Miriam מִרְיָם
A descendant of Judah, mentioned in a genealogy.
Who is Miriam in the Bible?
The Bible mentions at least two figures named Miriam. The most prominent is Moses' sister, who played a crucial role in the exodus narrative as recorded in Exodus 2:4 and 15:20. She watched over the infant Moses in his basket of bulrushes, later became known as "the prophetess," and led the Israelite women in song and celebration after they crossed the Red Sea. According to Numbers 12:1-5, Miriam and her brother Aaron challenged Moses' leadership, for which she was struck with leprosy as punishment, though she was later healed through Aaron's intercession. A second Miriam, far less prominent, appears in 1 Chronicles 4:17 as a descendant of Judah and a child of Ezrah, though no further details are provided about her in Scripture. The Miriam of the exodus stands as a significant figure in Israel's liberation story, representing both the faith and leadership of women in God's redemptive plan.
Biography
Miriam is a name that appears in 1Ch.4.17, in the context of a genealogy of the descendants of Judah. She is listed as one of the children of Ezrah, along with Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. No further information is provided about this particular Miriam, and she is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. Her inclusion in the genealogy suggests that she was a recognized member of the tribe of Judah, although her specific role or significance is not elaborated upon in the text.
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Shammai Tribe of JudahSon of OnamSon of Onam; father of Nadab and AbishurView full profile →
- Ishbah Tribe of Judah(?)Son of MeredSon of Mered in the genealogy of JudahView full profile →
- Jered Tribe of Judah(?)Son of MeredSon of Mered, founder of Gedor.View full profile →
- Heber Tribe of Judah(?)Son of MeredSon of Mered, from the tribe of Judah.View full profile →
- Jekuthiel Tribe of Judah(?)Son of MeredSon of Mered, founder of Zanoah.View full profile →
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 4:17
"The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. And Mered’s wife Bithiah gave birth to Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מִרְיָם | Mirjam , the name of two Israelitesses |
Miriam
s she who watched the ark of bulrushes in which the child Moses was laid (Ex 2:4). She associated herself with her brothers in the exodus, is called "the prophetess," and led the choir of maidens who sang the triumph-song after the crossing of the Red Sea (Ex 15:20 f). Along with Aaron, she opposed Moses at Hazeroth (Nu 12:1-5). She was smitten with leprosy in punishment, but on Aaron's intercession was pardoned and healed (Nu 12:10-15). She died and was buried at Kadesh (Nu 20:1). In the Deuteronomic Law respecting leprosy, Miriam is mentioned as a warning to the Israelites (De 24:8 f). In Mic 6:4, she is referred to along with Moses and Aaron as a leader of God's people.
(2) Son (or daughter) of Jether (1Ch 4:17). The latter half of the verse is in its present situation unintelligible; it should probably follow verse 18 (see Curtis, Chronicles, in the place cited.).
John A. Lees
mur'-ma (mirmah, "deceit"): A Benjamite (1Ch 8:10).
mir'er.
See LOOKING-GLASS.
mis'-a-el,