Numbers 12:15
And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.
Original Language Analysis
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה
from the camp
H4264
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה
from the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
4 of 12
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
שִׁבְעַ֣ת
seven
H7651
שִׁבְעַ֣ת
seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
5 of 12
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
יָמִ֑ים
days
H3117
יָמִ֑ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 12
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
וְהָעָם֙
and the people
H5971
וְהָעָם֙
and the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 of 12
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָסַ֔ע
journeyed
H5265
נָסַ֔ע
journeyed
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 12
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Habakkuk 3:2O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.Lamentations 3:32But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.Micah 6:4For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
Historical Context
During Miriam's seven-day exclusion, the entire nation waited—'the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again' (verse 15). This demonstrates honor for Miriam despite her sin and shows that community moves together. They did not abandon her but waited for restoration, modeling how churches should wait for and welcome back disciplined members who repent.
Questions for Reflection
- How does time-limited church discipline serve restoration rather than permanent exclusion?
- What does the community's waiting for Miriam teach about patience with disciplined members?
- How can we maintain both holiness standards and gracious restoration in church discipline?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The record 'Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days' emphasizes the completion of her discipline. The temporal nature—'seven days'—shows the discipline was restorative, not final. The purpose was purification and restoration, not permanent exclusion. This models church discipline's goal: restoring repentant sinners (Galatians 6:1), not condemning them. The time limit prevented indefinite punishment. After seven days, she was fully restored to fellowship, prefiguring how Christ's discipline of His children, though painful, works repentance and restoration (Hebrews 12:11).