Números 12:8

With him will I speak. — Better, do I speak, mouth to mouth. Comp. Êxodo 33:11.

Even apparently. — The noun mareh, which is here used, is cognate with that which occurs with the preposition in Números 12:6, and which is rendered “a vision.” It differs from it only in punctuation, and is sometimes identical in meaning. It appears, however, here to denote an objective reality, as in Êxodo 3:3, where it is rendered sight. The clause might be rendered, and (as) an appearance, and not in riddles (or, enigmas).

And the similitude of the Lord... — Or, and the form of Jehovah doth he behold. The word which is here rendered similitude (temunah) is the same which occurs in Êxodo 20:4; Deuteronômio 4:15; Deuteronômio 4:23; Deuteronômio 4:25; Deuteronômio 5:8; Salmos 17:15. It is sometimes rendered likeness, and sometimes similitude. The noun mareh, which is here rendered “apparently,” and that which is rendered similitude, are found in conjunction in Jó 4:16 : “I could not discern the form (or appearance), mareh, thereof: an image (or form), temunah, was before mine eyes.” (Comp. Êxodo 33:20.)