THE STORY OF MIRIAM
Miriam means ‘prophetess’ or ‘lady’

Miriam was a leader of the Hebrew people during the Exodus, the great founding event of Judaism.

Miriam saved her brother Moses. This well-known story shows that the survival of the leader of the Exodus, Moses, depended on the courage and ingenuity of one young woman, his sister Miriam.

The song of Miriam. This fragment of the Song of Miriam is one of the oldest poetic couplets in the Old Testament. It is an example of a literary genre devoted to celebrating military victories with triumphal poems.

Miriam’s ordeal. This story is about the authority of established law. Moses was the great lawgiver of the Hebrew people. Moses’ legislation formed the basis of Hebrew life. The story acknowledged that Miriam and Aaron were both popular leaders, but they were bound by the Law, represented by Moses.

Miriam’s death. Miriam died in a waterless place in the wilderness, but God subsequently caused water to appear there.