Overview: Miriam in the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible

Miriam the Prophetess appears in these biblical passages

Miriam Saves Moses

Exodus 2:1–10  Miriam’s mother, Jochebed, placed Moses in a basket on the riverbed to save him from Pharoah’s decree to cast all newborn Hebrew boys into the Nile. The unnamed sister of Moses (presumably Miriam) hides by the riverbank to watch over the baby and helps deliver him to Pharoah’s daughter. Miriam arranges for Jochebed to nurse the baby.

Miriam’s Song of the Sea

Exodus 15:20-21 Called “the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister,” Miriam leads Hebrew women in celebratory singing and dancing after the Israelites” deliverance from the Egyptians.

Miriam is Exiled

Num 12:1-16 Miriam and Aaron speak out against Moses in the matter of the Cushite woman and challenge his prophetic authority. Only Miriam is punished, stricken with a skin disease. Aaron pleads with Moses on her behalf and Moses pleads with God. God responds by confining her outside the camp for seven days. The people wait to continue their journey until Miriam returns.

Miriam’s Well

Num 20:1-2 Miriam disappears from the narrative until a brief announcement of her death and burial at Kadesh. After her death, the Israelites suffer from a lack of water.

Miriam’s Genealogy

Num 26:58-59 Two genealogies list Moses, Aaron, and Miriam as the sole children of Amram and Johaved, supporting Miriam’s identification as the sister of Moses.

1 Chr 6:3 The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

Miriam’s Leadership

Micah 6:4 Miriam’s status as a leader along with her brothers, Moses, and Aaron, is affirmed.

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