Numbers 12:6 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.

◄ Numbers 12:6 ►

New International Version
he said, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.

New Living Translation
And the LORD said to them, “Now listen to what I say: “If there were prophets among you, I, the LORD, would reveal myself in visions. I would speak to them in dreams.

English Standard Version
And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

New King James Version
Then He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream.

New American Standard Bible
He said, “Now hear My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will make Myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream.

NASB 1995
He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream.

NASB 1977
He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream.

Legacy Standard Bible
and He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, Yahweh, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream.

Amplified Bible
And He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD will make Myself known to him in a vision And I will speak to him in a dream.

Christian Standard Bible
he said: “Listen to what I say: If there is a prophet among you from the LORD, I make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said:” Listen to what I say: If there is a prophet among you from the LORD, I make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.

American Standard Version
And he said, Hear now my words: if there be a prophet among you, I Jehovah will make myself known unto him in a vision, I will speak with him in a dream.

Contemporary English Version
Then after commanding them to listen carefully, he said: "I, the LORD, speak to prophets in visions and dreams.

English Revised Version
And he said, Hear now my words: if there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, I will speak with him in a dream.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He said, "Listen to my words: When there are prophets of the LORD among you, I make myself known to them in visions or speak to them in dreams.

Good News Translation
and the LORD said, "Now hear what I have to say! When there are prophets among you, I reveal myself to them in visions and speak to them in dreams.

International Standard Version
Then he told the two of them: "Pay attention to what I have to say! When there is a prophet among you, won't I, the LORD, reveal myself to him in a vision? Won't I speak with him in a dream?

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
The LORD said, "Hear now my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known to him in a vision; I will speak with him in a dream.

New Heart English Bible
He said, "Hear now my words. If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, Hear now my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known to him in a vision, and will speak to him in a dream.

World English Bible
He said, “Now hear my words. If there is a prophet among you, I, Yahweh, will make myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And He says, “Now hear My words: If your prophet is of YHWH, "" I make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.

Young's Literal Translation
And He saith, 'Hear, I pray you, My words: If your prophet is of Jehovah -- in an appearance unto him I make Myself known; in a dream I speak with him;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, Hear ye now, my word: If there shall be your prophet of Jehovah, in a vision I will be known to him; in a dream I will speak to him.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
He said to them: Hear my words: if there be among you a prophet of the Lord, I will appear to him in a vision, or I will speak to him in a dream.

Catholic Public Domain Version
he said to them: “Listen to my words. If there will be among you a prophet of the Lord, I will appear to him in a vision, or I will speak to him through a dream.

New American Bible
the LORD said: Now listen to my words: If there are prophets among you, in visions I reveal myself to them, in dreams I speak to them;

New Revised Standard Version
And he said, “Hear my words: When there are prophets among you, I the LORD make myself known to them in visions; I speak to them in dreams.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the LORD said to them, Hear now my words: If you are prophets, I the LORD will reveal myself to you in a vision and will speak to you in a dream.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said to them: “Hear now my words; if your Prophecy will come, I LORD JEHOVAH am revealed in a vision upon you, and in a dream I speak with you.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And He said: 'Hear now My words: if there be a prophet among you, I the LORD do make Myself known unto him in a vision, I do speak with him in a dream.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to them, Hear my words: If there should be of you a prophet to the Lord, I will be made known to him in a vision, and in sleep will I speak to him.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Murmuring of Miriam and Aaron
…5and the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the Tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them had stepped forward, 6He 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. 7But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Joel 2:28-29
And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. / Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Acts 2:17-18
‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. / Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Hebrews 1:1-2
On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. / But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.

1 Samuel 3:1
And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce.

Deuteronomy 34:10
Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face—

Genesis 15:1
After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

1 Kings 3:5
One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”

Daniel 7:1
In the first year of the reign of Belshazzar over Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he lay on his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is the summary of his account.

Job 33:14-16
For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices. / In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, / He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings

Jeremiah 23:28
Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 1:1
In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the River Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God.

Matthew 1:20
But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:10-11
He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. / He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.

Acts 16:9
During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

Treasury of Scripture

And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known to him in a vision, and will speak to him in a dream.

a prophet

Genesis 20:7
Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.

Exodus 7:1
And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

Psalm 105:15
Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

in a vision

Genesis 15:1
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Genesis 46:2
And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

Job 4:13
In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,

a dream

Genesis 31:10,11
And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled…

1 Kings 3:5
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

Jeremiah 23:28
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.

