The Meaning of Numbers 12:10 Explained

Numbers 12:10

KJV: 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.

YLT: and the cloud hath turned aside from off the tent, and lo, Miriam is leprous as snow; and Aaron turneth unto Miriam, and lo, leprous!

Darby: and the cloud departed from off the tent. And behold, Miriam was leprous as snow; and Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.

ASV: And the cloud removed from over the Tent; and, behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as'snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Numbers 12:10 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 12:10 mean?

And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle and suddenly Miriam [became] leprous as [white as] snow And turned Aaron toward Miriam and there she was a leper
וְהֶעָנָ֗ן סָ֚ר מֵעַ֣ל הָאֹ֔הֶל וְהִנֵּ֥ה מִרְיָ֖ם מְצֹרַ֣עַת כַּשָּׁ֑לֶג וַיִּ֧פֶן אַהֲרֹ֛ן אֶל־ מִרְיָ֖ם וְהִנֵּ֥ה מְצֹרָֽעַת

וְהֶעָנָ֗ן  And  when  the  cloud 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עָנָן  
Sense: cloud, cloudy, cloud-mass.
סָ֚ר  departed 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: סוּר 
Sense: to turn aside, depart.
מֵעַ֣ל  from  above 
Parse: Preposition-m
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
הָאֹ֔הֶל  the  tabernacle 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֹהֶל  
Sense: tent.
וְהִנֵּ֥ה  and  suddenly 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
מִרְיָ֖ם  Miriam 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִרְיָם  
Sense: elder sister of Moses and Aaron.
מְצֹרַ֣עַת  [became]  leprous 
Parse: Verb, Pual, Participle, feminine singular construct
Root: צָרַע  
Sense: to be diseased of skin, be leprous.
כַּשָּׁ֑לֶג  as  [white  as]  snow 
Parse: Preposition-k, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: שֶׁלֶג 
Sense: snow.
וַיִּ֧פֶן  And  turned 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: פֹּונֶה 
Sense: to turn.
אַהֲרֹ֛ן  Aaron 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַהֲרֹון  
Sense: brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest.
אֶל־  toward 
Parse: Preposition
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
מִרְיָ֖ם  Miriam 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִרְיָם  
Sense: elder sister of Moses and Aaron.
וְהִנֵּ֥ה  and  there  she  was 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
מְצֹרָֽעַת  a  leper 
Parse: Verb, Pual, Participle, feminine singular construct
Root: צָרַע  
Sense: to be diseased of skin, be leprous.