Numbers 12:11
And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
7 of 15
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
נָ֨א
H4994
נָ֨א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
8 of 15
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙
H5921
עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
חַטָּ֔את
not the sin
H2403
חַטָּ֔את
not the sin
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
11 of 15
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נוֹאַ֖לְנוּ
upon us wherein we have done foolishly
H2973
נוֹאַ֖לְנוּ
upon us wherein we have done foolishly
Strong's:
H2973
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, to be slack, i.e., (figuratively) to be foolish
Cross References
2 Samuel 24:10And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.2 Samuel 19:19And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.Proverbs 30:32If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
Historical Context
Aaron's appeal to Moses as 'my lord' is striking given that Aaron was the older brother and high priest. Yet Moses' unique prophetic status superseded age and office. Aaron had previously shown weakness in the golden calf incident (Exodus 32); here he repeats the pattern. His repentance, while genuine, came after judgment fell—a reminder that sin's consequences often remain despite forgiveness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does genuine repentance require acknowledging sin as foolish rebellion, not mere mistake?
- What does Aaron's intercession for his co-sinner teach about corporate responsibility?
- Why do sin's consequences often remain even after repentance and forgiveness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Aaron's plea 'alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned' shows genuine repentance. The Hebrew bi (I beseech) conveys desperate pleading. Aaron acknowledges their sin as foolishness—irrational rebellion against God's appointed leader. His intercession for Miriam (who bore the visible judgment of leprosy) demonstrates both recognition of his guilt and intercession for his sister. This pictures repentance: acknowledging sin, accepting responsibility, pleading for mercy, and interceding for others involved.