Miriam

Miriam is one of the most remarkable women in the Hebrew Bible — a prophetess, worship leader, and co-deliverer of Israel alongside her brothers Moses and Aaron. Her story begins when she was still a girl: it was Miriam who watched over the basket containing baby Moses as it floated on the Nile, and Miriam who had the quick wit and courage to approach Pharaoh's daughter and suggest a Hebrew nurse — their own mother — to care for the child. Without Miriam's initiative, the story of the Exodus might never have begun.

After the crossing of the Red Sea, Miriam's role as prophetess and worship leader burst into full view. She took a tambourine, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing as she sang: "Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea" (Ex 15:21). This Song of Miriam is considered by many scholars to be one of the oldest poetic fragments in the entire Bible. She led Israel in its first great act of corporate worship after liberation.

Miriam was not without flaws. She and Aaron spoke against Moses because of his Cushite wife, and God struck Miriam with leprosy — though Moses immediately interceded for her healing, and after seven days she was restored. When Miriam died at Kadesh and was buried there, the people of Israel had no water — a connection the rabbis interpreted as evidence that a miraculous well had accompanied Israel through the desert because of Miriam's merit. In Catholic tradition, the prophet Micah confirms her status: "I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam" (Mic 6:4) — three leaders, equal in their divine mission.