מִרְיָם
mir.yam
Miriam
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word מִרְיָם (mir.yam) is a proper name that carries significant importance in the Bible. It is found 14 times in the text, indicating its importance in the narratives. Miriam is a female given name, used as a personal identifier for a prominent figure. The name Miriam likely holds meaning related to "bitter waters" or "sea," derived directly from the word parts (water/mar and/or bitter/sea). Although the origin of the name's meaning is explicitly tied to these root components, the root itself isn't the actual given name. Miriam's semantic domain is limited to a personal proper name, highlighting its unique identity in Hebrew culture. As a personal name, Miriam's significance lies in her association with the biblical narrative, particularly with her roles in the story of Moses and the Israelites. The 14 occurrences of this name show its prominence in these events and establish Miriam as a key figure within the biblical account.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
14 total occurrences across the text
For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage. I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
Exodus 15:20Miriam 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.
Exodus 15:21Miriam answered them, “Sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”
Numbers 12:1Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman.
Numbers 12:4Yahweh spoke suddenly to Moses, to Aaron, and to Miriam, “You three come out to the Tent of Meeting!” The three of them came out.
Numbers 12:5Yahweh came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forward.
Numbers 12:10The cloud departed from over the Tent; and behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. Aaron looked at Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.
Numbers 12:10The cloud departed from over the Tent; and behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. Aaron looked at Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.
Numbers 12:15Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days, and the people didn’t travel until Miriam was brought in again.
Numbers 12:15Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days, and the people didn’t travel until Miriam was brought in again.
Numbers 20:1The 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.
Numbers 26:59The 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.
Deuteronomy 24:9Remember what Yahweh your God did to Miriam, by the way as you came out of Egypt.
1 Chronicles 6:3The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.