EGW → Biblical Foundation
Select an Ellen White book from the sidebar to see each passage mapped to the Bible verses it amplifies, cites, or echoes.
Scripture Index
Ellen White & Bible Cross-Reference
Numbers 12:1
"And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman."
"Yielding to the spirit of dissatisfaction, Miriam found cause of complaint in events that God had especially overruled. The marriage of Moses had been displeasing to her. That he should choose a woman of another nation, instead of taking a wife from among the Hebrews, was an offense to her family and national pride. Zipporah was treated with ill-disguised contempt. PP 383.2"
The EGW passage directly refers to the event described in Numbers 12:1, where Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses because of his marriage to an Ethiopian woman. This is a clear and intentional allusion.
"Though called a “Cushite woman” ( Numbers 12:1 , R.V.), the wife of Moses was a Midianite, and thus a descendant of Abraham. In personal appearance she differed from the Hebrews in being of a somewhat darker complexion. Though not an Israelite, Zipporah was a worshiper of the true God. She was of a timid, retiring disposition, gentle and affectionate, and greatly distressed at the sight of suffering; and it was for this reason that Moses, when on the way to Egypt, had consented to her return to Midian. He desired to spare her the pain of witnessing the judgments that were to fall on the Egyptians. PP 383.3"
Ellen White directly references Numbers 12:1 in this passage.
"When Zipporah rejoined her husband in the wilderness, she saw that his burdens were wearing away his strength, and she made known her fears to Jethro, who suggested measures for his relief. Here was the chief reason for Miriam's antipathy to Zipporah. Smarting under the supposed neglect shown to herself and Aaron, she regarded the wife of Moses as the cause, concluding that her influence had prevented him from taking them into his counsels as formerly. Had Aaron stood up firmly for the right, he might have checked the evil; but instead of showing Miriam the sinfulness of her conduct, he sympathized with her, listened to her words of complaint, and thus came to share her jealousy. PP 384.1"
The EGW passage directly refers to the events and characters mentioned in Numbers 12:1, providing context and interpretation of the biblical narrative.
Numbers 12:2
"And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it."
"position and authority had been ignored. Miriam and Aaron had never known the weight of care and responsibility which had rested upon Moses; yet because they had been chosen to aid him they regarded themselves as sharing equally with him the burden of leadership, and they regarded the appointment of further assistants as uncalled for. PP 382.4"
EGW explains the context and motivation behind Miriam and Aaron's questioning of Moses' authority, which is directly related to Numbers 12:2.
"3. Still others have rebelled against the testimonies. Some of these have responded in a faultfinding spirit. Some have shown bitterness, anger, and wrath, and in return for my toil and pains in writing the testimonies they have turned upon us to injure us all they could; while others have held me for hours in personal interviews to pour into my ears and my aching heart their complaints, murmurings, and self-justifications, perhaps appealing to their own sympathies with weeping, and losing sight of their own faults and sins. The influence of these things has been terrible upon me and has sometimes driven me nearly to distraction. That which has followed from the conduct of these unconsecrated, unthankful persons has cost me more suffering and has worn upon my courage and health ten times more than all the toil of writing the testimonies. 1T 631.1"
Both passages deal with questioning the authority and role of a leader chosen by God. In Numbers, Miriam and Aaron question Moses' unique relationship with God. In the EGW passage, people are rebelling against her testimonies, implying a questioning of her prophetic role. The parallel lies in the challenge to divinely appointed leadership.
Numbers 12:3
"(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)"
"Shut in by the bulwarks of the mountains, Moses was alone with God. The magnificent temples of Egypt no longer impressed his mind with their superstition and falsehood. In the solemn grandeur of the everlasting hills he beheld the majesty of the Most High, and in contrast realized how powerless and insignificant were the gods of Egypt. Everywhere the Creator's name was written. Moses seemed to stand in His presence and to be over- shadowed by His power. Here his pride and self-sufficiency were swept away. In the stern simplicity of his wilderness life, the results of the ease and luxury of Egypt disappeared. Moses became patient, reverent, and humble, “very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” ( Numbers 12:3 ), yet strong in faith in the mighty God of Jacob. PP 248.3"
Ellen White directly references Numbers 12:3 in this passage.
"The best efforts of the meekest man upon the earth could not quell their insubordination. The unselfish interest of Moses was rewarded with jealousy, suspicion, and calumny. His humble shepherd's life was far more peaceful and happy than his present position as pastor of that vast congregation of turbulent spirits. Their unreasonable jealousies were more difficult to manage than the fierce wolves of the wilderness. But Moses dared not choose his own course and do as best pleased himself. He had left the shepherd's crook at God's command and in its place had received a rod of power. He dared not lay down this scepter and resign his position till God should dismiss him. 3T 342.2"
The EGW passage directly refers to Moses and his experience with the Israelites, elaborating on the difficulties he faced despite his meekness, which is a central characteristic highlighted in Numbers 12:3.
