Numbers 12:1

ยถ And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.

And Miriam {H4813} and Aaron {H175} spake {H1696} against Moses {H4872} because of {H182} the Ethiopian {H3571} woman {H802} whom he had married {H3947}: for he had married {H3947} an Ethiopian {H3571} woman {H802}.

Miryam and Aharon began criticizing Moshe on account of the Ethiopian woman he had married, for he had in fact married an Ethiopian woman.

Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, for he had taken a Cushite wife.

And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman.

Commentary

Context

Numbers 12:1 introduces a significant challenge to Moses' leadership, not from the general Israelite populace, but from his own siblings, Miriam and Aaron. This event immediately follows the appointment of seventy elders to assist Moses in bearing the burden of the people (Numbers 11), suggesting a potential undercurrent of jealousy or a desire for more prominence from Miriam and Aaron.

The stated reason for their complaint is Moses' marriage to an "Ethiopian woman." While scholars debate whether this refers to a second wife or is another description of his first wife, Zipporah (see Exodus 2:21), the crucial point is that this marriage became a pretext for their deeper grievance. The real issue, as revealed in the subsequent verse, was their challenge to Moses' unique prophetic authority and direct communion with God.

Key Themes

  • Jealousy and Envy: The verse highlights how personal grievances, even those outwardly focused on trivial or superficial matters (like Moses' marriage), can mask deeper issues of envy and a desire for power or recognition. Miriam and Aaron, despite their own significant roles (Miriam as a prophetess, Aaron as the high priest), coveted Moses' unique standing.
  • Challenging Divine Authority: Their speaking "against Moses" was, in essence, a challenge to God's chosen leader and, by extension, to God Himself. This act underscored a lack of reverence for the divine appointment of leadership.
  • The Nature of Leadership: The incident sets the stage for God's immediate and decisive defense of Moses, affirming the sanctity of the leadership He establishes and the consequences of undermining it.

Linguistic Insight

The term "Ethiopian woman" is translated from the Hebrew word Kushit (ื›ึผื•ึผืฉืึดื™ืช), referring to someone from Cush. Cush was an ancient kingdom south of Egypt, corresponding to modern-day Sudan or Nubia. This geographical detail might have implied a different cultural or racial background for Moses' wife, providing a convenient excuse for Miriam and Aaron's criticism, regardless of its true depth.

Practical Application

Numbers 12:1 serves as a cautionary tale against the destructive power of jealousy and the dangers of criticizing those in authority, particularly when that authority is divinely appointed. It reminds us:

  • To examine our own motives when we find ourselves critical of others, especially leaders. Is the criticism truly constructive, or is it rooted in envy or a desire for personal gain?
  • That God defends His chosen servants. Just as God swiftly intervened to protect Moses' unique position, He continues to uphold those He calls to serve, even when they face opposition.
  • Of the importance of humility, a quality Moses exemplifies in the verses that follow this confrontation (Numbers 12:3).
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 2:21 (7 votes)

    And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.

  • Genesis 26:34 (5 votes)

    ยถ 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:

  • Genesis 26:35 (5 votes)

    Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.

  • Genesis 24:37 (4 votes)

    And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:

  • Genesis 27:46 (4 votes)

    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 [which are] of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?

  • Matthew 10:36 (3 votes)

    And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household.

  • Genesis 24:3 (3 votes)

    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: