Numbers 12

I the Ethiopian woman. Possibly Zipporah, as the Midianites (to whom, as a Kenite, she belonged) settled in the Arabian Cush, and connected themselves with the Amalekites, most of whom were Cushites (cp. Habak. iii. 7). Her return to Moses at Sinai, and the influence of her brother Hobab, might awaken the jealousy of Miriam and Aaron. But would a union which had subsisted for forty years give umbrage to Miriam and Aaron? It may therefore be that Moses had lately married another wife, perhaps having lost Zipporah by death. There was no legal objection to such a marriage, as the woman was not a Canaanite.

3. Moses was very meek. This clause was probably inserted when the Pentateuch was finished, after the death of Moses. The character of Moses aggravates the crime of Miriam and Aaron; and shows why God took up the matter, though Moses did not.

7. My servant Moses, etc. Rather, “Not so My servant Moses (who is faithful in all My house); with him will I speak,” etc. The distinguished honour here given by God to His servant Moses is appropriately used in Heb. iii. 3-6, to enhance the honour of the Son of God.

14. If her father, etc. That is, “If her father had thus signified his displeasure against her, would she not be so troubled and concerned at it as to shut herself up for some time, being ashamed of her folly?” Spitting in a person’s presence was a mark of extreme displeasure.

15 seven days. The time prescribed for the exclusion of the leper; see Lev. xiii. 4, 5.