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.

◄ Exodus 15:20 ►

New International Version
Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing.

New Living Translation
Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced.

English Standard Version
Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
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.

NASB 1977
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.

Legacy Standard Bible
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.

Amplified Bible
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.

Christian Standard Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with their tambourines and danced.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
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.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women, dancing with tambourines, followed her.

Good News Translation
The prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took her tambourine, and all the women followed her, playing tambourines and dancing.

International Standard Version
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.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.

NET Bible
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.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
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.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
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;

Young's Literal Translation
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;

Smith's Literal Translation
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.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
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:

Catholic Public Domain Version
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.

New American Bible
Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, while all the women went out after her with tambourines, dancing;

New Revised Standard Version
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.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
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.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
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.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Song of Miriam
20Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. 21And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Psalm 68:25
The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines.

Judges 11:34
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.

1 Samuel 18:6
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.

2 Samuel 6:14-16
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.

Psalm 149:3
Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.

Psalm 150:4
Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute.

Jeremiah 31:4
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.

1 Chronicles 15:29
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.

2 Chronicles 20:21
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.”

Isaiah 30:29
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.

Isaiah 35:10
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.

Luke 1:46-47
Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, / and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

Luke 10:21
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.

Acts 3:8
He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God.

Acts 16:25
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Treasury of Scripture

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.

prophetess

Judges 4:4
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

1 Samuel 10:5
After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is 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:

2 Kings 22:14
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.

sister

Exodus 2:4
And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

Numbers 12:1
And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.

Numbers 20:1
Then came the children of Israel, even 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.

a timbrel.

Judges 11:34
And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.

Judges 21:21
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.

1 Samuel 18:6
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.

Jump to Previous

Aaron Aaron's Choruses Dances Dancing Followed Hand Inspired Instrument Miriam Music Prophet Prophetess Sister Tambour Tambourine Tambourines Tambours Timbrel Timbrels Women

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Aaron Aaron's Choruses Dances Dancing Followed Hand Inspired Instrument Miriam Music Prophet Prophetess Sister Tambour Tambourine Tambourines Tambours Timbrel Timbrels Women

Exodus 15

1. The song of Moses, Miriam, and Israel on their deliverance
22. The people want water in the desert
23. The waters at Marah are bitter,
24. they murmur,
25. Moses prays, and sweetens the waters by God's direction
27. They encamp at Elim, where are twelve wells, and seventy palm trees

Berean Study Bible

Then Miriam the prophetess
Miriam is introduced here as a "prophetess," a title that signifies her role as a spokesperson for God. The Hebrew word for prophetess, "נְבִיאָה" (nevi'ah), indicates that she was endowed with the Spirit of God to convey His messages. Miriam's role as a prophetess is significant in the context of the Exodus narrative, as it highlights the inclusion and importance of women in God's plan. Historically, Miriam is recognized as the sister of Moses and Aaron, and her leadership is evident throughout the journey of the Israelites. Her prophetic role underscores the theme of divine guidance and revelation.

Aaron’s sister
This phrase establishes Miriam's familial connection to Aaron, the first high priest of Israel, and Moses, the leader of the Exodus. The mention of Aaron here emphasizes the priestly and prophetic lineage within their family. It also highlights the unity and cooperation among the siblings in leading the Israelites. In the broader scriptural context, this familial relationship is crucial, as it shows how God often works through families to accomplish His purposes.

took a tambourine in her hand
The tambourine, or "תֹּף" (tof) in Hebrew, was a common musical instrument in ancient Israel, often used in celebrations and worship. Miriam's act of taking the tambourine signifies a spontaneous expression of joy and gratitude for God's deliverance. The use of musical instruments in worship is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing the harmonious praise of God by His people. This act of worship through music reflects the cultural and religious practices of the time, where music played a vital role in communal and spiritual life.

and all the women followed her
This phrase indicates that Miriam's leadership was recognized and respected among the women of Israel. Her leading the women in song and dance demonstrates the communal aspect of worship and the shared experience of God's deliverance. The participation of all the women highlights the collective response of the community to God's mighty acts. It also underscores the role of women in the spiritual life of Israel, as they join together in a unified expression of faith and thanksgiving.

with tambourines and dancing
The use of tambourines and dancing in this context is a powerful expression of joy and celebration. Dancing, or "מָחוֹל" (machol) in Hebrew, was a customary way to express joy and gratitude in ancient Israel. This communal dance is an embodiment of the Israelites' relief and jubilation after their miraculous escape from Egypt. The combination of music and dance in worship is a testament to the holistic nature of praise, engaging both body and spirit in the adoration of God. This scene serves as an inspirational reminder of the joy that comes from experiencing God's salvation and the importance of expressing that joy in community.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) Miriam the prophetess.--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 Judges 4:4; 2Kings 22:14; Isaiah 8:3; Luke 2:36. In the early Christian Church there was an order of "deaconesses (Romans 16:1; Apost. Const., 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.

The sister of Aaron.--She is called "sister of Aaron," rather than of Moses, because Aaron was the head of the family (Exodus 6:20; Exodus 7:7). There is no reasonable doubt that she was the sister who kept watch on Moses when he was in the ark of bulrushes (Exodus 2:3-8). On her later history, see Numbers 12:1-15. The prophet Micah regarded her as having had a part in the work of Israel's deliverance (Micah 6:4). . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. - Miriam, the prophetess. Miriam is regarded by the prophet Micah 6:4, as having had a share in the deliverance of Israel, and claims the prophetic gift in Numbers 12:2. Her claim appears to be allowed both in the present passage, and in Numbers 12:6-8. 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 Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14; Isaiah 8:3; Luke 2:36. The sister of Aaron. Compare Numbers 26:59. Miriam is generally regarded as the sister of Moses mentioned in Exodus 2:4-8, 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 (ibid. vol. it. pp. 235, 301).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then Miriam
מִרְיָ֨ם (mir·yām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4813: Miriam -- a sister of Aaron, also a man of Judah

the prophetess,
הַנְּבִיאָ֜ה (han·nə·ḇî·’āh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5031: A prophetess, inspired woman, a poetess, a, prophet's wife

Aaron’s
אַהֲרֹ֛ן (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

sister,
אֲח֧וֹת (’ă·ḥō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister

took
וַתִּקַּח֩ (wat·tiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a tambourine
הַתֹּ֖ף (hat·tōp̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8596: A timbrel, tambourine

in her hand,
בְּיָדָ֑הּ (bə·yā·ḏāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

and all
כָֽל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the women
הַנָּשִׁים֙ (han·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

followed her
וַתֵּצֶ֤אןָ (wat·tê·ṣe·nā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

with tambourines
בְּתֻפִּ֖ים (bə·ṯup·pîm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8596: A timbrel, tambourine

and dancing.
וּבִמְחֹלֹֽת׃ (ū·ḇim·ḥō·lōṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4246: A dance

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OT Law: Exodus 15:20 Miriam the prophetess the sister of Aaron (Exo. Ex)