Numbers 12:8 “I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the…”

Numbers 12:8

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?”

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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?

World English Bible

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?”

American Standard Version

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?

Geneva Bible 1599

Vnto him will I speake mouth to mouth, and by vision, and not in darke wordes, but hee shall see the similitude of the Lord. Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speake against my seruant, euen against Moses?

Darby Translation

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?

Young's Literal Translation

mouth unto mouth I speak with him, and [by] an appearance, and not in riddles; and the form of Jehovah he beholdeth attentively; and wherefore have ye not been afraid to speak against My servant — against Moses?'

Bible in Basic English

With him I will have talk mouth to mouth, openly and not in dark sayings; and with his eyes he will see the form of the Lord: why then had you no fear of saying evil against my servant Moses?

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Cross references

“mouth”

Deuteronomy 34:10 Exodus 33:11 1 Timothy 6:16 Numbers 14:14

Deuteronomy 34:10 · BSB

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

Exodus 33:11 · BSB

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.

1 Timothy 6:16 · BSB

He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Numbers 14:14 · BSB

And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have already heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, that You, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stands over them, and that…

“dark speeches”

1 Corinthians 13:12 John 15:15 Psalm 49:4 Ezekiel 17:2 Ezekiel 20:49 Matthew 13:35

1 Corinthians 13:12 · BSB

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.

John 15:15 · BSB

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.

Psalm 49:4 · BSB

I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp:

Ezekiel 17:2 · BSB

“Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel

Ezekiel 20:49 · BSB

Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’”

Matthew 13:35 · BSB

So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”

“similitude”

Exodus 33:23 John 14:7–10 2 Corinthians 4:4–6 John 15:24 2 Corinthians 3:18 Hebrews 1:3

Exodus 33:23 · BSB

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

John 14:7–10 · BSB

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

2 Corinthians 4:4–6 · BSB

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.

John 15:24 · BSB

If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father.

2 Corinthians 3:18 · BSB

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Hebrews 1:3 · BSB

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on h…

“were ye”

Luke 10:16 2 Peter 2:10 1 Thessalonians 4:8 Jude 1:8 Exodus 34:30

Luke 10:16 · BSB

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

2 Peter 2:10 · BSB

Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.

1 Thessalonians 4:8 · BSB

Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit.

Jude 1:8 · BSB

Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings.

Exodus 34:30 · BSB

Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him.

Also

Psalm 17:15 Exodus 20:4

Psalm 17:15 · BSB

As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.

Exodus 20:4 · BSB

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

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

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

Read Numbers 12