Numbers 12

Numbers 12:1

SPake] Either openly contending with him, or speaking ill of him aside, in his absence Because of] It is not set down what they object unto him, concerning this mariage, whether it were because she was no of Gods people; or because that for the love of her he gave her father Hobab too much power, Numbers 10:26. or some such like thing Ethiopian] The Italian hath it the Cushite. Zippora. Exodus 2:21. Who was of the land of Midian, part of the eastern Ethiopia, or Arabia, called Cus, Genesis, chapt. 2. 〈◊〉 13.

Numbers 12:2

Hath the Lord indeed] Are not we also endowed with the same spirit of prophesie as hee is, and able to reprove or correct him, if wee doe amisse? See 1 Corinth. 14. 32 By us] See Exodus 15:20. Micah 6:4.

Numbers 12:3

Now the man] Moses took notice of it, and pardoned these murmurings, and small distastes; but the Lord would oot them out at the first beginning, for feare of scandall, and the inconveniences which might spring out of the dissention of the governours.

Numbers 12:5

Came down] See upon Exodus 34:5.

Numbers 12:6

If there be] Although yee bee all Prophets, yet there is a difference of degrees in this gift; and Moses hath it in the most eminent; and therefore it behoveth not you to judge him as his equalls In a vision] These were the two ordinary wayes of Propheticall revelation in both of them; the Prophets sences were, as it were, lulled asleep, to receive the impression of Gods light: the soule being as it were gathered all within it self, and severed from corporall sences. But the difference consisted in this, that in a vision, the withdrawing of the senses, was by a supernaturall meanes, whereby the body, and the faculties of it were extreamly troubled and cast down, Dan. 8, 18. and 10. 8, 16, 17. by the strength of divine enlightning, beyond all naturall capacity, imprinting in the mind the representations of the things revealed, or the meaning of them by words. In a dreame, the suspension of the sences was naturall by sleep: wherein God framed some imaginations, or caused them of mans fancy to meet in some concurrency with such things as he meant to reveale: or without them hee fashioned some inward speech in the Prophet, and all this without any labour to the body. The third manner which was ordinary to Moses, & very rare in other Prophets, was by a distinct and sensible voyce, all the sences remaining entire, and free in their owne actions, especially in Moses: for in other Prophets this never happened, without extream terrour and abatement of all naturall power, Joshua 5:13. Judg. 6. 22. and 13. 20, 22 Unto him] by internall speech in the mind, as Hos. 〈◊〉. 2

Numbers 12:8

Apparently] Clearely, directly, and openly, even as present. See 1 Corinthians 13:12.Darke speeches] The Hebrew hath it, with Enigma’s. See Judges 14:1-20; Judges 12:1-15 He behold]So was the sonne of God wont to speake with Moses, in a visible shape before the Tabernacle was set up, Ex. 24. 10. and 33. 20. Afterwards hee spake with him ordinarily out of the cloud by 〈◊〉 voice, Numbers 7:89.

Numbers 12:10

From off] The cloud did alwayes use to be over the Tabernacle, in the shape of a cloup, lifted up in the aire upright, Exodus 40:1-38; Exodus 35:1-35; Exodus 38:1-31. but when God would speak out of it, it would come down and spread it selfe about the Tabernacle: and when hee had done, it would return again to its wonted place Miriam] By this it appeareth that Miriam was most in fault, concerning this murmuring against Moses, it may be by some female emulation between her and her sister in law.White] as Exodus 4:6. yet it is likely there was some live slesh amongst it: otherwise the should not have been kept apart as uncleane, according to the Law, Lev. 13. 10. 13, 15.

Numbers 12:11

Lay not] Doe thou forgive us, and let us through thine intercession be absolved by God, impute not this sin unto us.

Numbers 12:14

Had but spit] through any just anger 〈◊〉 ashamed] not daring for to shew her self Shut out] according to the Law Leviticus 13:46. 2 Chron, 26 21.

Numbers 12:16

Peran] In the Italian, this is the first verse of the 13 chapter. It is plaine by Numbers 3:1-51. 8. Deuteronomy 1:22. That all the removalls inserted, Numb. 33, 18. are here omitted for brevity sake: and that it was a great parcell of desert from Sur, Exodus 15:22. to Kadesh, whence the spies were sent out, verse 26.