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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/15-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/02_Exo_15_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 15:20 - The Song of Miriam" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Miriam the prophetess, Aaron&#8217s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron [and Moses], took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her with timbrels and dancing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the prophetess Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women came out following her with tambourines and dancing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron&#8217s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with their tambourines and danced.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Miriam the sister of Aaron was a prophet. So she took her tambourine and led the other women out to play their tambourines and to dance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women, dancing with tambourines, followed her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took her tambourine, and all the women followed her, playing tambourines and dancing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand and went out with all the women behind her with tambourines and dancing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron?s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a hand-drum in her hand, and all the women went out after her with hand-drums and with dances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her, with timbrels, and with dances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Miriam the inspired one, sister of Aaron, takes the timbrel in her hand, and all the women go out after her, with timbrels and with choruses;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Miriam the inspired one, sister of Aaron, taketh the timbrel in her hand, and all the women go out after her, with timbrels and with choruses;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, will take the drum in her hand; and all the women will go forth after her, with drums and with lutes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So Mary the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand: and all the women went forth after her with timbrels and with dances: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took up a timbrel in her hand. And all the women followed her with timbrels and dancing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, while all the women went out after her with tambourines, dancing;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with timbrels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Maryam the Prophetess, the sister of Ahron, took tambourines in her hand and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with timbrels.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Mariam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, having taken a timbrel in her hand - then there went forth all the women after her with timbrels and dances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/15-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=3873" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/15.htm">The Song of Miriam</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4813.htm" title="4813: mir·yām (N-proper-fs) -- A sister of Aaron, also a man of Judah. From mriy; rebelliously; Mirjam, the name of two Israelitesses.">Then Miriam</a> <a href="/hebrew/5031.htm" title="5031: han·nə·ḇî·’āh (Art:: N-fs) -- Feminine of nabiy'; a prophetess or inspired woman; by implication, a poetess; by association a prophet's wife.">the prophetess,</a> <a href="/hebrew/175.htm" title="175: ’a·hă·rōn (N-proper-ms) -- An elder brother of Moses. Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses.">Aaron’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/269.htm" title="269: ’ă·ḥō·wṯ (N-fsc) -- Sister. Irregular feminine of 'ach; a sister (like 'Ezrachiy), literally and figuratively).">sister,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wat·tiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">took</a> <a href="/hebrew/8596.htm" title="8596: hat·tōp̄ (Art:: N-ms) -- A timbrel, tambourine. From taphaph contracted; a tambourine.">a tambourine</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏāh (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3fs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">in her hand,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḵāl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and all</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: han·nā·šîm (Art:: N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">the women</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·re·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: wat·tê·ṣe·nā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">followed her</a> <a href="/hebrew/8596.htm" title="8596: bə·ṯup·pîm (Prep-b:: N-mp) -- A timbrel, tambourine. From taphaph contracted; a tambourine.">with tambourines</a> <a href="/hebrew/4246.htm" title="4246: ū·ḇim·ḥō·lōṯ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-fp) -- A dance. Feminine of machashabah; a dance.">and dancing.