the anger of the LORD was kindled against them

The Hebrew that is translated as “the anger of the Lord was kindled against them” or similar in English is translated in Bura-Pabir as MTHLAKU ku ɓzi ka duna ata kəra ɗa or “the Lord did take heart on their head,” a Bura idiom that describes something similar to the Hebrew idiom used here. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

God's anger, wrath of God

The Hebrew and Greek What is translated into English as “the wrath of God” (Good News Translation: “God’s anger”) has to be referred to in Bengali as judgment, punishment or whatever fits the context. In Bengali culture, anger is by definition bad and can never be predicated of God. (Source: David Clark)

In Kikuyu the whole phrase that is translated in English as “storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath” or similar is translated as “you are increasing for yourself God’s wrath.” (Source: Jan Sterk)

In Quetzaltepec Mixe it is translated with a term “that not only expresses anger, but also punishment” (source: Robert Bascom), in Western Bukidnon Manobo as “the coming punishment of God on mankind” (source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation), in Kankanaey as “God’s fearful/terrible future punishing of people” (source: Kankanaey Back Translation), in Tagbanwa as “the coming anger/hatred of God” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation), and in Tenango Otomi as “the punishment which will come” (source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation).

See also anger.

Translation commentary on Numbers 12:9 - 12:10

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them: For this figurative expression of the LORD’s burning anger, see the comments on verse 11.1.

And he departed; and when the cloud removed from over the tent: Good News Translation says “and so as he departed and the cloud left the Tent.” A more accurate rendering is “and he [the LORD] departed. When the cloud lifted from over the Tent.” This model helps to show that the LORD’s departure and the cloud’s removal go together. The first three clauses of verses 9-10 are closely connected in the Hebrew as a dramatic way of building up to the climactic behold.

Behold, Miriam was leprous: The Hebrew sentence structure here and the word for behold (hinneh) indicate that Miriam’s disease came suddenly, immediately when the cloud left. Good News Translation renders behold as “suddenly,” but other languages may have another way of introducing the dramatic revelation here, perhaps quite close to the original; for example, Chewa says “just have a look!” For the Hebrew word rendered leprous, see the comments on “leper” at 5.2.

As white as snow is literally “as snow” (NET Bible), so the point of comparison between Miriam’s skin and snow is not necessarily the color white, but rather the damp, watery appearance of melting snow. As a footnote in NET Bible points out, wetness or moistness could also be in view, referring to open wounds and sores of pus. This idea seems to be suggested by Aaron’s later figurative description in verse 12. If skin color or quality had been an issue when Miriam called attention to Moses’ Cushite wife, she was now appropriately punished.

And Aaron turned towards Miriam, and behold, she was leprous: The description of what happened to Miriam is repeated from Aaron’s perspective (the first time perhaps being that of Moses himself). Good News Translation removes some of the repetition here by rendering and behold, she was leprous as “and saw that she was covered with the disease,” but in some languages it may be retained for emphasis.

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .