Miriam

By the River

The book of Numbers records: “The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. She bore to Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister” (Num 26:59).

At that time Pharaoh commanded, “You shall cast every son who is born into the river” (Exod 1:22). A woman of the house of Levi bore a son and hid him three months; when she could no longer hide him, she put the child in a papyrus basket and “laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank” (Exod 2:3). “His sister stood far off, to see what would be done to him” (Exod 2:4). This passage does not give her name.

Pharaoh’s daughter saw the basket and opened it, and “She had compassion on him” (Exod 2:6). His sister said to her, “Should I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” (Exod 2:7). “Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Go.’ The young woman went and called the child’s mother” (Exod 2:8). The child grew, and Pharaoh’s daughter named him Moses (Exod 2:10). These things are in Lesson 1.

By the Sea

Later, the LORD sent Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. After they had crossed the sea, “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” (Exod 15:20). “Miriam answered them, ‘Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously. He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea’” (Exod 15:21). These things are in Lesson 2.

In the Wilderness

On the way through the wilderness, the people stayed at Hazeroth (Num 11:35). “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married” (Num 12:1). “They said, ‘Has the LORD indeed spoken only with Moses? Hasn’t he spoken also with us?’ And the LORD heard it” (Num 12:2). The LORD called the three of them to the Tent of Meeting, and said to Aaron and Miriam, “Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?” (Num 12:8).

“Miriam was leprous, as white as snow” (Num 12:10). “Moses cried to the LORD, saying, ‘Heal her, God, I beg you!’” (Num 12:13). The LORD said she was to be shut up outside the camp seven days, “and after that she shall be brought in again” (Num 12:14). “Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days, and the people didn’t travel until Miriam was brought in again” (Num 12:15). These things are in Lesson 3.

Later, “The children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month. The people stayed in Kadesh. Miriam died there, and was buried there” (Num 20:1).