Bible Strands
Numbers 12:10
As the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous, white as snow. Aaron turned toward her, saw that she was leprous,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative records the moment immediately after the LORD’s anger burns against Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, causing the divine cloud to lift from the Tent of Meeting. Aaron turns toward Miriam as she undergoes a sudden physical transformation.
The words — The Hebrew term מְצֹרַ֣עַת (me.tzo.Ra.'at) literally denotes a skin disease or leprosy, while כַּ/שָּׁ֑לֶג (ka./Sha.leg) compares the affected skin to snow. These terms describe Miriam’s condition as the cloud (סָ֚ר / sar) departs from over the tent.
The thread — The account of Miriam’s affliction is later cited as a historical precedent in Deuteronomy 24:9. Related texts link unexplained skin diseases to divine judgment or covenant violation in 2 Kings 5:27 and 2 Chronicles 26:19.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to observe that challenging divinely appointed authority triggers immediate, visible consequences. It demands recognition that the lifting of the cloud directly accompanies the punishment, leaving Aaron to witness the result.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 24:9 Remember what the LORD your God did to Miriam on the journey after you came out of Egypt.
- 2 Kings 5:27 Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow.
- 2 Chronicles 26:19 Uzziah, with a censer in his hand to offer incense, was enraged. But while he raged against the priests in their presence in the house of the LORD before the altar of incense, leprosy broke out on his forehead.
- Exodus 4:6 Furthermore, the LORD said to Moses, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, his hand was leprous, white as snow.
- 2 Kings 15:5 And the LORD afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, so that he lived in a separate house while his son Jotham had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.
- Exodus 33:7 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it at a distance outside the camp. He called it the Tent of Meeting, and anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp.
- Leviticus 13:2 “When someone has a swelling or rash or bright spot on his skin that may be an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest.
- Ezekiel 10:4 Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim and stood over the threshold of the temple. The temple was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD.
- Ezekiel 10:18 Then the glory of the LORD moved away from the threshold of the temple and stood above the cherubim.
- Hosea 9:12 Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one. Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them!