Who was Miriam in the Bible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Miriam's story begins with her pivotal role in saving her brother Moses as a baby, showcasing her resourcefulness and care. As Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, Miriam played a significant role in supporting him and leading worship after their deliverance. However, her pride led her to challenge Moses' authority, resulting in God's discipline as she was struck with leprosy. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of submission to God's chosen leaders. Miriam's life highlights both her faithfulness in leadership and her humanity, reminding us of the need for humility and obedience in our own lives.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The story of Miriam begins in Exodus 2, although her name is not recorded there. Standing on the banks of the Nile river, Miriam watched as her baby brother, Moses, lay hidden among the reeds. Miriam watched as Pharaoh's daughter took pity on him. Miriam asked Pharaoh's daughter if she could find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child for her, and Pharaoh's daughter agreed. Miriam's clever thinking led to Moses' mother nursing him. When Moses was old enough, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him as her own.
• Even though Miriam did not grow up with Moses, when he returned to Egypt, they reunited, and she supported Moses and their brother Aaron in encouraging the Israelites and preparing them to leave Egypt. After crossing the Red Sea, Miriam began to sing and dance, worshiping God for delivering her people from slavery. She took a tambourine in her hand, and the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. "And Miriam sang to them: 'Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea'" (Exodus 15:21). Miriam is called a prophetess, a title only given to six other women in the Bible, of which Miriam was the first.
• There came a point when Miriam's position of leadership got to her head. Her pride made her jealous of Moses' superior authority. Numbers 12 describes Miriam and Aaron speaking against Moses because of his Cushite wife. "And they said, 'Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?'" (Numbers 12:2). God was very displeased at this and called the three siblings outside the camp. He rebuked Miriam and Aaron and struck Miriam with leprosy. It is likely that only Miriam was struck with leprosy because she was the instigator. Aaron immediately repented and asked Moses to intercede for them. Although Aaron's job as the high priest was to intercede for the people, he recognized his need to submit to the authority God had granted Moses over him. Moses prayed for his sister, and God promised to restore her health after seven days. Miriam had to live in isolation for a week outside of the camp as a consequence for her sin. As a leader, she had great influence over the people and responsibility to lead them well. God needed to show the people the error of her ways so they would not stumble with her.
• Numbers 20:1–2 records Miriam’s death. It reads: "and the people of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh. And Miriam died there and was buried there."

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Miriam is not mentioned in the New Testament.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Miriam is called a prophetess, one empowered to proclaim the Word of God to others. There are a few other prophetesses in the Bible, but Miriam was the first. It seems that the people, especially the women, looked up to her and followed her. In Miriam we see a faithful sister and a woman who led the people in praising the Lord. We also see a cautionary tale about pride and the importance of submitting to those to whom God has placed in positions of leadership. We need not be jealous of those with different roles than we have; rather we should each submit to God and fulfill His calling on our lives. Miriam's story reminds us that no person is above God's discipline and also that no person is beyond His forgiveness. iriam was the first. It seems that the people, especially the women, looked up to her and followed her. In Miriam we see a faithful sister and a woman who led the people in praising the Lord. We also see a cautionary tale about pride and the importance of submitting to those to whom God has placed in positions of leadership. We need not be jealous of those with different roles than we have; rather we should each submit to God and fulfill His calling on our lives. Miriam's story reminds us that no person is above God's discipline and also that no person is beyond His forgiveness.

UNDERSTAND

• Miriam made sure Moses was taken care of as an infant and that he stayed connected to his Hebrew roots.
• Miriam led in worship and celebration after the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt.
• Miriam faced consequences for challenging Moses' authority, suffering leprosy as a result of her pride.

REFLECT

• How do you relate to Miriam's struggles with pride and humility in your own life?
• In what ways do you see God's discipline and forgiveness reflected in Miriam's story, and how does it influence your understanding of God's character?
• Reflecting on Miriam's role as a prophetess, how do you discern God's calling and leadership in your own life?

ENGAGE

• How does Miriam's story challenge our perceptions of leadership and submission in both religious and secular contexts?
• Discuss the significance of Miriam's role in preserving Moses' identity and heritage and how it relates to the themes of family and community in the Bible.
• How can we apply the lessons from Miriam's life, both positive and cautionary, to our own roles and responsibilities within our communities and relationships?