Numbers 12:2 kjv
And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
Numbers 12:2 nkjv
So they said, "Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?" And the LORD heard it.
Numbers 12:2 niv
"Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?" they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us?" And the LORD heard this.
Numbers 12:2 esv
And they said, "Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?" And the LORD heard it.
Numbers 12:2 nlt
They said, "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Hasn't he spoken through us, too?" But the LORD heard them.
Numbers 12 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 34:10 | "And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses..." | Moses' unmatched prophetic status |
| Exod 33:11 | "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face..." | God's direct communion with Moses |
| Num 11:16-17, 25-29 | "I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them..." | Spirit shared with elders, distinct from Moses |
| Heb 3:5-6 | "Moses verily was faithful in all his house... but Christ as a son..." | Moses' faithfulness vs. Christ's sonship |
| 1 Tim 5:19 | "...Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses." | Protecting leadership from false accusation |
| 1 Pet 2:1 | "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings..." | Warning against evil speaking/slander |
| Titus 3:2 | "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men." | Avoiding speaking evil |
| Jas 4:11 | "Speak not evil one of another, brethren..." | Condemnation of speaking evil |
| Prov 16:18 | "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." | Consequence of pride |
| 1 Cor 10:10 | "Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured..." | Warning against murmuring (Num 12) |
| Ps 94:7-9 | "...He that planted the ear, shall he not hear?..." | God's omniscience, hearing all things |
| Gen 18:21 | "I will go down now, and see whether they have done according to the cry..." | God's attentive listening and investigation |
| Num 14:27-28 | "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings..." | God hears murmurings directly |
| Deut 5:31 | "But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee..." | Moses as a singular intermediary |
| Exod 4:12 | "Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." | God's active enabling of Moses' speech |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God..." | Submitting to God-appointed authority |
| 1 Sam 8:7 | "Hearken unto the voice of the people... for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me..." | Rejecting human leader can be rejecting God |
| 1 Sam 2:3 | "...the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed." | God discerns thoughts and words |
| Job 22:27 | "Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee..." | God hears all speech |
| Matt 12:36 | "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." | Accountability for words |
| Num 12:3 | "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." | Moses' humility contrasts their pride |
| Exod 15:20 | "And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand..." | Miriam's prophetic role (contrast) |
Numbers 12 verses
Numbers 12 2 Meaning
Numbers 12:2 captures the essence of Miriam and Aaron's challenge against Moses, expressing their perceived equality in divine communication. They questioned Moses' unique standing, suggesting that the LORD did not exclusively speak through him but also through themselves. This direct challenge to Moses' distinctive prophetic authority and mediating role was immediately heard by the LORD, indicating His full awareness and forthcoming intervention regarding their words.
Numbers 12 2 Context
Numbers chapter 12 details an instance of insubordination within Israel's leadership, immediately following Moses' plea for help in leading the murmuring people (Numbers 11). Miriam and Aaron, Moses' own siblings, challenged his authority, citing his Cushite wife as a pretext. However, their true discontent was a direct questioning of his singular, unparalleled relationship with the LORD and their own standing relative to him. The broader context highlights the ongoing theme of challenging divine authority in the wilderness journey and the LORD's consistent vindication of His chosen servant, Moses, affirming His precise appointments and covenant faithfulness.
Numbers 12 2 Word analysis
- And they said (וַיֹּאמְרוּ, vayyomeru): This plural verb indicates that both Miriam and Aaron actively participated in voicing the complaint, showing a unified challenge against Moses. The structure emphasizes the shared nature of their contention.
- Hath the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This refers to God's personal, covenant name, emphasizing that their questioning directly implicates God's choices and authority in choosing His mouthpiece.
- indeed spoken only (הֲרַק אַךְ־, ha-raq akh): This phrase is highly significant.
Harakmeans "only" or "but only," andakhreinforces the exclusivity, translating to "is it only..." The double emphatic highlights their specific challenge to Moses' unique and sole mediatory role, indicating their desire to dismantle his singular position. - by Moses (בְּמֹשֶׁה, b'Mosheh): Denotes Moses as the exclusive medium through which the LORD communicates His direct and authoritative revelation to Israel. This refers to the unparalleled intimacy and clarity of God's communication with him.
- hath he not spoken also by us (וְלֹא גַם־בָּנוּ דִבֵּר, v'lo gam-banu dibber): This rhetorical question, posed with "not also," expresses their claim to similar prophetic or authoritative access to God. Miriam was a prophetess (Exod 15:20), and Aaron was the high priest; they felt their own significant roles should afford them a comparable standing to Moses in terms of direct divine revelation and leadership. The same verb "spoken" (
dibber) is used, equating their claim to Moses'. - And the LORD heard it (וַיִּשְׁמַע יְהוָה, vayyishma YHWH): This simple declarative statement conveys immediate divine cognizance. "Heard" (from shama) implies not merely sensing sound, but understanding, paying attention, and often responding or preparing to judge. It signifies God's direct and attentive awareness of every word uttered against His appointed leader, leaving no doubt about His upcoming response.
Word Groups Analysis:
- "Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?": This complete dual question is the core of their rebellion. It's a bold assertion of their entitlement to a unique position of revelation and leadership, directly challenging the unique relationship between the LORD and Moses. It implicitly questions God's wisdom in His selection process and allocation of authority.
- "And the LORD heard it": This concise phrase establishes the omniscient and active presence of God. It acts as a divine punctuation mark, indicating that the matter is no longer merely an internal family dispute or leadership squabble, but a direct offense against God Himself, who would not allow His chosen one's authority to be undermined.
Numbers 12 2 Bonus section
The immediate and definitive judgment that follows in Numbers 12 is unique because God directly intervenes without Moses even interceding. This stark contrast with other instances of murmuring (where Moses often pleads for the people) underscores the severe gravity of challenging a leader chosen for such intimate communion and faithfulness. Miriam and Aaron's complaint wasn't merely a matter of gossip but a direct assault on the divine pattern of leadership, reflecting a subtle, insidious form of pride. Their query implies a misunderstanding of divine calling – not everyone is called to the same specific mode of relationship or leadership, even if they too are gifted or appointed in other capacities.
Numbers 12 2 Commentary
Numbers 12:2 lays bare the envious hearts of Miriam and Aaron, whose challenge against Moses' authority stemmed from a desire for equal standing in divine communication. Their questioning, "Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?", highlights their underestimation of Moses' singular prophetic role and God's sovereign choice. It was not merely a family dispute but a theological challenge to the very nature of God's revelation through His chosen vessel. The LORD's immediate act of hearing signifies His perfect awareness and profound displeasure at their disrespect for His established order and appointed leader, setting the stage for His swift and decisive vindication of Moses. This serves as a warning against slandering and undermining those whom God has uniquely chosen for leadership within His covenant community.