Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 12:5
And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood [in] the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
5. they both came forth ] i.e. probably from the tent, not from the camp. In Exo 33:8 f. it is said that Moses used habitually to enter the tent, and God talked with him there. The same thing may have occurred in the present case. Aaron and Miriam, in vaunting their claim to equality, imitated the action of Moses and entered with him; and they were then summoned to come forth to hear Jehovah’s oracle. His previous command ‘Come out ye three unto the tent of meeting’ was a challenge to Aaron and Miriam to do as Moses did, and to experience the result. Compare the similar challenge made by Aaron in Num 16:6 f. (P ).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Num 12:5-10
The Lord came down.
Gods vindication of Moses
There are several circumstances of the Lords proceedings laid down in the text.
1. As, first, His speed. By and by the Lord called them; so showing us how fitting a thing, yea, how pleasing to Him, convenient expedition is in justice, and how displeasing, needless, and sinister delays. It showeth also what a tender feeling God hath of the wrongs of His children, not only of some, but by name of magistrates and governors wrongs, when they are spoken against without cause. Surely He so feeleth it, that even by and by He will undertake the righting of them, and cannot hold from punishing such offenders as so lightly regard His holy ordinance. We think that unless we keep ado in our own causes it is not well (and I condemn not all care this way), but certainly none have been sooner and better righted than such as patiently have endured a time and committed things to the justice of God.
2. He calleth the two offenders by themselves, leaving Moses to hear and see for his comfort the Lords care for him. And this also is a great point of justice, to call persons that have done amiss, not carrying matters in secret and condemning without hearing.
3. He speaketh to them and biddeth them hear His words as He had heard theirs. Which likewise showeth that true justice chargeth men, and doth not hoard up in heart what cutteth off love and liking; giving good words outwardly, and yet inwardly thinking most evil things. Oh, let us hear your words if you have conceived any offence, and then will either confession or true purgation give satisfaction? The contrary course may have policy in it, but who shall justify it for piety, charity, or any virtue?
4. In His words He setteth down the difference of prophets, showing that all have not alike measure vouchsafed of Him, and therefore may not argue, I am a prophet as well as he; ergo, as good as he. Such kind of reasonings have in all times disquieted the Church and peace of the godly. The differences which God layeth down you see in the text. To some by vision; to some by dream; to some in darker words, to some in plainer; but to Moses mouth to mouth; that is in a more excellent measure of grace, and familiar favour than ever to any. Therefore, although the Lord had also spoken by them; yet forasmuch as it was not in that degree as to Moses, they should not have compared themselves with him, but yielded him a reverence above themselves. Yea, how were ye not afraid, saith the Lord, to speak against My servant Moses, even against Moses? So showing that imparity of grace and gifts from the Lord should work ever an imparity of honour and regard by all that will walk rightly, though in some other respect there may be a parity. (Bp. Babington.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
In the door of the tabernacle, where they stood without, not being admitted into the tabernacle, as Aaron used to be; which is noted as a sign of Gods displeasure.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. the Lord came down in the pillarof the cloud, and stood the door of the tabernaclewithoutgaining admission, as was the usual privilege of Aaron, though it wasdenied to all other men and women. This public exclusion was designedto be a token of the divine displeasure.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud,…. Which was over the most holy place of the tabernacle, and which was a symbol of the presence of the Lord; and who is said to come down, because that was above the tabernacle; whereas he came, as is next expressed,
and stood [in] the door of the tabernacle; where he set up his tribunal, and called them to his bar, courts of judicature being usually held in the gate; not suffering them to go into the tabernacle as they were wont to do, being delinquents:
and called Aaron and Miriam; to come nearer to him, and hear what he had to say to them; Moses keeping at a greater distance, it not being so proper that he should be within hearing of those commendations which were about to be given of him;
and they both came forth; Aaron and Miriam, and stood before the Lord.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 5-9:
Jehovah came down in the visible manifestation of His presence, the pillar of cloud, and confronted Miriam and Aaron. This must have taken place at the entrance to the courtyard, since Miriam (a woman) was not permitted inside the Tabernacle itself.
God revealed His will to prophets either in visions, or in dreams. This was by an inner voice, one which others could not hear. Moses occupied a unique role, as not only a prophet, but as the intimate friend of God, with whom God spoke face to face.
God regarded Moses as “faithful in all (His) house.” The term does not refer only to the Tabernacle, but to the entire “household” of Israel, e.g. Heb 3:1-6.
God’s obvious choice of Moses to this special role should have been evident both to Miriam and Aaron. They should have feared to speak against him, which in effect was to speak against God who had chosen him.
This illustrates the importance of the role of those today whom God chooses to serve as spiritual leaders. It is dangerous to speak against those whom God chooses, as they minister in their sphere of service, Heb 13:17.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
5. The Lord came down This anthropomorphic expression is to be understood as an accommodation of the mystery of divine revelation to human comprehension. Though God is everywhere, there is a sense in which he draws near to man when he wishes to communicate with him.
They both came forth Leaving the company of Moses, the two placed themselves near the door of the tabernacle, in the doorway of which the cloud stood, to hear what the Lord had to say to them.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And Yahweh came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forth.’
Yahweh then came down to the door of the Tent of meeting in a pillar of cloud and called for Aaron and Miriam to approach. Even at this stage they probably still had no inkling of what was about to happen. But they had a vital lesson to learn.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Num 12:5. And they both came forth Read, They both had come forth.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
The same Shechinah as had all along manifested the LORD’S presence. Exo 34:5-6 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Num 12:5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood [in] the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
Ver. 5. Out of the cloud. ] As from the throne of his glory.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
door = entrance.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Num 11:25, Exo 34:5, Exo 40:38, Psa 99:7
Reciprocal: Num 11:17 – I will come Num 16:19 – and the glory Num 20:6 – the glory