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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

Berean Study Bible

He said, 'Hear now My words
This phrase begins with a direct command from God, emphasizing the importance and authority of what is about to be communicated. The Hebrew word for "hear" is "שְׁמַע" (shema), which implies not just listening but also understanding and obeying. This is reminiscent of the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4, a central declaration of faith in Judaism. The use of "My words" underscores that the message is divine, not human, and demands reverence and attention. In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the importance of Scripture as God's authoritative word, deserving of our full attention and obedience.

If there is a prophet among you
The term "prophet" in Hebrew is "נָבִיא" (navi), which refers to someone who is called to speak on behalf of God. Prophets were integral to Israel's spiritual life, serving as God's mouthpiece. This phrase sets the stage for distinguishing between ordinary prophets and the unique role of Moses. Historically, prophets were often called during times of crisis or moral decline to bring God's people back to righteousness. This context reminds believers of the need for discernment in recognizing true prophetic voices today.

I, the LORD
The use of "I, the LORD" (YHWH) is significant, as it is the personal name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). This name signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenant relationship with Israel. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness and sovereignty. In a conservative Christian view, this underscores the continuity of God's character and His unchanging nature throughout Scripture.

will reveal Myself to him in a vision
The phrase "reveal Myself" comes from the Hebrew root "גָּלָה" (galah), meaning to uncover or disclose. This indicates that prophetic revelation is an act of divine grace, where God chooses to make Himself known. "Vision" (חָזוֹן, chazon) refers to a supernatural experience where God communicates His will. Visions were a common means of divine communication in the Old Testament, often providing guidance or warning. This highlights the belief that God actively seeks to communicate with His people, guiding them through His chosen messengers.

I will speak to him in a dream
Dreams, like visions, were another medium through which God communicated with His prophets. The Hebrew word for "dream" is "חֲלוֹם" (chalom). In the ancient Near East, dreams were considered significant and often required interpretation. This method of communication underscores God's intimate involvement in the lives of His prophets, providing them with insight and direction. For conservative Christians, this reaffirms the belief in God's personal and direct communication with His people, even if the means may differ today. It also serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual discernment in understanding God's messages.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) If there be a prophet . . . --Better, If there be to (or, among) ycu a prophet of Jehovah, I will make myself known unto him in a vision, and speak unto him. The LXX. and Vulgate connect the word "Jehovah" with the former, not with the latter part of the clause. The mode of communication between God and Moses differed in the respects which are enumerated in Numbers 12:8 from the mode of communication by visions or dreams, in which God communicated His will to others.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. - If there boa prophet among you I the Lord will make myself known. More probably "the Lord" belongs to the first clause: "If there be to you a prophet of the Lord, I will make myself known." So the Septuagint, ἐὰν γένηται προφήτης ὑμῶν Κυρίῳ... . γνωσθήσομαι. In a vision. Ἐν ὀράματι. An internal vision, in which the eyes (even if open) saw nothing, but the effects of vision' were produced upon the sensorium by other and supernatural means (see, e.g., Amos 7:7, 8; Acts 10:11). Speak unto him in a dream. Rather, speak "in him" - בּו. The voice that spake to the prophet was an internal voice, causing no vibration of the outer air, but affecting only the inner and hidden seat of consciousness. It is not necessary to restrict the prophetic dream to the time of sleep; a waking state, resembling what we call day-dream, in which the external senses arc quiescent, and the imagination is freed from its usual restraints, was perhaps the more usual mental condition at the time. Indeed the Divine communications made to Joseph (Matthew 1:20; Matthew 2:13) and to the Magi (ibid. Numbers 2:12) are almost the only ones we read of as made during actual sleep, unless we include the case of Pilate's wife (ibid. Numbers 27:19); and none of these were prophets in the ordinary sense. Compare, however, Acts 2:17 b.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

He said,
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Hear
שִׁמְעוּ־ (šim·‘ū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

now
נָ֣א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

My words:
דְבָרָ֑י (ḏə·ḇā·rāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

there is
יִֽהְיֶה֙ (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a prophet [among you],
נְבִ֣יאֲכֶ֔ם (nə·ḇî·’ă·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

[I], the LORD,
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will reveal Myself
אֶתְוַדָּ֔ע (’eṯ·wad·dā‘)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

to him
אֵלָ֣יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

in a vision,
בַּמַּרְאָה֙ (bam·mar·’āh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4759: A vision, a mirror

I will speak
אֲדַבֶּר־ (’ă·ḏab·ber-)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to him
בּֽוֹ׃ (bōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

in a dream;
בַּחֲל֖וֹם (ba·ḥă·lō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2472: A dream

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OT Law: Numbers 12:6 He said Hear now my words: if (Nu Num.)