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?

NUMBERS 12:8KJV
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Numbers 12:8 (KJV)

What does Numbers 12:8 mean?

Numbers 12:8 describes how God speaks with Moses in a direct and clear way, not using riddles or mysterious language, and that Moses is allowed to see some form of God’s presence. Because of this special relationship, God questions why others were not afraid to criticize Moses.

In this verse, God is speaking to Aaron and Miriam after they questioned Moses’ unique role. The verse highlights that Moses’ communication with God is different from that of other prophets—God speaks to Moses “mouth to mouth,” meaning openly and plainly, and Moses sees a “similitude” or likeness of the LORD. This sets Moses apart and explains why speaking against him is a serious matter.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 12:8

  • “mouth” (פֶּה, peh): Repeated twice, this word emphasizes the directness of God’s communication with Moses, suggesting a face-to-face or personal conversation rather than messages through dreams or visions.
  • “apparently” (מַרְאֶה, mar’eh): This word means “appearance” or “visible form.” It shows that Moses experiences a visible or clear manifestation of God, not just a voice or impression.
  • “similitude” (תְּמוּנָה, temunah): This word means a likeness or form. It suggests Moses is allowed to perceive some representation of God’s presence, which was not typical for others.
  • “behold” (נָבַט, nabat): This verb means “to look at” or “to gaze upon.” It stresses that Moses actually sees something of God, not just hears.

Why Numbers 12:8 matters

  • Numbers 12:8 clears up that Moses’ relationship with God was unique among Israel’s leaders; he received messages directly and clearly, not through mysterious or indirect means.
  • The verse explains why criticizing Moses was so serious—he was chosen for a special closeness to God, which others did not share.
  • This verse connects to the wider story by showing why God defends Moses so strongly and why Aaron and Miriam’s challenge was out of line.

Where else these words appear

“similitude” Hebrew H8544 · used in 10 verses

  • Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
  • Deuteronomy 4:16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
  • Deuteronomy 5:8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:

“speeches” Hebrew H2420 · used in 17 verses

  • Judges 14:12 And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:
  • Judges 14:17 And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.
  • Psalms 49:4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

“behold” Hebrew H5027 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
  • Psalms 22:17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
  • Isaiah 38:11 I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.

“apparently” Hebrew H4758 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
  • Deuteronomy 28:67 In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
  • Ezekiel 1:28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.