Movatterモバイル変換

Judges 4:4
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

1 Samuel 10:5
After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, whereis the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:

2 Kings 22:14
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.

sister

Exodus 2:4
And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

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.

Numbers 20:1
Then came the children of Israel,even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

a timbrel.

Judges 11:34
And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and shewas his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.

Judges 21:21
And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.

1 Samuel 18:6
And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.

Aaron’s sister
Miriam is identified as the sister of Aaron, which also makes her the sister of Moses. This familial connection places her within the central leadership family of the Exodus narrative. Her relationship with Aaron and Moses is significant, as it underscores the unity and shared mission of the siblings in leading the Israelites out of Egypt. This connection is also seen inExodus 2:4-8, where Miriam watches over the infant Moses in the Nile.

took a tambourine in her hand
The tambourine, or timbrel, was a common percussion instrument in ancient Israel, often used in celebrations and worship. Its use here signifies a moment of joy and victory following the crossing of the Red Sea. The act of taking the tambourine suggests a spontaneous expression of praise and thanksgiving to God for the deliverance from the Egyptians. The tambourine is also associated with prophetic and celebratory contexts in other scriptures, such as1 Samuel 10:5 andPsalm 150:4.

and all the women followed her
Miriam's leadership is evident as she leads the women in worship. This communal act of following indicates a shared experience of deliverance and a collective response of gratitude. The participation of all the women highlights the inclusive nature of worship and the role of women in the spiritual life of the community. It also reflects the cultural practice of women leading in song and dance during times of celebration, as seen inJudges 11:34 and1 Samuel 18:6.

with tambourines and dancing
The use of tambourines and dancing is a traditional expression of joy and celebration in ancient Israelite culture. This scene is reminiscent of other biblical instances where music and dance are used to celebrate God's victories, such as in2 Samuel 6:14-15 when David dances before the Ark of the Covenant. The combination of music and movement serves as a powerful expression of worship and acknowledgment of God's mighty acts. This joyful response can be seen as a type of the ultimate victory and celebration found in Christ's triumph over sin and death.

• The scene opens immediately after Israel has crossed the Red Sea (Exodus 15:1). God’s miraculous deliverance prompts spontaneous praise.

• Miriam is explicitly called “the prophetess,” marking her as one through whom God speaks, just as with Moses (Numbers 12:6-8) and later Deborah (Judges 4:4).

• Scripture shows that women as well as men can receive and share divine revelation (1 Corinthians 11:5;Acts 21:9).

• Her prophetic role underscores how God equips varied voices for His purposes (Micah 6:4).

• Identifying her as Aaron’s sister grounds her authority in a known family of leaders (Exodus 2:4;Numbers 26:59).

• The phrase ties Miriam to the covenant line, reminding Israel that leadership can flow through familial faithfulness (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

• By naming Aaron rather than Moses here, Scripture highlights the priestly lineage she complements (Exodus 28:1).

• A tambourine (or timbrel) was a small hand drum used for festive praise (Psalm 68:25).

• Israel carried instruments out of Egypt, expecting to worship (Exodus 12:31-32). Faith anticipates praise.

• Physical instruments in worship reflect a whole-person response to God (Psalm 150:4).

• Miriam’s action models initiative—she does not wait for an official call but leads as the Spirit stirs.

• Her influence draws the community of women into united praise, echoing later occasions when women led victory songs (1 Samuel 18:6-7).

• Biblical leadership is often imitated; Paul urges believers, “Follow my example” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

• The scene illustrates generational discipleship: older women leading younger (Titus 2:3-5).

• Collective worship strengthens communal identity after deliverance (Psalm 107:1-3).

• Joy overflows into movement; Scripture repeatedly links dancing with triumph (2 Samuel 6:14;Psalm 30:11; 149:3).

• Dancing here is corporate, orderly, and God-focused—celebration, not self-display.

• The combined sound of tambourines and rhythmic steps magnifies God’s glory and reinforces memory of His deeds (Exodus 15:1-2).

• Such exuberant praise anticipates the heavenly multitude celebrating final victory (Revelation 19:1-7).

Exodus 15:20 portrays Miriam, divinely appointed as a prophetess and sister to Israel’s leaders, stepping forward in faith with a tambourine. Her quick response to God’s salvation galvanizes the women into a joyful procession of music and dance. Together they embody wholehearted worship—mind, body, and spirit—publicly testifying to the Lord’s mighty deliverance and inviting future generations to remember and replicate such praise.

The sister of Aaron.--She is called "sister of Aaron," rather than of Moses, because Aaron was the head of the family (Exodus 6:20;Exodus 7:7). There is no reasonable doubt that she was the sister who kept watch on Moses when he was in the ark of bulrushes (Exodus 2:3-8). On her later history, seeNumbers 12:1-15. The prophet Micah regarded her as having had a part in the work of Israel's deliverance (Micah 6:4). . . .