Numbers 12:6
"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."
"The Scriptures point out various channels through which the Holy Spirit would operate on the hearts and minds of men to enlighten their understanding and guide their steps. Among these were visions and dreams. In this way God would still communicate with the children of men. Here is His promise on this point: “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.” Numbers 12:6 . By this means supernatural knowledge was communicated to Balaam. Thus He says: “Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: he hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the Most High, which saw the vision of the almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open.” Numbers 24:15, 16 . PP 20.2"
Ellen White directly references Numbers 12:6 in this passage.
"“I have had a remarkable dream about you and Sister White, and feel it my duty to relate the same to you as far as I can remember. I dreamed that I related it to Sister White, as well as the interpretation thereof, which also was given me in the dream. When I awoke, something urged me to get up and write down all the particulars, lest I should forget them; but I neglected to do so, partly because I was tired, and partly because I thought it was nothing but a dream. But seeing that I never dreamed of you before, and that this dream was so intelligent, and so intimately connected with you, I have come to the conclusion that I ought to tell you. The following is all I can remember of it: 1T 597.2"
Both passages deal with the topic of dreams and their potential significance as a form of divine communication. The EGW passage describes someone recounting a dream and feeling compelled to share it, while Numbers 12:6 speaks of God communicating through dreams to prophets.
"During the following night I seemed to be witnessing the performances of the afternoon. The scene was clearly laid out before me, and I was given a message for the manager and teachers of the school. CT 348.4"
Both passages describe God communicating through visions or dreams. EGW describes receiving a message in a dream, while Numbers 12:6 describes how God communicates with prophets. The connection is thematic and supports EGW's prophetic role.
"***** One night, previous to an important meeting, I seemed in my sleeping hours to be in meeting with my brethren, listening to One who spoke as having authority. He said: GW 404.2"
Both passages refer to God communicating through dreams or visions. Numbers 12:6 is a general statement about how God speaks to prophets, while EGW describes a specific instance of receiving a message in a dream.
Numbers 12:7
"My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house."
"declared “faithful in all Mine house,” a nearer communion had been granted. With him God spake mouth to mouth. “Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against My servant Moses? And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and He departed.” The cloud disappeared from the tabernacle in token of God's displeasure, and Miriam was smitten. She “became leprous, white as snow.” Aaron was spared, but he was severely rebuked in Miriam's punishment. Now, their pride humbled in the dust, Aaron confessed their sin, and entreated that his sister might not be left to perish by that loathsome and deadly scourge. In answer to the prayers of Moses the leprosy was cleansed. Miriam was, however, shut out of the camp for seven days. Not until she was banished from the encampment did the symbol of God's favor again rest upon the tabernacle. In respect for her high position, and in grief at the blow that had fallen upon her, the whole company abode in Hazeroth, awaiting her return. PP 384.3"
The EGW passage directly quotes and elaborates on Numbers 12:7, making the connection an explicit allusion.
Numbers 12:8
"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?"
"He who reads the secrets of all hearts had marked the purposes of Korah and his companions and had given His people such warning and instruction as might have enabled them to escape the deception of these designing men. They had seen the judgment of God fall upon Miriam because of her jealousy and complaints against Moses. The Lord had declared that Moses was greater than a prophet. “With him will I speak mouth to mouth.” “Wherefore, then,” He added, “were ye not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” Numbers 12:8 . These instructions were not intended for Aaron and Miriam alone, but for all Israel. PP 396.3"
Ellen White directly references Numbers 12:8 in this passage.
"Moses did not merely think of God, he saw Him. God was the constant vision before him. Never did he lose sight of His face. Ed 63.4"
Both passages emphasize Moses' unique and direct relationship with God. Numbers 12:8 states that Moses beholds 'the similitude of the Lord,' which aligns with EGW's statement that Moses 'saw Him' and 'never did he lose sight of His face.'
Numbers 12:10
"And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous."
Chapter 27—“Thou Canst Make Me Clean” This chapter is based on Matthew 8:2-4 ; Matthew 9:1-8 ; Matthew 9:32-34 ; Mark 1:40-45 ; Mark 2:1-12 ; Luke 5:12-28 . Of all diseases known in the East the leprosy was most dreaded. Its incurable and contagious character, and its horrible effect upon its victims, filled the bravest with fear. Among the Jews it was regarded as a judgment on account of sin, and hence was called “the stroke,” “the finger of God.” Deep-rooted, ineradicable, deadly, it was looked upon as a symbol of sin. By the ritual law, the leper was pronounced unclean. Like one already dead, he was shut out from the habitations of men. Whatever he touched was unclean. The air was polluted by his breath. One who was suspected of having the disease must present himself to the priests, who were to examine and decide his case. If pronounced a leper, he was isolated from his family, cut off from the congregation of Israel, and was doomed to associate with those only who were similarly a…
Miriam's leprosy is an example of leprosy being seen as a judgment from God, which is a theme EGW discusses.