Numbers 12:8

6 He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.

7 But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house.

I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?”

9 So the anger of the LORD burned against them, and He departed.

10 As the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous, white as snow. Aaron turned toward her, saw that she was leprous,

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?”
KJV
With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
WEB
With him, I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see the LORD’s form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?”
ASV
with him will I speak mouth to mouth, even manifestly, and not in dark speeches; and the form of Jehovah shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?
DARBY
Mouth to mouth do I speak to him openly, and not in riddles; and the form of Jehovah doth he behold. Why then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?
BLB
I speak with him mouth to mouth, and even plainly and not in riddles; and the form of YHWH he sees. And why were you⁺ not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?”
ÅB
Munn til munn taler jeg med ham, klart og ikke i gåter, og han skuer Herrens skikkelse. Hvordan kunne dere da våge å tale ille om Moses, min tjener?
OTB
Med ham taler jeg ansikt til ansikt, klart og ikke i gåter; han skuer Herrens skikkelse. Hvorfor var dere da ikke redde for å tale mot min tjener Moses?»
B1930
Munn til munn taler jeg med ham, klart og ikke i gåter, og han skuer Herrens skikkelse. Hvorledes kunde I da våge å tale ille om Moses, min tjener?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Deuteronomy 34:10

    Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face—

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 13:12

    Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 33:11

    Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.

    Read in context
  • Luke 10:16

    Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

    Read in context
  • Exodus 24:10–11

    and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 33:23

    Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back; but My face must not be seen.”

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 4:4–6

    The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

    Read in context
  • John 14:7–10

    If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”

    Read in context