Numbers 12:4
New International Version
At once the LORD said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out.

New Living Translation
So immediately the LORD called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “Go out to the Tabernacle, all three of you!” So the three of them went to the Tabernacle.

English Standard Version
And suddenly the LORD said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” And the three of them came out.

Berean Standard Bible
And suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three, come out to the Tent of Meeting.” So the three went out,

King James Bible
And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.

New King James Version
Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tabernacle of meeting!” So the three came out.

New American Standard Bible
And the LORD suddenly said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “You three go out to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them went out.

NASB 1995
Suddenly the LORD said to Moses and Aaron and to Miriam, “You three come out to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them came out.

NASB 1977
And suddenly the LORD said to Moses and Aaron and to Miriam, “You three come out to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them came out.

Legacy Standard Bible
Suddenly Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron and to Miriam, “You three come out to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them came out.

Amplified Bible
Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle).” And the three of them came out.

Christian Standard Bible
Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three come out to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them went out.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three come out to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them went out.

American Standard Version
And Jehovah spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tent of meeting. And they three came out.

Contemporary English Version
and told Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to come to the entrance of the sacred tent.

English Revised Version
And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tent of meeting. And they three came out.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Suddenly, the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, "All three of you come to the tent of meeting." So all three of them came.

Good News Translation
Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, "I want the three of you to come out to the Tent of my presence." They went,

International Standard Version
All of a sudden, the LORD told Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, "The three of you are to come out to the Tent of Meeting." So the three of them went out.

Majority Standard Bible
And suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three, come out to the Tent of Meeting.” So the three went out,

NET Bible
The LORD spoke immediately to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam: "The three of you come to the tent of meeting." So the three of them went.

New Heart English Bible
The LORD spoke suddenly to Moses, to Aaron, and to Miriam, "You three come out to the Tent of Meeting." The three of them came out.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD spoke suddenly to Moses, and to Aaron, and to Miriam, Come out ye three to the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.

World English Bible
Yahweh spoke suddenly to Moses, to Aaron, and to Miriam, “You three come out to the Tent of Meeting!” The three of them came out.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And YHWH suddenly says to Moses, and to Aaron, and to Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the Tent of Meeting”; and those three come out.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah saith suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, 'Come out ye three unto the tent of meeting;' and they three come out.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will say in a moment to Moses and to Aaron and to Miriam, Come forth ye three unto the tent of appointment And they three will come forth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Immediately he spoke to him, and to Aaron and Mary: Come out you three only to the tabernacle of the covenant. And when they were come out,

Catholic Public Domain Version
immediately he spoke to him, and to Aaron and Miriam, “Go out, you three only, to the tabernacle of the covenant.” And when they had gone out,

New American Bible
So at once the LORD said to Moses and Aaron and Miriam: Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting. And the three of them went.

New Revised Standard Version
Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them came out.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD spoke suddenly to Moses and to Aaron and to Miriam, Come out, you three, to the tabernacle of the congregation. And the three of them came out.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said suddenly to Moshe and to Ahron and to Maryam: ‘Go out, you three, to the Time Tabernacle.’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the LORD spoke suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam: 'Come out ye three unto the tent of meeting.' And they three came out.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord said immediately to Moses and Aaron and Mariam, Come forth all three of you to the tabernacle of witness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Murmuring of Miriam and Aaron
3Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth. 4And suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three, come out to the Tent of Meeting.” So the three went out, 5and the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the Tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them had stepped forward,…

Cross References
Exodus 33:9-11
As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses. / When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they would stand up and worship, each one at the entrance to his own tent. / Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.

Deuteronomy 31:14-15
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the time of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the Tent of Meeting, so that I may commission him.” So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the Tent of Meeting. / Then the LORD appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood over the entrance to the tent.

Exodus 24:15-18
When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, / and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. / And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites. ...

Exodus 19:9
The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said.

1 Kings 8:10-11
And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD / so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

Leviticus 9:23-24
Moses and Aaron then entered the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. / Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.

1 Samuel 3:10
Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

Psalm 99:6-7
Moses and Aaron were among His priests; Samuel was among those who called on His name. They called to the LORD and He answered. / He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept His decrees and the statutes He gave them.

Isaiah 6:1-4
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. / Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. / And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” ...

Ezekiel 1:28
The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.

Matthew 17:5
While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

Mark 9:7
Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!”

