Numbers 12:2

Num 12:2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard [it].

Ver. 2. Hath the Lord spoken only by Moses.] Every man would be something at home; and many care not to raise themselves upon other men’s ruins. Self-love teacheth such to turn the glass, to see themselves bigger, others lesser than they are. That man hath true light that can be content to be a candle before the sun of others.

And the Lord heard it.] Without any delation of Moses. But while Moses is dumb, God speaks; while he is deaf, God hears and stirs. The more silent the patient is, the more shrill his wrong will be.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Num 12:2. By us — Are not we prophets as well as he? So Aaron was made, (Exo 4:15-16,) and so Miriam is called, Exo 15:20. And Moses hath debased and mixed the holy seed, which we have not done. Why then should he take all power to himself, and make rulers as he pleaseth, without consulting us? The Lord heard — Observed their words and carriage to Moses.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

12:2 The challenge to Moses’ authority was, by implication, a rejection of the Lord’s choice of Moses as Israel’s leader. • the Lord heard: The same phrase in 11:1 foreshadows the Lord’s response.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not also spoken by us?--The prophetical name and character was bestowed upon Aaron (Exo 4:15-16) and Miriam (Exo 15:20); and, therefore, they considered the conduct of Moses, in exercising an exclusive authority in this matter, as an encroachment on their rights (Mic 6:4).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 2. Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses?] It is certain that both Aaron and Miriam had received a portion of the prophetic spirit, (see Ex 4:15, and Ex 15:20), and therefore they thought they might have a share in the government; for though there was no kind of gain attached to this government, and no honour but such as came from God, yet the love of power is natural to the human mind; and in many instances men will sacrifice even honour, pleasure, and profit to the lust of power.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(2) Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses?—There is probably a reference in these words to the facts related in Exo_4:10-16, where Moses speaks of his own slowness of speech (Num_12:10), and where it is said of Aaron, “And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people” (Num_12:16). Miriam also is spoken of in Exo_15:20 as “the prophetess.” “Such is the depravity of human nature,” writes Calvin, “that they not only abuse the gifts of God towards the brother whom they despise, but by an ungodly and sacrilegious glorification extol the gifts themselves in such a manner as to hide the Author of the gifts.”

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. They do not deny Moses’ prophetic capacity, but they claim an equality with him. If Num_12:1 is not a fragment of a separate narrative, as some think, we must suppose that Moses’ marriage was the particular case which gave rise to their claim.

indeed spoken only] The Heb. is emphatic by the use (not found elsewhere) of the two synonyms—spoken only and solely.

with Moses] R.V. marg. ‘by Moses’ is a possible rendering, implying that Jehovah makes use of His prophet as a channel of communication with other men. But in Num_12:6 the poetic parallelism shews that ‘with him (in a dream)’ is equivalent to ‘unto him (in a vision).’ It is better, therefore, to retain that meaning here.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And they said, hath the Lord, indeed spoken only by Moses?.... They own he had spoken by him; this was so notorious that it could not be denied:

hath he not spoken also by us? are we not prophets as well as he? the Lord spake to Aaron while he was in Egypt, and had made him a good spokesman in his name, and bore this testimony of him, that he could speak well, and Miriam is expressly called a prophetess, Exo 4:14 Exo 15:20; and this being the case, they stomached it that they should have no concern in the choice and appointment of the seventy elders:

and the Lord heard it; for perhaps this was said secretly between themselves; but God, that sees, and hears, and knows all things, took notice of what was spoken by them, and resented it; for it was ultimately against himself, who had ordered Moses to do what he did.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Are not we prophets as well as he? so Aaron was made, Exo 4:15,16, and so Miriam is called, Exo 15:20. See also Mic 6:4. And Moses hath debased and mixed the holy seed, which we have not done. Why then should he take all power to himself, and make rulers as he pleaseth, without consulting us in the case? The Lord heard it, i. e. observed their words and carriage to Moses.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. Only by Moses — Jealousy of Moses, as the exclusive organ of divine revelation, is the inspiration of this unpleasant affair. Human forbearance is put to a severe test when those who were once our equals or inferiors are promoted to dignities and honours far above us. This truthfulness to fallen human nature is no small confirmation of the reality of this account.

And the Lord heard — The fact here mentioned prepares the way for the divine judgment which follows.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? This is evidently not the "speaking against Moses" mentioned in the previous verse, for that is distinctly said to have been on the score of Moses" marriage. This is their justification of themselves for daring to dispute his judgment and arraign his proceedings; a thing which clearly required justification. Moses himself, or more likely others for him, had remonstrated with them on the language they were using. They retorted that Moses had no monopoly of Divine communications; Aaron also received the revelation of God by Urim and Thummim, and Miriam was a prophetess. They were acknowledged in a general sense as sharing with him the leadership of Israel; (see Mic_6:4) upon this they meant to found a claim to coordinate authority. They would have had perhaps all matters settled in a family council in which they should have had an equal voice. It was hard for them both to forget that Moses was only their younger brother: for Miriam that she had saved his life as an infant; for Aaron that he had been as prominent as Moses in the original commission from God to the people. And the Lord heard it. In one sense he hears everything; in another sense there are many things which he does not choose to hear, because he does not wish to take judicial notice of them. Thus he had not "heard" the passionate complaints of Moses himself a short time before, because his will was then to pardon, not to punish. (cf. Isa_42:19 Mal_3:16)

The Lord listening.

"And the Lord heard it." Compare with this the words," And the Lord hearkened and heard". (Mal_3:16) We are thus reminded that God listens not only to take note of our sinful words, but to record every loving, faithful word, spoken of him or for him. What a proof of the omnipotence of God! Wonderful that he should attend to every prayer addressed to him. Still more so that he should listen to every word spoken not to him but to others. But at the same moment he can hear the brooks murmuring over their rocky beds, the trees clapping their hands, the floods lifting up their voice, the birds singing in the branches, the young lions roaring for their prey, and every sound of joy or cry of pain, every hymn of praise or word of falsehood issuing from human lips. (Psa_139:3, Psa_139:4, Psa_139:6) Without speaking of direct prayers we may seek illustrations of the truth that God listens to everything we say to one another, records it, passes his judgment on it, and lays it up in store as one of the materials of his future verdict on our lives. We may regard this truth

I AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT. As illustrations

1. Turn to the scene described in Mal_3:16. A few godly persons are trying to keep alive the flame of piety in a godless age (verses 13-15). Apply to social means of grace for mutual edification.

2. See that Christian man on a lonely walk, courteously conversing with a stranger, and seeking to recommend Christ to him. The stranger may go away to pray or to scoff, but that is not all. God hears and records the words as one of the good deeds done in the body. (2Co_5:10)

3. A godly mother in the midst of daily duties, not only praying but soliloquizing, as in Psa_62:1, Psa_62:2, Psa_62:5-7. Whether or not she may say Psa_5:1, God does "give ear," and the words are "acceptable". (Psa_19:14)

4. Sufferers lamenting; e. g. Hagar; (Gen_16:11) Ishmael; (Gen_21:17) Israel in Egypt; (Exo_2:24) mourners in Zion. (Isa_30:19)

II AS A WARNING. The truth has its shady as well as its sunny side. We may apply to

1. The swearer"s prayer, not intended for the ear of God, but reaching it.

2. Calumnies and backbitings, e.g., against Moses (verses 1, 2), or other servants of God; (cf. Zep_2:8) perhaps disliked because their lives are a rebuke to others. (cf. Psa_94:4, Psa_94:7, Psa_94:8, 9 Joh_15:18)

3. Impure words. The youth would be ashamed all day if his mother accidentally heard. But God heard.

4. Solitary words of repining or rebellion. Spoken in haste, they are soon regretted, and you say, "Well, at any rate nobody heard them." Stop and think again. (Num_11:1 Psa_139:7) The ear of God, like his eye, is in every place." Therefore Mat_12:37. This truth leads us by a single step to the heart of the gospel. (Act_20:21) And if we say Psa_17:3, God will hear that too, and give us strength to serve him with "righteous lips" and "joyful lips". P. (Psa_19:14)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

By us - Are not we prophets as well as he? so Aaron was made, Exod. iv, 15, 16, and so Miriam is called, Exod. xv, 20. And Moses hath debased and mixed the holy seed, which we have not done. Why then should he take all power to himself, and make rulers as he pleaseth, without consulting us. The Lord heard - Observed their words and carriage to Moses.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

הרק אך FOR HAS INDEED THE LORD SPOKEN with him alone.

הלא גם בנו HAS HE NOT ALSO [SPOKEN] WITH US, and we have not separated from our spouses! (Sifrei Bamidbar 100).

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.