Numbers 12

Another power struggle that deserves attention is the rift between Aaron and Miriam on one hand and Moses on the other in Numbers 12. The complaint has to do with Moses’ marriage with a foreign wife, but the real issue is who the preeminent prophet is. Again, an act of God decides the case, and there is no question that Moses is the preeminent prophet to whom God speaks directly. (Oxford NRSV notes) But Aaron and Miriam clearly played significant roles as prophets and leaders of the people. (For Miriam’s role, see Exodus 15:20 & 21). After the crossing of the Red Sea, Miriam took a tambourine and led the women in dancing and song. This event is symbolic of her much larger role as a leader and prophet. Unfortunately, much of her story is left unsaid in the Bible.

Here in Numbers 12, the Lord decided against Aaron and Miriam, but only Miriam got punished. “When the cloud went away from over the tent, Miriam had become leprous, as white as snow. And Aaron turned towards Miriam and saw that she was leprous. Then Aaron said to Moses, ‘Oh, my lord, do not punish us for a sin that we have so foolishly committed.’” (Numbers 12:10, 11) What does he mean “punish us”? Miriam was the only one who became leprous and was sent out of the camp for a time.

Throughout the Bible, we are made aware that this was a patriarchal culture and that these texts were written predominantly by men. This can be discouraging to read, and some feminist theologians have abandoned the Bible altogether. Most readers, however, recognize that the Bible is a book of its times, and still see the greater message of God’s grace that shines through.

Numbers 27 & 36

In spite of the patriarchal culture and its corresponding slant in the writing, there are moments in the Bible in which bold women challenge the patriarchal system and are heard. One brilliant example (Numbers 27) involves the daughters of Zelophehad from the tribe of Manasseh. It is significant that they are even named in the Bible. These women should be recognized as some of the earliest feminist heroes.

Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. “They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and all the congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting,” (Numbers 27:2 NRSV) and spoke. This reminds me of those bumper stickers I see most often on cars driven by women. “Speak your mind even if your voice shakes.” It must have taken great courage for these women to speak up in front of Moses, the Priest and leaders and the entire congregation. The entrance to the tent of meeting would have been a strategic place to speak as the congregation gathered.

These women brought their case before Moses and the people. Their father had died and had left no sons. Under the present system, their father’s land would go to his brothers. But the women challenged the status quo. “Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father’s brothers.” (v. 4) I don’t know if it was by strategy or necessity that the women couched their request in terms of their father’s name. Passing on one’s name from generation to generation was an important way for a person to live on in the community. This approach probably carried more weight for the women than if they had simply demanded a women’s right to inheritance. Moses brought the matter before the Lord, and the law was amended. “If a man dies, and has no son, than you shall pass his inheritance on to his daughter” (v. 9). The women won their case.

As in modern times, however, this political action led to a counter action. In Chapter 36, the male leaders responded. They were worried about what would happen to the land if the women married into another Israelite tribe. “…their inheritance…will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry; so it will be taken away from the allotted portion of the inheritance of our ancestral tribe (Numbers 36:6).” Couldn’t have that! So the solution was that women were forbidden to marry outside of their tribe. One step forward, two steps back. Still, this ability for women to inherit property was a significant advance for women’s autonomy.