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People of the Bible
Who Was Miriam?
In short
Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron, and a prophetess in her own right. As a girl she watched over baby Moses hidden in the reeds, and cleverly arranged for his own mother to nurse him.
After God parted the Red Sea, Miriam led the women of Israel in song and dance, praising the God who had triumphed gloriously.
“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 15:21 · King James Version (public domain)
Miriam at a glance
| Name | Miriam |
|---|---|
| Where to read about them | Exodus, Numbers |
| Key passage on this page | Exodus 15:21 |
| Passages linked to that verse | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Scripture explains Scripture. These passages are linked to this one most often by readers.
- Exodus 15:1
- Revelation 15:3
- Revelation 7:10-12
- Revelation 5:9
- Revelation 19:1-6
- Psalms 24:7-10
- 2 Chronicles 5:13
- Judges 5:3
- Psalms 134:1-3
- Isaiah 5:1-30
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where can I read about Miriam in the Bible?
Miriam appears in Exodus, Numbers. Start with the key passage on this page, then read the whole chapter around it.
What other passages sit beside Exodus 15:21?
Readers most often set it next to Exodus 15:1, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 7:10-12, Revelation 5:9.
Why does Miriam matter to Christians today?
Because the story of Miriam is told to point to Christ and to teach us to love one another. Read it as part of the one story of Scripture, not as a stand-alone biography.
Pray this
Jesus, our Shepherd, nothing about Miriam is hidden from you. We bring you Miriam, Exodus, Numbers. Make us people who love one another there. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Three small things you can do this week.
- Read the key passage, Exodus 15:21, aloud once today.
- Write one sentence about what Miriam's story says about God, not only about Miriam.
- Tell one person what you noticed, and ask what Bible story has stayed with them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Nothing here is a finish line. It is one door into a life with Christ and with His people.
Read the story of Miriam
You can read the story of Miriam in Exodus, Numbers on The Living Bread, free, with audio, and with Simon to answer your questions along the way.
