15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

Other Translations of Numbers 12:15

King James Version

15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.

English Standard Version

15 So Miriam was shut outside the camp seven days, and the people did not set out on the march till Miriam was brought in again.

The Message

15 So Miriam was in quarantine outside the camp for seven days. The people didn't march on until she was readmitted.

New King James Version

15 So Miriam was shut out of the camp seven days, and the people did not journey till Miriam was brought in again.

New Living Translation

15 So Miriam was kept outside the camp for seven days, and the people waited until she was brought back before they traveled again.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 12:15

Commentary on Numbers 12:10-16

(Read Numbers 12:10-16)

The cloud departed, and Miriam became leprous. When God goes, evil comes: expect no good when God departs. Her foul tongue, as Bishop Hall says, was justly punished with a foul face. Aaron, as priest, was judge of the leprosy. He could not pronounce her leprous without trembling, knowing himself to be equally guilty. But if she was thus punished for speaking against Moses, what will become of those who sin against Christ? Aaron, who joined his sister in speaking against Moses, is forced for himself and his sister, to beseech him, and to speak highly of him whom he had so lately blamed. Those who trample upon the saints and servants of God, will one day be glad to make court to them. It is well when rebukes produce confession of sin and repentance. Such offenders, though corrected and disgraced, shall be pardoned. Moses made it appear, that he forgave the injury done him. To this pattern of Moses, and that of our Saviour, who said, "Father, forgive them," we must conform. A reason is given for Miriam's being put out of the camp for seven days; because thus she ought to accept the punishment of her sin. When under the tokens of God's displeasure for sin, it becomes us to take shame to ourselves. This hindered the people's progress in their march forward towards Canaan. Many things oppose us, but nothing so hinders us in the way to heaven, as sin.