Topical Encyclopedia Miriam, a prominent figure in the Hebrew Scriptures, is recognized as a prophetess and a leader among the Israelites. Her account is primarily found in the books of Exodus and Numbers, where she plays a significant role in the narrative of the Exodus from Egypt.Family and Early Life Miriam was the daughter of Amram and Jochebed and the sister of Aaron and Moses. Her early life is marked by her quick thinking and bravery, as seen in Exodus 2:4-8. When Pharaoh's daughter discovered the infant Moses in the Nile, it was Miriam who approached her and suggested that a Hebrew woman nurse the child. This act not only saved Moses but also ensured that he was raised with an awareness of his Hebrew heritage. Role as a Prophetess Miriam is explicitly referred to as a prophetess in Exodus 15:20. After the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, Miriam led the women of Israel in a song of triumph and praise to God. 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). This event highlights her role as a spiritual leader and her ability to inspire worship and gratitude among the people. Leadership and Influence Miriam's influence extended beyond her prophetic role. She, along with Moses and Aaron, was part of the leadership triumvirate guiding the Israelites through the wilderness. In Micah 6:4, God acknowledges her leadership, saying, "For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam before you" . This recognition underscores her importance in the history of Israel. The Incident at Hazeroth Despite her significant contributions, Miriam's account also includes a moment of rebellion. In Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of his Cushite wife and questioned his unique relationship with God. The Lord responded by affirming Moses' special status and punishing Miriam with leprosy. Numbers 12:10 recounts, "As the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous, white as snow" . This incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of challenging God's appointed leaders. Restoration and Legacy Miriam's leprosy was a temporary affliction, as Moses interceded on her behalf, and she was healed after seven days outside the camp (Numbers 12:13-15). Her restoration allowed her to continue her role among the Israelites until her death. Miriam passed away in Kadesh and was buried there, as recorded in Numbers 20:1. Miriam's legacy as a prophetess and leader is significant in the biblical narrative. Her life exemplifies the vital roles women played in the spiritual and communal life of Israel. Her account is a testament to the power of faith, leadership, and the importance of obedience to God's will. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 15:20,21And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances. Nave's Topical Index Micah 6:4 Library Whom the Lady Miriam Sent Miscellaneous Subjects. Examples of Circumspect Behaviour from the Old Testament. A Case of Conscience Resolved The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ... Appeal to the Christian Women of the South Some General Matters and Some Biblical Characters. The Bible Book ... Book 4 Footnotes Salvation Published from the Mountains On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ... Resources What does the Bible have to say about women missionaries? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from what the Bible says about Jesus and women? | GotQuestions.org Since women preachers can be just as good as men, doesn't that mean they are called to preach? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |