Older sister of the patriarch Moses from the tribe of Levi.
About Miriam
A daughter of Amram and Jochebed and the sister of Aaron and Moses (Exodus 15:20; Numbers 26:59; 1 Chronicles 6:3). Miriam first appears in Scripture as a young girl. Her task was to watch her infant brother's cradle, hidden in the reeds of the Nile River (Exodus 2:4). Her parents made a plan (Hebrews 11:23) to escape the pharaoh's command to drown of all Hebrew males at birth (Exodus 1:22). Miriam shows courage, concern, and wisdom when the Egyptian princess finds her brother (Exodus 2:5–6). She takes the initiative and offers to find a nurse for the child. When they accept her plan, she gets her mother (Exodus 2:7–8).
Miriam first appears by name after the Israelites have crossed the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20). She is called a "prophetess" and, along with her brothers, was appointed as a leader of Israel (Micah 6:4). After the Egyptian army drowned in the sea, she led the women of Israel in a song of praise with dancing and musical instruments (Exodus 15:21).
Later, Miriam brought shame upon herself when she became jealous of Moses. Together with Aaron, she complained against Moses because of his greater influence among the people and because he had married a Cushite woman (Numbers 12:1–2). Because of this attack against God's chosen leader, Miriam was struck with leprosy (Numbers 12:10). Moses, however, prayed for her healing (Numbers 12:9–13). She was restored to health, bbut only after spending seven shameful days outside the camp while all of Israel waited to continue their journey (Numbers 12:14–15). This sad event is the last recorded event in Miriam’s public life. She died near the end of the wilderness wanderings at Kadesh and was buried there (Numbers 20:1).
Family Relationships
- Parents
- Amram, Jochebed
- Siblings 2
- Moses, Aaron
- Nieces & Nephews 6
- Gershom, Eliezer, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar (Son of Aaron), Ithamar
- Uncles 6
- Izhar, Hebron, Uzziel, Gershon, Kohath, Merari
- Cousins 22
- Korah, Nepheg, Zichri, Shelomith, Jeriah, Amariah (1 Chronicles 23:19), Jahaziel (1 Chronicles 23:19), Jekameam, Mishael, Elizaphan, Sithri, Micah (1 Chronicles 23:20), Isshiah (1 Chronicles 23:20), Libni, Shimei, Amram, Izhar, Hebron, Uzziel, Mahli, Mushi, Jaaziah
Key References
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.
Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, for he had taken a Cushite wife.
In the first month, the whole congregation of Israel entered the Wilderness of Zin and stayed in Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.
All Scripture References (12)
Exodus (2)
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.
And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.”
Numbers (7)
Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, for he had taken a Cushite wife.
And suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three, come out to the Tent of Meeting.” So the three went out,
and the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the Tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them had stepped forward,
As the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous, white as snow. Aaron turned toward her, saw that she was leprous,
So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until she was brought in again.
In the first month, the whole congregation of Israel entered the Wilderness of Zin and stayed in Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.
and Amram’s wife was named Jochebed. She was also a daughter of Levi, born to Levi in Egypt. To Amram she bore Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam.
Deuteronomy (1)
Remember what the LORD your God did to Miriam on the journey after you came out of Egypt.
1 Chronicles (1)
Micah (1)
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery. I sent Moses before you, as well as Aaron and Miriam.