Topical Encyclopedia
Miriam is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, known for her role as a prophetess and leader among the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt. She is the sister of Moses and Aaron, and her account is primarily found in the books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Early Life and Role in Moses' SurvivalMiriam first appears in the biblical narrative in
Exodus 2:1-10. Although not named in this passage, she is traditionally identified as the sister who watches over the infant Moses after he is placed in a basket on the Nile River. When Pharaoh's daughter discovers the child, Miriam courageously approaches her and offers to find a Hebrew nurse for the baby, thus ensuring that Moses' own mother is able to care for him during his early years.
Prophetess and LeaderMiriam is explicitly called a prophetess in
Exodus 15:20. After the Israelites cross the Red Sea and witness the destruction of the Egyptian army, Miriam leads the women in a song of triumph and praise to God. This event highlights her role as a spiritual leader and her gift of prophecy. The passage states: "Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing" (
Exodus 15:20).
Rebellion and ConsequencesMiriam's leadership is further illustrated in
Numbers 12, where she and Aaron speak against Moses because of his Cushite wife. The text suggests that Miriam is the instigator of this challenge to Moses' authority. As a result, God punishes her with leprosy, causing her to be isolated from the camp for seven days. This incident underscores the seriousness of challenging God's appointed leaders and serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and obedience.
Numbers 12:10-15 describes this event, noting that "the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow" (
Numbers 12:10).
Death and LegacyMiriam's death is recorded in
Numbers 20:1, which states, "In the first month, the whole congregation of Israel entered the Wilderness of Zin, and the people stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried" (
Numbers 20:1). Her passing marks the end of an era for the Israelites, as she was a key figure during their journey from slavery to the brink of the Promised Land.
Miriam's legacy is one of faith, leadership, and the complexities of human nature. She is remembered as a woman of strength and influence, whose life and actions had a significant impact on the history of Israel. Her account serves as an example of both the blessings and challenges that come with leadership and the importance of remaining faithful to God's calling.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Miriamrebellion
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Miriam(rebellion), the sister of Moses, was the eldest of that sacred family; and she first appears, probably as a young girl, watching her infant brother's cradle in the Nile, (Exodus 2:4) and suggesting her mother as a nurse. ver. 7. After the crossing of the Red Sea "Miriam the prophetess" is her acknowledged title. ch. (Exodus 15:20) The prophetic power showed itself in her under the same form as that which it assumed in the days of Samuel and David, --poetry, accompanied with music and processions. ch. (Exodus 15:1-19) She took the lead, with Aaron, in the complaint against Moses for his marriage with a Cushite, (Numbers 12:1,2) and for this was attacked with leprosy. This stroke and its removal, which took place at Hazeroth, form the last public event of Miriam's life. ch. (Numbers 12:1-15) She died toward the close of the wanderings at Kadesh, and was buried there. ch. (Numbers 20:1) (B.C. about 1452.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
MiriamThe sister of Moses and Aaron, probably the one who watched over Moses in the ark of bulrushes,Exodus 2:4,5Numbers 26 59Micah 6 4. As a prophetess, she led the women of Israel in their song of worship and thanksgiving to God on the drowning of the Egyptians,Exodus 15:20,21. Her jealous murmurs against Moses and his Cushite wife were punished by a temporary leprosy,Numbers 12:1-16 De 24:9; but she was forgiven and restored, and near the close of the wandering of Israel, died at Kadwshbarnea,Numbers 20:1.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Their rebellion.
(1.) The sister of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 2:4-10;1 Chronicles 6:3). Her name is prominent in the history of the Exodus. She is called "the prophetess" (Exodus 15:20). She took the lead in the song of triumph after the passage of the Red Sea. She died at Kadesh during the second encampment at that place, toward the close of the wanderings in the wilderness, and was buried there (Numbers 20:1). (seeAARON; MOSES.)
(2.)1 Chronicles 4:17, one of the descendants of Judah.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MIRIAMmir'-i-am (miryam; Septuagint and the New Testament Mariam; English Versions of the Bible of the New Testament "Mary"):
(1) Daughter of Amram and Jochebed, and sister of Aaron and Moses. It is probable that it was she who watched the ark of bulrushes in which the child Moses was laid (Exodus 2:4). She associated herself with her brothers in the exodus, is called "the prophetess," and led the choir of maidens who sang the triumph-song after the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20 f). Along with Aaron, she opposed Moses at Hazeroth (Numbers 12:1-5). She was smitten with leprosy in punishment, but on Aaron's intercession was pardoned and healed (Numbers 12:10-15). She died and was buried at Kadesh (Numbers 20:1). In the Deuteronomic Law respecting leprosy, Miriam is mentioned as a warning to the Israelites (Deuteronomy 24:8 f). InMicah 6:4, she is referred to along with Moses and Aaron as a leader of God's people.
(2) Son (or daughter) of Jether (1 Chronicles 4:17). The latter half of the verse is in its present situation unintelligible; it should probably follow verse 18 (see Curtis, Chronicles, in the place cited.).
John A. Lees
Greek
3137. Maria -- Mary, the name of several Christian women... Noun, Feminine; Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Maria or Mariam Phonetic
Spelling: (mar-ee'-ah) Short Definition: Mary,
Miriam Definition: Mary
...Strong's Hebrew
4813. Miryam -- a sister of Aaron, also a man of Judah... 4812, 4813. Miryam. 4814 . a sister of Aaron, also a man of Judah. Transliteration:
Miryam Phonetic Spelling: (meer-yawm') Short Definition:
Miriam.
...Miriam.
...Library
The LadyMiriam
... CHAPTER VI THE LADYMIRIAM.... Dost know the LadyMiriam?". "The Israelite?". "Even
so.". "I saw her this day.". "Good. Now, look upon the scene....
Song of Moses andMiriam
... LYRICS III SONG OF MOSES ANDMIRIAM. TUTTI I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath
triumphed gloriously: The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea....
Whom the LadyMiriam Sent
... CHAPTER XLVI WHOM THE LADYMIRIAM SENT.... He moved aside to give them room, and glancing
at the foremost, recognized her immediately as the LadyMiriam....
Miriam
... 120Miriam, 7s & 6s. Double. (300) O sacred head, now wounded! With grief
and shame weighed down, Now scornfully surrounded With...
But Besides Other Things the Action ofMiriam the Prophetess Also...
... II."Ascetic and Moral. Chapter XIX. But besides other things the action
ofMiriam the prophetess also gives rise to these? But...
Shame on Account of God's Displeasure.
... Aaron andMiriam could not bear that even their own brother should occupy a Position
of exceptional dignity, and with ignorant pretentiousness aspired to...
The Child Moses.
... She had two other children"Miriam, a girl of fifteen, and Aaron, a little boy of
three"and she told them that they were not to tell any one they had a...
Philip and the Desposyni
... questions, he told Philip that they could reach Lubiyeh, which was the ancient home
of the Desposyni, in two days, and that there he would findMiriam well and...
Philip at Antioch
... the flowers, the balmy air, the pealing hymns, the assembled children, the beautiful
maidens of Nazareth, of whom none were so beautiful asMiriam and Ruth...
The Story of Moses, the Child who was Found in the River
... would see it. And she sent her own daughter, a little girl namedMiriam,
twelve years old, to watch close at hand. How anxious the...
Thesaurus
Miriam (13 Occurrences)... (2.) 1 Chronicles 4:17, one of the descendants of Judah. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia.
MIRIAM.
... John A. Lees. Multi-Version Concordance
Miriam (13 Occurrences
...Amram (14 Occurrences)
... Levi. He married Jochebed, "his father's sister," and was the father of
Aaron,Miriam, and Moses (Exodus 6:18, 20; Numbers 3:19)....
Ethiopian (11 Occurrences)
... was now dead. His marriage of this "woman" descended from Ham gave offence
to Aaron andMiriam. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A...
Kidron (11 Occurrences)
... latter there must have been many around the now buried caves which lay at the base
of the cliffs around the spring Gihon): 1. Wady SittiMiriam: The Nachal...
Jochebed (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Jehovah is her glory, the wife of Amram, and the
mother ofMiriam, Aaron, and Moses (Numbers 26:59). She...
Withdrawn (28 Occurrences)
... Numbers 12:10 The cloud departed from over the Tent; and behold,Miriam was leprous,
as white as snow. Aaron looked atMiriam, and behold, she was leprous....
Travel (25 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Numbers 12:15Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days, and the
people didn't travel untilMiriam was brought in again. (WEB)....
March (41 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Numbers 12:15Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days,
and the people didn't travel untilMiriam was brought in again. (See RSV)....
Prophetess (8 Occurrences)
... It should be noted, however, that women likeMiriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges
4:4) and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14) were not credited with the seer's insight...
Confined (18 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Numbers 12:15Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days, and the
people didn't travel untilMiriam was brought in again. (See NIV)....
Resources
Dance in worship - what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Moses' mother? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Moses' wife? Did Moses have more than one wife? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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