets"), serves as a preamble to the subsequent verses ([Numbers 12:7-8](/numbers/12-7 "Numbers 12:7-8 - God's Unique Relationship with Moses")) which explicitly detail the unparalleled nature of God's communication with Moses, contrasting it with the standard prophetic revelation outlined here.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, dreams and visions were widely recognized and accepted as legitimate channels for divine communication. Prophets, seers, and diviners often claimed to receive messages from their deities through these means. The Old Testament itself provides numerous examples of God communicating through dreams (e.g., to [Abimelech in Genesis 20:3](/genesis/20-3 "Genesis 20:3 - God Speaks to Abimelech in a Dream"), to [Joseph in Genesis 37:5-10](/genesis/37-5 "Genesis 37:5-10 - Joseph's Prophetic Dreams"), to [Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2:1-3](/daniel/2-1 "Daniel 2:1-3 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream")) and visions (e.g., to [Isaiah in Isaiah 1:1](/isaiah/1-1 "Isaiah 1:1 - The Vision of Isaiah"), to [Ezekiel in Ezekiel 1:1-3](/ezekiel/1-1 "Ezekiel 1:1-3 - Ezekiel's Vision of God's Glory"), to [Amos in Amos 7:1-9](/amos/7-1 "Amos 7:1-9 - Amos's Visions of Judgment")). This verse affirms that Yahweh, the God of Israel, also employs these common modes of revelation, thereby validating the prophetic office within Israel while simultaneously setting the stage to distinguish Moses' unique access.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Revelation and Communication**, emphasizing God's initiative in making Himself known to humanity, particularly through His chosen spokespersons, the prophets. Secondly, it underscores **God's Sovereignty in Revelation**, asserting that the LORD determines the *how* and *to whom* of His self-disclosure, rather than it being a human-initiated process. Thirdly, it is crucial for establishing **Moses' Unique Authority and Relationship with God**, serving as a baseline against which his unparalleled "mouth to mouth" communication (detailed in [Numbers 12:8](/numbers/12-8 "Numbers 12:8 - God's Direct Communication with Moses")) is contrasted. This distinction powerfully reinforces Moses' divinely appointed leadership and the legitimacy of his role as the primary mediator of the covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vision (Hebrew, _mar'ah'_):** This term refers to a direct, often waking, visual experience through which God reveals Himself or His messages. It implies a clear perception and understanding imparted by God, not necessarily a literal sight of God's form, but a profound spiritual insight or a divinely orchestrated mental image. It is distinct from ordinary sight, being a supernatural manifestation of divine truth.
* **Dream (Hebrew, _chalom'_):** This denotes a form of divine communication received while a person is asleep. Dreams were a well-established and common medium in the ancient world for deities to convey warnings, instructions, or future events. In a biblical context, these are not mere subconscious meanderings but divinely inspired messages, often symbolic, requiring interpretation (as seen with Joseph and Daniel).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Hear now my words:"** This opening phrase signals a direct, authoritative, and solemn declaration from God Himself. It commands attention, indicating that what follows is of utmost importance and carries divine weight, directly addressing Miriam and Aaron's challenge.
* **"If there be a prophet among you,"** This clause establishes the general premise: God acknowledges the existence of prophets among His people. It sets the stage for a statement about the *typical* way He interacts with such individuals, implying a standard protocol for divine communication to those called to prophetic ministry.
* **"[I] the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision,"** This specifies the first common method of revelation. The emphasis on "I the LORD" (Yahweh) highlights His sovereignty and initiative. A "vision" implies a divinely granted perception, often visual or mental, through which God's message or presence is made manifest to the prophet.
* **"[and] will speak unto him in a dream."** This specifies the second common method. "Dream" refers to communication received during sleep. Both "vision" and "dream" represent indirect forms of revelation, often requiring interpretation or a heightened state of spiritual receptivity, and are contrasted with the direct, unmediated communication Moses would experience.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 12:6 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Contrast**, which is implicitly set up here and explicitly developed in the subsequent verses. This verse establishes the "norm" for prophetic revelation (visions and dreams), creating a baseline against which Moses' unique "mouth to mouth" communication will be powerfully contrasted in [Numbers 12:8](/numbers/12-8 "Numbers 12:8 - God's Direct Communication with Moses"). This contrast serves to elevate Moses' authority and underscore the unparalleled nature of his relationship with God. The phrase "Hear now my words" functions as an **Imperative** and a **Command**, demanding immediate and serious attention from Miriam, Aaron, and indeed, all of Israel. It emphasizes the divine authority behind the declaration. Furthermore, the use of "I the LORD" (Yahweh) is a form of **Divine Self-Attestation**, reinforcing God's identity as the sovereign speaker and the ultimate source of all revelation, thereby lending indisputable weight to His pronouncement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 12:6 is foundational for understanding the nature of divine revelation in the Old Testament. It affirms that God is not silent but actively communicates with humanity, choosing specific individuals—prophets—as His conduits. The methods of vision and dream underscore that God's communication is often mediated, requiring spiritual discernment and sometimes interpretation, yet it is always initiated by Him. This verse sets the stage for the unique relationship God had with Moses, highlighting that while visions and dreams were common, Moses experienced an unparalleled intimacy and directness, signifying his distinct role as the mediator of the Old Covenant. This distinction is crucial for understanding the hierarchy of revelation and the unique authority God bestowed upon His chosen leaders.

