The Meaning of Numbers 12:14 Explained

Numbers 12:14

KJV: And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.

YLT: And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'And her father had but spat in her face -- is she not ashamed seven days? she is shut out seven days at the outside of the camp, and afterwards she is gathered.'

Darby: And Jehovah said to Moses, But had her father anyways spat in her face, should she not be shamed seven days? She shall be shut outside the camp seven days, and afterwards she shall be received in again.

ASV: And Jehovah said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut up without the camp seven days, and after that she shall be brought in again.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the LORD  said  unto Moses,  If her father  had but  spit  in her face,  should she not be ashamed  seven  days?  let her be shut  out  from the camp  seven  days,  and after  that let her be received  in [again]. 

What does Numbers 12:14 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 12:1-15 - God Protects Moses Against Criticism
This Ethiopian wife may have been Zipporah, or some other woman whom Moses married after his first wife's death. That Moses, the great lawgiver and leader, who could rule a turbulent multitude and face the great king of Egypt, should take the taunts of his brother and sister so quietly, indicates how deep and far-reaching had been the transformation of his character. Compare Exodus 2:12, etc. "Fret not thyself because of evildoers"¦. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him," Psalms 37:1-40.
When we hand our cause over to God He comes down, Numbers 12:5. He rebukes the enemy and avenger. Be faithful to Him and you may reckon on His faithfulness to you! That commendation of faithfulness, which Moses received, may be won by all! See Mark 13:34.
Our intercession may bring pardon and healing; but sin leaves its mark, Numbers 12:15. You are shut out of the enjoyment of the camp, and the march is delayed. Ponder James 3:5-6. [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 12

1  God rebukes the sedition of Miriam and Aaron
11  Miriam's leprosy is healed at the prayer of Moses
14  God commands her to be shut out of the host
16  The people encamp in the desert of Paran

What do the individual words in Numbers 12:14 mean?

And said Yahweh to Moses and if her father but had spit in her face would not she be shamed seven days let her be shut out days of the camp and afterward she may be received [again]
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־ מֹשֶׁ֗ה וְאָבִ֙יהָ֙ יָרֹ֤ק יָרַק֙ בְּפָנֶ֔יהָ הֲלֹ֥א תִכָּלֵ֖ם שִׁבְעַ֣ת ؟ יָמִ֑ים תִּסָּגֵ֞ר יָמִים֙ מִח֣וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וְאַחַ֖ר תֵּאָסֵֽף

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר  And  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
יְהוָ֜ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
מֹשֶׁ֗ה  Moses 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹשֶׁה  
Sense: the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus.
וְאָבִ֙יהָ֙  and  if  her  father 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person feminine singular
Root: אָב  
Sense: father of an individual.
יָרַק֙  had  spit 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָרַק  
Sense: (Qal) to spit.
בְּפָנֶ֔יהָ  in  her  face 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct, third person feminine singular
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
הֲלֹ֥א  would  not 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
תִכָּלֵ֖ם  she  be  shamed 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: כָּלַם  
Sense: to insult, shame, humiliate, blush, be ashamed, be put to shame, be reproached, be put to confusion, be humiliated.
שִׁבְעַ֣ת  seven 
Parse: Number, masculine singular construct
Root: שֶׁבַע  
Sense: seven (cardinal number).
؟ יָמִ֑ים  days 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
תִּסָּגֵ֞ר  let  her  be  shut  out 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: סָגוּר 
Sense: to shut, close.
יָמִים֙  days 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה  the  camp 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Noun, common singular
Root: מַחֲנֶה  
Sense: encampment, camp.
וְאַחַ֖ר  and  afterward 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: אַחַר 
Sense: after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time).
תֵּאָסֵֽף  she  may  be  received  [again] 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: אָסַף 
Sense: to gather, receive, remove, gather in.