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/68-25.htm">Psalm 68:25</a></span><br />The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/11-34.htm">Judges 11:34</a></span><br />And when Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing! She was his only child; he had no son or daughter besides her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-6.htm">1 Samuel 18:6</a></span><br />As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/6-14.htm">2 Samuel 6:14-16</a></span><br />And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD, / while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sounding of the ram’s horn. / As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/149-3.htm">Psalm 149:3</a></span><br />Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/150-4.htm">Psalm 150:4</a></span><br />Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-4.htm">Jeremiah 31:4</a></span><br />Again I will build you, and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out in joyful dancing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/15-29.htm">1 Chronicles 15:29</a></span><br />As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-21.htm">2 Chronicles 20:21</a></span><br />Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-29.htm">Isaiah 30:29</a></span><br />You will sing as on the night of a holy festival, and your heart will rejoice like one who walks to the music of a flute, going up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/35-10.htm">Isaiah 35:10</a></span><br />So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-46.htm">Luke 1:46-47</a></span><br />Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, / and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-21.htm">Luke 10:21</a></span><br />At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-8.htm">Acts 3:8</a></span><br />He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25</a></span><br />About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.</p><p class="hdg">prophetess</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/4-4.htm">Judges 4:4</a></b></br> And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/10-5.htm">1 Samuel 10:5</a></b></br> After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where <i>is</i> the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/22-14.htm">2 Kings 22:14</a></b></br> So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.</p><p class="hdg">sister</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/2-4.htm">Exodus 2:4</a></b></br> And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/12-1.htm">Numbers 12:1</a></b></br> And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/20-1.htm">Numbers 20:1</a></b></br> Then came the children of Israel, <i>even</i> the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.</p><p class="hdg">a timbrel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/11-34.htm">Judges 11:34</a></b></br> And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she <i>was his</i> only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/21-21.htm">Judges 21:21</a></b></br> And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/18-6.htm">1 Samuel 18:6</a></b></br> And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/12-50.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/exodus/7-12.htm">Aaron's</a> <a href="/judges/11-34.htm">Choruses</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-4.htm">Dances</a> <a href="/luke/15-25.htm">Dancing</a> <a href="/exodus/14-28.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/exodus/15-12.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/20-7.htm">Inspired</a> <a href="/genesis/4-22.htm">Instrument</a> <a href="/micah/6-4.htm">Miriam</a> <a href="/genesis/31-27.htm">Music</a> <a href="/exodus/7-1.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/revelation/2-20.htm">Prophetess</a> <a href="/exodus/6-23.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/genesis/31-27.htm">Tambour</a> <a href="/genesis/31-27.htm">Tambourine</a> <a href="/genesis/31-27.htm">Tambourines</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-4.htm">Tambours</a> <a href="/genesis/31-27.htm">Timbrel</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-4.htm">Timbrels</a> <a href="/exodus/12-37.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/exodus/28-1.htm">Aaron's</a> <a href="/judges/11-34.htm">Choruses</a> <a href="/judges/11-34.htm">Dances</a> <a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">Dancing</a> <a href="/numbers/14-24.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/exodus/35-34.htm">Inspired</a> <a href="/exodus/20-25.htm">Instrument</a> <a href="/exodus/15-21.htm">Miriam</a> <a href="/judges/5-3.htm">Music</a> <a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/judges/4-4.htm">Prophetess</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-9.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/job/21-12.htm">Tambour</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-5.htm">Tambourine</a> <a href="/judges/11-34.htm">Tambourines</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-5.htm">Tambours</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-5.htm">Timbrel</a> <a href="/judges/11-34.htm">Timbrels</a> <a href="/exodus/35-22.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/15-1.htm">The song of Moses, Miriam, and Israel on their deliverance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/15-22.htm">The people want water in the desert</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/15-23.htm">The waters at Marah are bitter, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/15-24.htm">they murmur, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/15-25.htm">Moses prays, and sweetens the waters by God's direction</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/15-27.htm">They encamp at Elim, where are twelve wells, and seventy palm trees</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then Miriam the prophetess</b><br>Miriam is recognized as a prophetess, indicating her role as a leader and spokesperson for God among the Israelites. This title is significant as it highlights the presence of female leadership in the early biblical narrative. Miriam's prophetic role is further evidenced in <a href="/micah/6-4.htm">Micah 6:4</a>, where she is mentioned alongside Moses and Aaron as a leader of Israel. Her prophetic gift may have included receiving divine messages or leading in worship and praise.<p><b>Aaron’s sister</b><br>Miriam is identified as the sister of Aaron, which also makes her the sister of Moses. This familial connection places her within the central leadership family of the Exodus narrative. Her relationship with Aaron and Moses is significant, as it underscores the unity and shared mission of the siblings in leading the Israelites out of Egypt. This connection is also seen in <a href="/exodus/2-4.htm">Exodus 2:4-8</a>, where Miriam watches over the infant Moses in the Nile.