* [Genesis 15:1](/genesis/15-1 "God Appears to Abram in a Vision")
* [Job 33:15-16](/job/33-15 "God Speaks in Dreams")
* [Joel 2:28](/joel/2-28 "God's Spirit Poured Out, Visions and Dreams")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 12:6 reminds us that God is a speaking God who desires to make Himself known to His people. While the dramatic visions and dreams of Old Testament prophets were specific modes of revelation for a particular era and purpose, the underlying principle of God's active communication remains eternally true. For believers today, God primarily speaks through His inspired and authoritative written Word, the Bible, which is a more sure word of prophecy ([2 Peter 1:19](/2_peter/1-19 "2 Peter 1:19 - The Prophetic Word Made More Certain")). He also communicates through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who illuminates Scripture, provides guidance, and convicts of sin ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Guides")). This verse encourages us to cultivate a listening heart, to immerse ourselves in God's Word, to pray for discernment, and to remain open to the various ways the Spirit might lead and speak in our lives, always testing every impression against the unchanging truth of Scripture. It calls us to respect God's sovereignty in how He chooses to reveal Himself and to seek Him diligently.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I actively listen for God's voice in my daily life?**
* **How does understanding God's various modes of revelation (vision, dream, direct speech) deepen my appreciation for the Bible as His primary revelation today?**
* **What does God's defense of Moses in Numbers 12 teach me about respecting the authority He places in leaders?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's guidance and illumination of Scripture?**

### FAQ
**Does God still speak to people through visions and dreams today?**

Answer: While the primary and most authoritative form of God's revelation for believers today is His written Word, the Bible, the Scriptures do indicate that God can and sometimes does still communicate through visions and dreams. The prophet Joel prophesied that in the last days, God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, and "your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions" ([Joel 2:28](/joel/2-28 "Joel 2:28 - God's Spirit Poured Out")). This prophecy is quoted by Peter on the Day of Pentecost in [Acts 2:17](/acts/2-17 "Acts 2:17 - Peter's Sermon on Pentecost"), suggesting its fulfillment began with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Throughout church history and in contemporary global Christianity, there are testimonies of believers receiving divine guidance, warnings, or encouragement through dreams and visions. However, it is crucial to always test such experiences against the infallible truth of Scripture ([1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")) and to recognize that they are supplementary to, not a replacement for, the Bible.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 12:6, by establishing the typical modes of prophetic revelation, implicitly highlights the ultimate and perfect revelation found in Jesus Christ. While God spoke to prophets in visions and dreams, and even to Moses "mouth to mouth," these were all partial and preparatory revelations. The book of Hebrews declares, "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son" ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). Jesus is the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the very **Logos** of God, who perfectly embodies and reveals the Father. He is not merely a prophet who receives visions or dreams, but the divine Son who is eternally with the Father and perfectly knows Him ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")). In Christ, God's self-disclosure reaches its zenith; He is the complete and final word from God to humanity, the ultimate fulfillment of all prophetic revelation. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fully revealed God's character, plan of salvation, and the way to eternal life, surpassing all previous forms of communication.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 31:10

And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle [were] ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.

Genesis 31:11

And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, [saying], Jacob: And I said, Here [am] I.

1 Kings 3:5

¶ In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

Genesis 46:2

And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here [am] I.

Luke 1:22

And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

Acts 22:17

And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

Acts 22:18

And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.