Miriam: an Extension Study of People in the Bible

Miriam, Moses’s older sister and prophetess. We hear about Miria. in Exodus 2 while she silently watches her brother float down the Nile River in his makeshift raft. Her duty was to see what would come of her tiny infant brother. She watched as the Pharaoh’s daughter drew the tiny infant from the water. She asked Pharaoh’s daughter if she would want her to find a Hebrew woman to care for the baby. After she says yes Miriam runs and tells her mother what she witnessed. Moses’s mother is then able to care for him until he was 3, Miriam was likely around him as well. Then Moses was returned back to Pharaoh’s daughter.

Can you imagine what was going through that young girl’s mind as she watched her mother place her baby brother into the basket. As a mother myself I can only imagine the conversations betwen them regarding what must be done. How incredibly brave and courageous she must have been. Her mother must have been proud of her strength and willingness to obey.

Then she watched as a bystander as Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s house, rising through the ranks. After killing an Egyptian she witnesses Moses’s exile, and ultimately return with Aaron and how they brought about the 10 plagues upon Egypt. What a wondrous spectacle to observe for anyone, much less you own brothers leading the rebellion! A front row seat to God’s power and her brothers heroism.

In Exodus 15:20-21, Miriam is described as singing and dancing, rejoicing in the Lord. All the women followed her praise and worshiping God.
“20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.” This event happened after they had successfully crossed the Red Sea.

It is very intriguing that she is called a prophetess. Was this a title she held before Exodus or did she obtain it while going alongside her brothers Moses and Aaron? One can only speculate as there is no Biblical record to support the idea of her having any prestige beforehand. It is also interesting that Micah 6:4 states Moses, Aaron and Mirian delivered the people from Egypt. “For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.”

Her title as a prophetess is one held by only a handful of women in the Bible, her being the very first one mentioned. Others in the Bible to take in that role include, Deborah, who led the Israelites to victory (Judges 4:4); Huldah, who provided guidance during King Josiah’s reign (2 Kings 22:14); Isaiah’s wife, who is mentioned in the context of prophetic messages (Isaiah 8:3); Anna, who recognized the infant Jesus as the Messiah (Luke 2:36); and Philip’s four daughters, who were known for their prophetic gifts (Acts 21:9). These women played important roles in communicating God’s messages and guiding His people.

We read about Miriam again in Numbers 12:1-6 when she and Aaron spoke out against Moses. They expressed their concerns about Moses marrying an Ethiopian woman and his priestly leadership. 
“1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.

2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.”

God’s punishment came swiftly upon them for having a complaining spirit and for questioning God. Miriam was struck with leprosy and Aaron intercedes on her behalf. He pleads to Moses who then pleads with God for her restoration. After 7 days of isolation she was healed and the convoy continued to travel. After her divine punishment Miriam does not speak nor is she spoken to until her death in Number 20. She would not see the Promised Land but spent a large part of her life leading the people alongside her brothers Moses and Aaron.

Miriam’s legacy is one of faith, courage, and dedication to God’s people. Her life offers valuable insights into the importance of family, spiritual leadership, and trust in God’s guidance. Through her story, we see the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of leadership, but also the profound impact of faith and obedience to God’s will. Miriam’s contributions to the Israelites’ journey and her role in biblical history make her a remarkable and inspiring figure.




https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/miriam-bible#:~:text=Miriam%20is%20best%20known%20for,after%20crossing%20the%20Red%20Sea.

https://www.whwomenclergy.org/women-of-faith-series-miriam

https://www.gotquestions.org/Miriam-in-the-Bible.html