<p><b>took a tambourine in her hand</b><br>The tambourine, or timbrel, was a common percussion instrument in ancient Israel, often used in celebrations and worship. Its use here signifies a moment of joy and victory following the crossing of the Red Sea. The act of taking the tambourine suggests a spontaneous expression of praise and thanksgiving to God for the deliverance from the Egyptians. The tambourine is also associated with prophetic and celebratory contexts in other scriptures, such as <a href="/1_samuel/10-5.htm">1 Samuel 10:5</a> and <a href="/psalms/150-4.htm">Psalm 150:4</a>.<p><b>and all the women followed her</b><br>Miriam's leadership is evident as she leads the women in worship. This communal act of following indicates a shared experience of deliverance and a collective response of gratitude. The participation of all the women highlights the inclusive nature of worship and the role of women in the spiritual life of the community. It also reflects the cultural practice of women leading in song and dance during times of celebration, as seen in <a href="/judges/11-34.htm">Judges 11:34</a> and <a href="/1_samuel/18-6.htm">1 Samuel 18:6</a>.<p><b>with tambourines and dancing</b><br>The use of tambourines and dancing is a traditional expression of joy and celebration in ancient Israelite culture. This scene is reminiscent of other biblical instances where music and dance are used to celebrate God's victories, such as in <a href="/2_samuel/6-14.htm">2 Samuel 6:14-15</a> when David dances before the Ark of the Covenant. The combination of music and movement serves as a powerful expression of worship and acknowledgment of God's mighty acts. This joyful response can be seen as a type of the ultimate victory and celebration found in Christ's triumph over sin and death.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/miriam.htm">Miriam</a></b><br>She is identified as a prophetess and the sister of Aaron and Moses. Miriam plays a significant role in the Exodus account, particularly in leading the women in worship after the crossing of the Red Sea.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a></b><br>Miriam's brother, who serves as the first high priest of Israel. His mention here highlights the familial connection and leadership roles within the Israelite community.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/tambourine_and_dancing.htm">Tambourine and Dancing</a></b><br>These are instruments and expressions of joy and celebration. The use of tambourines and dancing signifies a communal act of worship and thanksgiving to God for deliverance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_women_of_israel.htm">The Women of Israel</a></b><br>They join Miriam in her act of worship, indicating a collective response of gratitude and celebration among the people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_red_sea_crossing.htm">The Red Sea Crossing</a></b><br>This miraculous event is the backdrop for the celebration. It represents God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage and His power over creation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_women_in_worship.htm">The Role of Women in Worship</a></b><br>Miriam's leadership in worship highlights the important role women play in spiritual life and community celebration.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prophetic_leadership.htm">Prophetic Leadership</a></b><br>Miriam is called a prophetess, indicating that God speaks through women as well as men, and they can lead in spiritual matters.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/celebration_of_deliverance.htm">Celebration of Deliverance</a></b><br>The use of music and dance in worship is a biblical expression of joy and gratitude for God's deliverance and blessings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_worship.htm">Community Worship</a></b><br>The collective participation of the women with Miriam underscores the importance of communal worship and shared expressions of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/remembering_god's_acts.htm">Remembering God's Acts</a></b><br>Just as Miriam and the women celebrated God's deliverance, believers today are encouraged to remember and celebrate God's faithfulness in their lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_women_worship_leaders.htm">What does the Bible say about women worship leaders?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_dancing.htm">What does the Bible say about dancing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_the_bible's_prophetesses.htm">Who were the prophetesses mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_miriam_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Miriam in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">Miriam the prophetess.</span>--In Miriam we have the first of that long series of religious women presented to us in Holy Scripture who are not merely pious and God-fearing, but exercise a quasi-ministerial office. Examples of other "prophetesses" will be found in <a href="/judges/4-4.htm" title="And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.">Judges 4:4</a>; <a href="/2_kings/22-14.htm" title="So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelled in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.">2Kings 22:14</a>; <a href="/isaiah/8-3.htm" title="And I went to the prophetess; and she conceived, and bore a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.">Isaiah 8:3</a>; <a href="/luke/2-36.htm" title="And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;">Luke 2:36</a>. In the early Christian Church there was an order of "deaconesses (<a href="/romans/16-1.htm" title="I commend to you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:">Romans 16:1</a>; <span class= "ital">Apost. Const., </span>vi. 17). The office of "prophetess" seems to have been permitted to women in Egypt, though that of "priestess" was, until Ptolemaic times, forbidden them.