Numbers 12:14
And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְאָבִ֙יהָ֙
If her father
H1
וְאָבִ֙יהָ֙
If her father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
5 of 19
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
בְּפָנֶ֔יהָ
in her face
H6440
בְּפָנֶ֔יהָ
in her face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הֲלֹ֥א
H3808
הֲלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִכָּלֵ֖ם
should she not be ashamed
H3637
תִכָּלֵ֖ם
should she not be ashamed
Strong's:
H3637
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult
שִׁבְעַ֤ת
seven
H7651
שִׁבְעַ֤ת
seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
11 of 19
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
יָמִים֙
days
H3117
יָמִים֙
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
12 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
שִׁבְעַ֤ת
seven
H7651
שִׁבְעַ֤ת
seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
14 of 19
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
יָמִים֙
days
H3117
יָמִים֙
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
15 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
from the camp
H4264
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
from the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
17 of 19
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
Cross References
Deuteronomy 25:9Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.Job 30:10They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
Historical Context
The seven-day quarantine period was standard for assessing and cleansing skin diseases (Leviticus 13:4-5). Miriam received no harsher treatment than any Israelite with similar symptoms, demonstrating equality before the law despite her prophetic status. Her public discipline served as warning to others about challenging God's appointed leadership (Jude 11).
Questions for Reflection
- How do we reconcile divine forgiveness with remaining consequences of sin?
- What purposes do church discipline serve even for repentant offenders?
- How does God's justice within mercy shape our understanding of His character?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's response establishes that even Moses' intercession could not eliminate consequences: 'let her be shut out from the camp seven days.' The Hebrew tisager (let her be shut out) indicates quarantine for purification. Divine mercy reduced the penalty (she was healed), but discipline remained necessary. This teaches that forgiveness does not always eliminate consequences. God's character requires both mercy and justice. The seven-day period fulfilled the law's requirement for cleansing (Leviticus 13-14), showing that even grace operates within holy standards.