Luke 9:34-35
While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. / And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to Him!”

Acts 9:3-6
As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. / He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” / “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. ...

Acts 22:6-10
About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. / I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ / ‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD spoke suddenly to Moses, and to Aaron, and to Miriam, Come out you three to the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.

the Lord

Psalm 76:9
When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

come out

Numbers 16:16-21
And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: …

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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














And suddenly
The phrase "and suddenly" indicates an unexpected and immediate action by God. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "פִּתְאֹם" (pit'om), which conveys a sense of abruptness and urgency. This sudden intervention by God underscores His omnipresence and omniscience, reminding us that He is always aware of the actions and attitudes of His people. It serves as a powerful reminder that God can intervene at any moment, and His timing is perfect, often catching us off guard to emphasize the seriousness of the situation.

the LORD said
"The LORD" here is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the personal name of God, which signifies His eternal and unchanging nature. The fact that the LORD Himself speaks highlights the gravity of the situation. In the context of the Old Testament, when God speaks directly, it is often to convey a message of great importance or to correct a significant error. This direct communication emphasizes God's authority and His active role in guiding and correcting His people.

to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam
These three individuals hold significant roles within the Israelite community. Moses, as the leader and prophet, Aaron as the high priest, and Miriam as a prophetess and leader among the women. The mention of all three together indicates that the issue at hand involves their leadership and relationship dynamics. It is a reminder that those in positions of authority are held to a high standard and are accountable to God for their actions and attitudes.

'You three come out
The command "come out" is an invitation to step forward into God's presence, which is both an honor and a moment of accountability. In Hebrew, the verb "יָצָא" (yatsa) means to go out or come forth. This call to come out signifies a separation from the ordinary to engage in a divine encounter. It is a call to transparency and truth before God, where nothing can be hidden.

to the Tent of Meeting.'
The "Tent of Meeting" was the designated place where God would meet with Moses and, by extension, the people of Israel. It was a sacred space, symbolizing God's presence among His people. The Hebrew term "אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד" (ohel mo'ed) indicates a place of appointed meeting. This setting underscores the seriousness of the summons, as it is a place where divine revelation and judgment occur. It is a reminder of the holiness of God and the reverence required when approaching Him.

So the three went out
The obedience of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam in going out as commanded reflects their recognition of God's authority. Their response is immediate, indicating their understanding of the seriousness of the situation. This act of obedience is crucial, as it sets the stage for the divine encounter and the lessons that will follow. It serves as a model for believers, emphasizing the importance of responding promptly and faithfully to God's call.

(4) Come out ye three . . . --There is nothing in these words which implies that Miriam entered into the Tabernacle itself. Moses, Aaron, and Miriam were summoned to go out of the camp (comp. Numbers 11:30), and to come to the entrance of the Tabernacle, or rather of the court, inasmuch as the command to come as far as the entrance into the Sanctuary appears to have been given afterwards (Numbers 12:5). It must be remembered that there was but one court at this time.

Verse 4. - The Lord spake suddenly. How he spoke we cannot tell, but the word "suddenly" (Septuagint, παραχρῆμα) points to something unexpected and unusual. The voice seems to have come to the three in their tents before there was any thought in their minds of such an intervention. Come out ye three, i.e., out of the camp - probably the camp of Moses and Aaron, on the east of the tabernacle court (see Numbers 3:38).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And suddenly
פִּתְאֹ֗ם (piṯ·’ōm)
Adverb
Strong's 6597: Suddenness, suddenly

the LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Moses,
מֹשֶׁ֤ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

Aaron,
אַהֲרֹן֙ (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

and Miriam,
מִרְיָ֔ם (mir·yām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4813: Miriam -- a sister of Aaron, also a man of Judah

“You three,
שְׁלָשְׁתְּכֶ֖ם (šə·lā·šə·tə·ḵem)
Number - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

come out
צְא֥וּ (ṣə·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to
וְאֶֽל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the Tent
אֹ֣הֶל (’ō·hel)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168: A tent

of Meeting.”
מוֹעֵ֑ד (mō·w·‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

So the three
שְׁלָשְׁתָּֽם׃ (šə·lā·šə·tām)
Number - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

went out,
וַיֵּצְא֖וּ (way·yê·ṣə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim


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OT Law: Numbers 12:4 Yahweh spoke suddenly to Moses (Nu Num.)
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