<p><span class= "bld">The sister of Aaron.</span>--She is called "sister of Aaron," rather than of Moses, because Aaron was the head of the family (<a href="/exodus/6-20.htm" title="And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.">Exodus 6:20</a>; <a href="/exodus/7-7.htm" title="And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.">Exodus 7:7</a>). There is no reasonable doubt that she was the sister who kept watch on Moses when he was in the ark of bulrushes (<a href="/context/exodus/2-3.htm" title="And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.">Exodus 2:3-8</a>). On her later history, see <a href="/context/numbers/12-1.htm" title="And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.">Numbers 12:1-15</a>. The prophet Micah regarded her as having had a part in the work of Israel's deliverance (<a href="/micah/6-4.htm" title="For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of servants; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.">Micah 6:4</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Miriam, the prophetess</span>. Miriam is regarded by the prophet <a href="/micah/6-4.htm">Micah 6:4</a>, as having had a share in the deliverance of Israel, and claims the prophetic gift in <a href="/numbers/12-2.htm">Numbers 12:2</a>. Her claim appears to be allowed both in the present passage, and in <a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Numbers 12:6-8</a>. where the degree of her inspiration is placed below that of Moses. She is the first woman whom the Bible honours with the title of "prophetess." Prophetesses were common in Egypt at a much earlier date; and thus, that a woman should have the gift would have seemed no strange thing to the Hebrews. For examples of other prophetesses, see <a href="/judges/4-4.htm">Judges 4:4</a>; <a href="/2_kings/22-14.htm">2 Kings 22:14</a>; <a href="/isaiah/8-3.htm">Isaiah 8:3</a>; <a href="/luke/2-36.htm">Luke 2:36</a>. <span class="cmt_word">The sister of Aaron</span>. Compare <a href="/numbers/26-59.htm">Numbers 26:59</a>. Miriam is generally regarded as the sister of Moses mentioned in <a href="/exodus/2-4.htm">Exodus 2:4-8</a>, whose name is not there given. If so, she was considerably older than either Moses or Aaron. Took a timbrel By "a timbrel" our translators meant what is now called "a tambourine." Such instruments were common in Egypt (Wilkinson, Ancient Egyptians, vol. 1. p. 93), and in the representations are generally played by women. The separation of the men and women into distinct bands was an Egyptian custom; as likewise was the execution of dances by performers who accompanied their steps with music (<span class="accented">ibid.</span> vol. it. pp. 235, 301). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/15-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then Miriam</span><br /><span class="heb">מִרְיָ֨ם</span> <span class="translit">(mir·yām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4813.htm">Strong's 4813: </a> </span><span class="str2">Miriam -- a sister of Aaron, also a man of Judah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the prophetess,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנְּבִיאָ֜ה</span> <span class="translit">(han·nə·ḇî·’āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5031.htm">Strong's 5031: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prophetess, inspired woman, a poetess, a, prophet's wife</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Aaron’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אַהֲרֹ֛ן</span> <span class="translit">(’a·hă·rōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sister,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲח֧וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḥō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_269.htm">Strong's 269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sister -- a sister</span><br /><br /><span class="word">took</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתִּקַּח֩</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a tambourine</span><br /><span class="heb">הַתֹּ֖ף</span> <span class="translit">(hat·tōp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8596.htm">Strong's 8596: </a> </span><span class="str2">A timbrel, tambourine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in her hand,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיָדָ֑הּ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yā·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the women</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנָּשִׁים֙</span> <span class="translit">(han·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">followed her</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֵּצֶ֤אןָ</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tê·ṣe·nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with tambourines</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּתֻפִּ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯup·pîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8596.htm">Strong's 8596: </a> </span><span class="str2">A timbrel, tambourine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and dancing.</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבִמְחֹלֹֽת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇim·ḥō·lōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4246.htm">Strong's 4246: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dance</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">OT Law: Exodus 15:20 Miriam the prophetess the sister of Aaron (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/15-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 15:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 15:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/15-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 15:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 15:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>