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Meek?
A Question Mark
Numbers 13:2: (Now the man Moses was very
meek, above all the men which were upon the
face of the earth.)
I put a question mark in my Bible to this verse
many decades ago
I finally erased it and put a comment there
perhaps ten years ago
And this is the story of how this happened
Moses: Main Events
Early Life in Egypt : Born in Secret, set adrift in basket: The infant was rescued when Pharaoh’s daughter found him and adopted him into the
elite of Egyptian royalty.
Midianite Exile. When he was forty years old, Moses was incensed the violence of a lone Egyptian violence toward a Jew, and he slew him.
Found out, he fled to the wilderness of Midian, where he married Jethroe's daughter Zipporah. Moses had two sons
Confrontation with Pharaoh. At eighty years old, he came across a burning bush in the wilderness. Jehovah, speaking from the bush, commanded
him to return to Egypt with a message of liberation for the Israelite slaves. Moses returned and met his older brother Aaron on the way. Yet despite
his impressive signs, the Egyptians only responded with increased labor for their captives. Moses then called down ten devastating plagues to
demolish Egypt, culminating in the death of every firstborn Egyptian. Pharaoh, finally convinced of the futility of fighting the LORD, freed the
Israelites. But he changed his mind again and pursued them to the Red Sea. The Israelites escaped by crossing the sea on dry ground, while Pharaoh
and his army followed them and drowned.
Journey to Sinai The Israelites began to murmur about insufficient food and water. the LORD by miraculously providing water, ‘manna,’ and
Quails. The LORD was unhappy and sent a fire, but Moses prayed and the fire stopped, although a plaque followed. The Israelites moved on, But
Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses over Zipporah: the LORD sent a plague of Leprosy on Miriam, but Moses prayed on her behalf and she was
healed. The people moved on, and following a successful battle with Amalekites, the Israelites approached Mount Sinai. At this mountain they were
met by the LORD and He gave Moses a series of laws, encapsulated in the Ten Commandments.
Tabernacle. The Israelites responded by building the Tabernacle, a portable temple, for the LORD. When Moses went missing on the mountain,
however, they built a golden calf and worshiped it. Moses returned with strict punishment.
The Wilderness of Paran. Leaving Sinai, the Israelites prepared for the conquest by sending out twelve spies, but ten of the spies returned
discouraged. Rather than believing the two hopeful spies, the Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land; as punishment, the LORD condemned
them to wander in the wilderness for forty years. During this time Moses continued to receive legal instruction for the Israelites. He also contended
with the dangerous rebellion of Korah, fomented by over 250 Israelite leaders, but this was spectacularly judged by a divine fire and earthquake.
Later Wanderings At one point, Moses and Aaron disobeyed the LORD’s command by striking a stone. Both were condemned to die before
entering the Promised Land. The LORD dealt with the Hebrew murmuring agin by sending a swarm of deadly snakes into the camp. Moses
fashioned a metallic serpent in response. After surveying the Promised Land, Moses died on the mountain and was buried by the Lord in an
unmarked grave in the land of Moab. The lawgiver, judge, and prophet of Israel was memorialized by thirty days of weeping and mourning.
Summary of the Life of Moses
Moses stood up to the one of the most powerful man
in the world
He was the undoubted leader of a vast nation
He communed directly with the Lord
He showed anger and command of the nation in the
episode of the Golden Calf
He shepherded a rebellious nation for 40 years,
despite grumblings, complaints, and direct opposition
He is perhaps the most important individual in the
Bible, with the exception of Jesus himself.
He wrote the Pentateuch, the bedrock of Judaism to
theis day
Summary of Characteristics
Prophet, Priest, Ruler, and Savior of
Israel
Moses’ most heroic virtue is his
steadfast obedience
Moses himself is far from passive or
reticent, yet he represents a prototype of
the biblical hero whose greatness lies not
in self-assertion but in obedience to the
LORD.
Moses is passionate and impulsive.
So How is Moses Often Described?
"Moses, meek, humble, and with no trace of
jealousy in his make-up."
"In Numbers 12:3 it is recorded that Moses was
‘very meek’. The importance of being meek
(literally mild or humble) is emphasized by the
Lord Jesus Christ in his ‘Sermon on the Mount’:
‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the
2earth’."
Timothy 2:24, 25 Moses
“the servant of the Lord" A very common title of Moses
must not strive As Israel did with him (Numbers 26:9)
but be gentle unto all The spirit of Moses
apt to teach As was Moses (Exodus 18:20; 24:12;etc
patient As was Moses
in meekness Moses was the meekest man (Numbers 12:3)
instructing those that oppose at the time of Aaron and Miriam’s rebellion
The Meek are Blessed
Jesus pronounces a blessing on everyone who is meek such as in Matthew 5:5
where He said "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Who will
inherit the land in the kingdom? The Bible says that "the meek shall inherit the
land and delight themselves in abundant peace" (Psalm 37:11). Moses was called
meek but he certainly wasn’t weak.
The Bible says "Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were
on the face of the earth" (Num 12:3) but there is no sign of Moses every being weak.
In fact, it was just the opposite as we see Exodus 2:16-17 "Now the priest of Midian
had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water
their father’s flock. The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up
and saved them, and watered their flock." Here was one man who took on several
shepherds and drove them away from harassing the seven daughters of Midian. We
don’t know how many there were but there were probably more than three or four.
Here was one man, Moses, who drove them all away even though he was called the
meekest man on earth.
Moses protecting the Daughters: Meek?
Numbers 12:3 Translations
Num 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the
men which were upon the face of the earth.) (KJV) – Meek in
RSV, ESV,
Num 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all
men who were on the face of the earth.) (NJKV) – Humble in NIV,
Num 12:3 Moses wasn't very proud at all. In fact, he had less
pride than anyone else on the face of the earth. ((NIrV)
Num 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, N9
more so
than any man on the face of the earth.
N9: tc The spelling of the word is a Kethib-Qere reading with only a slight difference between the two.
tn The word ’( ָעָנוanav) means "humble." The word may reflect a trustful attitude (as in Pss 25:9, 37:11), but perhaps
here the idea of "more tolerant" or "long-suffering." The point is that Moses is not self-assertive. the LORD singled out
Moses and used him in such a way as to show that he was a unique leader. For a suggestion that the word means
"miserable," see C. Rogers, "Moses: Meek or Miserable?" JETS 29 (1986): 257-63.
sn Humility is a quality missing today in many leaders. Far too many are self-promoting, or competitive, or even
pompous. The statement in this passage would have been difficult for Moses to write – and indeed, it is not impossible
that an editor might have added it. One might think that for someone to claim to be humble is an arrogant act. But the
statement is one of fact – he was not self-assertive (until Num 20 when he strikes the rock).
Moses Meek
Moses Humble
Hebrew Etc
Num 12:3 (Now the manH376 MosesH4872 was veryH3966 meek,H6035 above
allH4480 H3605 the menH120 whichH834 were uponH5921 the faceH6440 of the
earth.)H127
H3065: ‛ עניו ענוânâv ‛ânâyv aw-nawv', aw-nawv'
The second form is by intermixture with H6041; from H6031
; depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy,
especially saintly)KJV Usage: humble, lowly, meek, poor`.
25 occurrences of H6035 עניו ענו
Numbers 12:3 meek, Psalms 25:9 and the meek Proverbs 14:21 on the poor,
Job 24:4 the poor Psalms 34:2 the humble Proverbs 16:19 with the lowly,
Psalms 9:12 of the humble. Psalms 37:11 But the meek Isaiah 11:4 for the meek
Psalms 9:18 of the poor Psalms 69:32 The humble Isaiah 29:19 The meek
Psalms 10:12 not the humble. Psalms 76:9 all the meek Isaiah 32:7 the poor
Psalms 10:17 of the humble: Psalms 147:6 the meek: Isaiah 61:1 to the meek;
Psalms 22:26 The meek Psalms 149:4 the meek Amos 2:7 of the meek:
Psalms 25:9 The meek Proverbs 3:34 to the lowly. Amos 8:4 the poor
Zephaniah 2:3 all ye meek
What Does Actually it Mean Here?
Why Miserable?
Etymology – The Root meaning
The basic root of the word ' aw-nawv is probably 'nh, which means
"to be bowed down, afflicted". The word could take different
directions depending on the idea one wished to express. One could
be bowed down with force, which meant "to be subdued" or "to
subdue." It could also mean "to be bowed down with
submissiveness"-that is, "to be humble." Or it could mean "to be
bowed down with care or trouble"-that is, "to be miserable or
afflicted