What can we learn from Miriam?

An attentive presence and a well-timed word can save a life: the child’s sister watches, then speaks (Exod 2:4-8). After deliverance, God deserves praise that is shared: Miriam leads all the women with her tambourine (Exod 15:20-21). A person can serve God and still rise against those he has appointed: “wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant?” (Num 12:8). Moses answers criticism with intercession: “Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee” (Num 12:13).

Exodus and wilderness · around 1530-1406 BC

Miriam in the Bible

The prophetess with the tambourine. Name meaning: A Hebrew name of disputed meaning; it is the same name that appears as “Mary” in the New Testament

Sister of Aaron and Moses, Miriam watches from a distance over the baby in the basket of reeds, then leads the women in song with a tambourine after the crossing of the Red Sea: “Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron” (Exod 15:20). Together with Aaron, she criticizes Moses and is struck with leprosy for seven days (Num 12). She dies at Kadesh (Num 20:1), and God counts her among those he sent before Israel (Mic 6:4).

Main books: Exodus, Numbers

Key moments

She watches from afar over the basket of reeds Exodus 2:4
She offers a Hebrew nurse to Pharaoh’s daughter Exodus 2:7
The prophetess takes a tambourine Exodus 15:20
She answers, “Sing ye to the LORD” Exodus 15:21
She speaks against Moses with Aaron Numbers 12:1
Struck with leprosy, white as snow Numbers 12:10
Moses cries out, “Heal her now” Numbers 12:13
She dies and is buried at Kadesh Numbers 20:1

Strengths

Vigilance
Praise
Leadership

Weaknesses

Together with Aaron, Miriam criticizes Moses over his Ethiopian wife and challenges his being God’s only spokesman: “hath he not spoken also by us?” (Num 12:1-2). The text names her first, and she alone is struck with leprosy (Num 12:1, 10).

Lessons for today

An attentive presence and a well-timed word can save a life: the child’s sister watches, then speaks (Exod 2:4-8).
After deliverance, God deserves praise that is shared: Miriam leads all the women with her tambourine (Exod 15:20-21).
A person can serve God and still rise against those he has appointed: “wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant?” (Num 12:8).
Moses answers criticism with intercession: “Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee” (Num 12:13).

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. 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.

Exodus 15:20–21

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

Numbers 12:2

And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.

Numbers 12:13

People around Miriam

Moses — Her brother, whom she criticizes and who then intercedes for her
Aaron — Her brother, with whom she speaks against Moses
Jochebed — Her mother, of the tribe of Levi
Amram — Her father, son of Kohath

Stories with Miriam

Moses Strikes the Rock at Meribah

Quiz: how well do you know Miriam?

What instrument did Miriam the prophetess take in her hand after the crossing of the Red Sea?

Against whom did Miriam and Aaron speak?

What disease struck Miriam after this criticism?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.