The Meaning of Numbers 12:12 Explained

Numbers 12:12

KJV: Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb.

YLT: let her not, I pray thee, be as one dead, when in his coming out from the womb of his mother -- the half of his flesh is consumed.'

Darby: Let her not be as one stillborn, half of whose flesh is consumed when he comes out of his mother's womb.

ASV: Let her not, I pray, be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Let her not be as one dead,  of whom the flesh  is half  consumed  when he cometh out  of his mother's  womb. 

What does Numbers 12:12 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 12:12 mean?

Not please do let her be as one dead whose when he comes out of womb of his mother and is consumed half flesh
אַל־ נָ֥א תְהִ֖י כַּמֵּ֑ת אֲשֶׁ֤ר בְּצֵאתוֹ֙ מֵרֶ֣חֶם אִמּ֔וֹ וַיֵּאָכֵ֖ל חֲצִ֥י בְשָׂרֽוֹ

נָ֥א  please 
Parse: Interjection
Root: נָא  
Sense: I (we) pray, now, please.
תְהִ֖י  do  let  her  be 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Jussive, third person feminine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
כַּמֵּ֑ת  as  one  dead 
Parse: Preposition-k, Article, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: מוּת  
Sense: to die, kill, have one executed.
אֲשֶׁ֤ר  whose 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
בְּצֵאתוֹ֙  when  he  comes  out 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, third person masculine singular
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
מֵרֶ֣חֶם  of  womb 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: רֶחֶם  
Sense: womb.
אִמּ֔וֹ  of  his  mother 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אֵם  
Sense: mother.
וַיֵּאָכֵ֖ל  and  is  consumed 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָכַל  
Sense: to eat, devour, burn up, feed.
חֲצִ֥י  half 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: חֲצִי 
Sense: half.
בְשָׂרֽוֹ  flesh 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בָּשָׂר  
Sense: flesh.