Footnote 3 – In Death as in Life

The only exception appears in Numbers 12:15–16, which mentions neither water nor the needs of others. Though Miriam has been stricken with a skin disease and expelled from the camp for slandering Moses, the Israelites wait for her to be healed before continuing their journey: “So Miriam was shut out of camp seven days; and the people did not march on until Miriam was readmitted. After that the people set out from Hazeroth and encamped in the wilderness of Paran.” We sense the honor accorded Miriam in their waiting but also the inconvenience her sickness has imposed on the large camp. But even here, the narrative quickly moves from her to the ongoing trek of the Israelites.