Charles Ellicott Commentary Numbers 12:14

"And Jehovah said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut up without the camp seven days, and after that she shall be brought in again." — Numbers 12:14 (ASV)

If her father had only spit in her face— Or, in her presence. Spitting in the presence of anyone, much more spitting in the face of anyone, is regarded in the East as an indication of the utmost degree of abhorrence and indignation. Compare to Deuteronomy 25:9; Job 30:10; Isaiah 1:6; Matthew 26:67.

Seven days— This was the time during which the person suspected of being leprous was to be shut up initially (Leviticus 13:4; Leviticus 13:21, and other similar verses); and this was also the time during which the leper, when cleansed, was to tarry abroad out of his tent, after he had come into the camp, before the appointed sacrifices were offered on his behalf (Leviticus 14:8; Leviticus 14:10). In this way, she who had placed herself on a level with the divinely-appointed head and ruler of her nation was to be excluded for seven days from any part or lot in the privileges which were enjoyed by the humblest member of the congregation.