Miriam
- Dates
- 1536–1410 BC
Name means "the beloved one." She is the daughter of Amram and the sister of Aaron and Moses. Miriam is described as a prophetess who leads the women in praise after the Red Sea experience. She also expresses jealousy with Aaron of Moses' leadership.
In detail
The sister of Aaron and Moses (Ex 15:20 Num 26:59). She watched over the ark containing the infant Moses, which was placed by the river's brink, and negotiated his care (Ex 2:4—9). After the safe crossing of the Red Sea, Miriam, now called a prophetess, led the Israelite women in praise to God for the miraculous deliverance (Ex 15:20, 21 Mic 6:4). Later, with her brother Aaron, she is described as being jealous of Moses' place of leadership.
The two voiced their dissatisfaction to Moses, using his marriage to a Cushite woman, by which they probably meant Zipporah, the Midianitess, as a pretext for their discontent. They also claimed equality with him, stating that God had spoken through them as well as through him. For her rebellion against God's will and His chosen instrument Miriam was punished by leprosy, but was healed after Moses interceded for her (Num 12:1—16 Deut 24:9). She died in Kadesh, and was buried there (Num 20:1).
Bible passages
- Numbers 26:59
And the name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.
- 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.
Text of the King James Version.
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