Christian Standard Bible
Numbers 12:3
3Moses was a very humble man, more so than anyone on the face of the earth.
Numbers 12:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
- New International Version (NIV)(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.
- New King James Version (NKJV)(Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)
Context of Numbers 12:3
1Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married (for he had married a Cushite woman). 2They said, “Does the Lord speak only through Moses? Does he not also speak through us?” And the Lord heard it. Moses was a very humble man, more so than anyone on the face of the earth. 4Suddenly the Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three come out to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them went out. 5Then the Lord descended in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them came forward,
Read all of Numbers 12Numbers 12:3 word by word
וְהָאִ֥ישׁ מֹשֶׁ֖ה עָנָ֣יו מְאֹ֑ד מִכֹּל֙ הָֽאָדָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Numbers 12:3
- Psalms 147:6The Lord helps the oppressed but brings the wicked to the ground.
- Psalms 149:4For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.
- Matthew 5:5Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.
- Matthew 11:29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Matthew 21:5Tell Daughter Zion, “See, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
- 2 Corinthians 10:1Now I, Paul, myself, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ — I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nurse nurtures her own children.
- James 3:13Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.
- 1 Peter 3:4but rather what is inside the heart — the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
- Numbers 11:10Moses heard the people, family after family, weeping at the entrance of their tents. The Lord was very angry; Moses was also provoked.
- Numbers 20:10Moses and Aaron summoned the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels! Must we bring water out of this rock for you?”
- Psalms 106:32They angered the Lord at the Waters of Meribah, and Moses suffered because of them,
- 2 Corinthians 11:5Now I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:11I have been a fool; you forced it on me. You ought to have commended me, since I am not in any way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
- James 3:2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.
Commentaries on Numbers 12:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Now the man Moses was very meek - How could Moses, who certainly was as humble and modest as he was meek, write this encomium upon himself? I think the word is not rightly understood; ענו anav, which we translate meek, comes from ענה anah, to act upon, to humble, depress, afflict, and is translated so in many places in the Old Testament; and in this sense it should be understood here: "Now this man Moses was depressed or afflicted more than any man האדמה…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-15Verses 1-15 Miriam, as a prophetess (compare Exodus 15:20-21) no less than as the sister of Moses and Aaron, took the first rank among the women of Israel; and Aaron may be regarded as the ecclesiastical head of the whole nation. But instead of being grateful for these high dignities they challenged the special vocation of Moses and the exclusive authority which God had assigned to him. Miriam was the instigator, from the fact that her name stands…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3The humility of Moses stands in sharp contrast to the jealousy of Miriam and Aaron. The text says that Moses was very humble. His character reflected a godly spirit (see also Proverbs 3:34; Matthew 5:5). The statement about the humility of Moses appears as a parenthetical comment (a brief note inserted into the story). It presents the truth from God’s point of view. Some think these words may have been written by Moses. Others believe they may have been…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. the man Moses was very meek--(Ex 14:13; 32:12, 13; Nu 14:13; 21:7; De 9:18). This observation might have been made to account for Moses taking no notice of their angry reproaches and for God's interposing so speedily for the vindication of His servant's cause. The circumstance of Moses recording an eulogium on a distinguishing excellence of his own character is not without a parallel among the sacred writers, when forced to it by the insolence and…Read the comment
Topics related to Numbers 12:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Numbers 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries