Numbers 12:12 - Let her not, I pray, be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb.”

Generated Verse: Numbers 12:12

What does "Numbers 12:12" mean?


This verse, Numbers 12:12, is part of a plea made by Aaron to Moses after Miriam has been struck with leprosy by God for speaking against Moses and his Cushite wife. To understand the meaning, let's break it down:

"Let her not, I pray, be as one dead...": Aaron is begging Moses (and, by extension, God) to not let Miriam remain in her current state of leprosy. He's recognizing the severity and potentially fatal nature of the disease.

"...of whom the flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb.”: This is a powerful and evocative description of a child born with a severe, debilitating, and shocking deformity or ailment. It describes something deeply disturbing and heartbreaking. Aaron uses this imagery to emphasize how dreadful Miriam's condition is becoming. It's a metaphor for the decaying, rotting, and disfiguring effects of leprosy. Imagine a stillborn or severely deformed infant - that's the level of horror he's trying to convey. He wants Moses to visualize how repulsive and devastating Miriam's condition will be if it continues progressing.

In summary, the verse is a desperate plea for healing, emphasizing the severity and disgusting nature of Miriam's rapidly worsening leprosy. Aaron is saying, "Don't let her become like something utterly revolting and doomed from the moment of birth," urging Moses to intercede with God for her recovery.

The phrase is a visceral and dramatic illustration used to highlight the terrible consequences of God's punishment and the urgency of the situation. It reflects the ancient understanding of leprosy as a disease that caused decay and disfigurement, making the affected person appear almost like the living dead.

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