Numbers 12:8
With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
Original Language Analysis
פֶּ֞ה
mouth
H6310
פֶּ֞ה
mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
1 of 17
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
פֶּ֞ה
mouth
H6310
פֶּ֞ה
mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
3 of 17
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
לְדַבֵּ֖ר
With him will I speak
H1696
לְדַבֵּ֖ר
With him will I speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 17
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וּמַרְאֶה֙
even apparently
H4758
וּמַרְאֶה֙
even apparently
Strong's:
H4758
Word #:
6 of 17
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בְחִידֹ֔ת
and not in dark speeches
H2420
בְחִידֹ֔ת
and not in dark speeches
Strong's:
H2420
Word #:
8 of 17
a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim
וּתְמֻנַ֥ת
and the similitude
H8544
וּתְמֻנַ֥ת
and the similitude
Strong's:
H8544
Word #:
9 of 17
something portioned (i.e., fashioned) out, as a shape, i.e., (indefinitely) phantom, or (specifically) embodiment, or (figuratively) manifestation (of
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יַבִּ֑יט
shall he behold
H5027
יַבִּ֑יט
shall he behold
Strong's:
H5027
Word #:
11 of 17
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
וּמַדּ֙וּעַ֙
H4069
וּמַדּ֙וּעַ֙
Strong's:
H4069
Word #:
12 of 17
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְרֵאתֶ֔ם
wherefore then were ye not afraid
H3372
יְרֵאתֶ֔ם
wherefore then were ye not afraid
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
14 of 17
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
לְדַבֵּ֖ר
With him will I speak
H1696
לְדַבֵּ֖ר
With him will I speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
15 of 17
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Cross References
Deuteronomy 34:10And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,1 Corinthians 13:12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.Exodus 33:11And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.Exodus 33:23And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.John 15:15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.2 Peter 2:10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.1 Timothy 6:16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.2 Corinthians 3:18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.Luke 10:16He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.Isaiah 46:5To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
Historical Context
The unique intimacy Moses enjoyed began at the burning bush and continued through the tabernacle meetings. No other Old Testament prophet enjoyed such consistent, direct dialogue with God until Christ, who is 'the express image of his person' (Hebrews 1:3).
Questions for Reflection
- How should the clarity of God's revelation in Scripture affect your confidence in knowing His will?
- What does it mean that Christ is the clearest revelation of God, surpassing even Moses?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God spoke with Moses 'mouth to mouth' and 'apparently' (Hebrew 'mar'eh', meaning clearly, not in dark speeches). This direct, unambiguous communication surpassed the symbolic visions other prophets received. Moses beheld 'the similitude of the LORD'—not God's full essence (Exodus 33:20) but a visible manifestation. This intimate access made challenging Moses equivalent to challenging God Himself.