10 But when the cloud had withdrawn from over the tent , behold , Miriam was leprous , as white as snow . As Aaron turned toward Miriam , behold , she was leprous . 11 Then Aaron said to Moses , "Oh , my lord , I beg you, do not account this sin to us, in which we have acted foolishly and in which we have sinned . 12 "Oh , do not let her be like one dead , whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes from his mother's womb !" 13 Moses cried out to the Lord , saying , "O God , heal her, I pray !" 14 But the Lord said to Moses , "If her father had but spit in her face , would she not bear her shame for seven days ? Let her be shut up for seven days outside e the camp , and afterward she may be received again." 15 So Miriam was shut up outside e the camp for seven days , and the people did not move on until Miriam was received again.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 12:10-15
Commentary on Numbers 12:10-16
(Read Numbers 12:10-16)
The cloud departed, and Miriam became leprous. When God goes, evil comes: expect no good when God departs. Her foul tongue, as Bishop Hall says, was justly punished with a foul face. Aaron, as priest, was judge of the leprosy. He could not pronounce her leprous without trembling, knowing himself to be equally guilty. But if she was thus punished for speaking against Moses, what will become of those who sin against Christ? Aaron, who joined his sister in speaking against Moses, is forced for himself and his sister, to beseech him, and to speak highly of him whom he had so lately blamed. Those who trample upon the saints and servants of God, will one day be glad to make court to them. It is well when rebukes produce confession of sin and repentance. Such offenders, though corrected and disgraced, shall be pardoned. Moses made it appear, that he forgave the injury done him. To this pattern of Moses, and that of our Saviour, who said, "Father, forgive them," we must conform. A reason is given for Miriam's being put out of the camp for seven days; because thus she ought to accept the punishment of her sin. When under the tokens of God's displeasure for sin, it becomes us to take shame to ourselves. This hindered the people's progress in their march forward towards Canaan. Many things oppose us, but nothing so hinders us in the way to heaven, as sin.