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Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary

Exodus 15:20

Miriam the prophetess; so called, either in a general sense, because she was an instructer of other women in the praise and service of God; or in a more special sense, because she had the Spirit of prophecy. See Numbers 12:2 Micah 6:4. The sister of Aaron Quest. Why not of Moses also? Answ.

1. She might be Moses's sister only by one parent, Aaron's by both.

2. She was best known to the people by her relation to Aaron, with whom she had lived for many years, when Moses was banished. With timbrels and with dances, according to their ancient custom in public solemnities. See Judges 11:34, Judges 21:21 1 Samuel 18:6 2 Samuel 6:14,21 Jer 31:4,13.

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See also Exodus 15:20 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Exodus 15:20. _AND MIRIAM THE PROPHETESS_] We have already seen that Miriam was _older_ than either Moses or Aaron: for when Moses was exposed on the Nile, she was a young girl capable of manag...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    AND MIRIAM THE PROPHETESS - The part here assigned to Miriam and the women of Israel is in accordance both with Egyptian and Hebrew customs. The men are represented as singing the hymn in chorus, unde...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    7. THE SONG OF REDEMPTION CHAPTER 15:1-21 _ 1. Jehovah acknowledged and praised (Exodus 15:1)_ 2. The victory celebrated as His victory (Exodus 15:3) 3. His holiness praised (Exodus 15:11) 4. His

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE SONG OF TRIUMPH (Exodus 15:1 J, Exodus 15:2 ( PSALM), Exodus 15:19 R, Exodus 15:20 F. E). The oldest undoubtedly genuine fragments of H

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    MIRIAM. Hebrew form of Mary. PROPHETESS. First occurance. A. the. TIMBRELS. drum. Hebrew. _toph,_ rendered "tabret "(Genesis 31:27. 1Sa 10:5. 1 Samuel 18:6; 2 Samuel 6:5.

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    MIRIAM THE PROPHETESS— Μαριαμ in the Greek, in the Latin _Maria,_ from the Hebrew word מרה _marah, bitterness._ She was so called, say some, from the times of affliction and bitterness, (Exodus 1:14.)...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    THE TEXT OF EXODUS TRANSLATION 15THEN SANG MO-SES AND THE CHILDREN OF IS-RA-EL THIS SONG UNTO JE-HO-VAH, AND SPAKE, SAYING, I will sing unto Je-ho-vah, for he hath triumphed gloriously: The horse an...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole 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._ Miriam the prophetess - so called from her receiving...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    15:20 dances. (b-27) Dance choirs....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE SONG OF MOSES On the further shore of the Red Sea the Israelites celebrate their deliverance in a magnificent hymn of praise. It consists of three strophes or stanzas of increasing length, viz. Ex...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    MIRIAM THE PROPHETESS] the sister of Moses: see on Exodus 2:1. As Aaron was the elder of the two brothers, she is here described as his sister. On the meaning of the term 'prophet' see on Exodus 7:1;...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    EXODUS: ISRAEL BECOMES A NATION THE *ISRAELITES LEAVE EGYPT EXODUS CHAPTER S 1 TO 18 _HILDA BRIGHT AND KITTY PRIDE_ CHAPTER 15 MOSES AND MIRIAM SING A SONG – VERSES 1-18 V1 Then Moses and the...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    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...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    וַ תִּקַּח֩ מִרְיָ֨ם הַ נְּבִיאָ֜ה אֲחֹ֧ות אַ

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    MARAH'S WATERS SWEETENED; ELIM'S REST Exodus 15:19 How rapid are the transitions of life! Today the song of victory, tomorrow the bitter wells of Marah, and the next the shadow of Elim's palms! One m...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    It was a great and glorious song thatrose on the morning air on the far side of the sea. A study of it will reveal it to be a song of the King. It was a high ecstatic moment of national consciousness....

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    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 (k) dances. (k) Signifying their great joy: a custom the Jews o...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    Mary, or Mariam, as it was formerly pronounced, though the Masorets now read Miriam: may signify one "exalted, lady, star, bitterness of the sea." --- Prophetess; having revelations from God, (Numbers...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Miriam, an Old Testament name, is the same as Mary in the New. As in fasting, all mourn, see Joel 2:16, so in praising should all partake. It was a common thing in the Church, in after ages, so to cel...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    There is hardly a book of the Old Testament that stands out in more decided contrast with the book of Genesis than the one which follows it most closely. And this is the more striking, because God emp...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    20._And Miriam the prophetess. _Moses here introduces in his song the ἀντιστροφὴ, such as were constantly used by the lyric poets. For God would have not only men to be the proclaimers of this great m...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Hereupon we enter the desert. They sing (chap. 15) the song of triumph. God has led them by His power to His holy habitation. But they are on this journey, not in Canaan. He will lead them into the pl...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    AND MIRIAM THE PROPHETESS, THE SISTER OF AARON,.... The same, it is highly probable, that is called the sister of Moses, Exodus 2:3, her name Miriam is the same as Mary with us, and signifies bitterne...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    _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._ Ver. 20. _And Miriam._] Souls have no sexes: and if s...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Miriam the prophetess_ So called, either in a general sense, because she was an instructer of other women in the praise and service of God, or in a more special sense, because she had the spirit of p...

  • KJV Original Language Details

    1 Moses song. 22 The people want water. 23 The waters at Marah are bitter. 25 A tree sweetneth them. 27 At Elim are twelue wels, and seuentie palme trees. 1 THEN sang [NOTE: Genesis 1:20.] Moses a...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE LORD SENDS QUAILS AND MANNA...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE SONG OF MIRIAM...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses, they again became guilty of stubborn disobedience; BUT SOME OF THEM LEFT OF IT UNTIL THE MORNING, AND IT BRED WORMS AND STANK; the tiny maggots that deve...

  • Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures

    B. THE SONG OF TRIUMPH Exo 15:1-21 1Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto Jehovah, and said: I will sing unto Jehovah, for he is highly exalted; The horse and his rider hath he...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    THE SONG OF SALVATION (vs.1-19) This is the first song found in scripture, and a most fitting response to the greatness of God's victory in delivering His people. It is an expression of joy in the Lo...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-21 This song is the most ancient we know of. It is a holy song, to the honour of God, to exalt his name, and celebrate his praise, and his only, not in the least to magnify any man. Holiness to the...

  • Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh

    This chapter opens with Israel's magnificent song of triumph on the shore of the Red Sea, when they had seen "that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians." They had seen God's salvation, and...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Exodus 15:20 Miriam H4813 prophetess H5031 sister H269 Aaron H175 took H3947 (H8799) timbrel H8596 hand H3027 women...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    Exodus 15 THE AFTERMATH OF THE BATTLE BETWEEN YAHWEH AND PHARAOH'S ARMY. As a result of Egypt's defeat a song was composed. There is no good reason for denying that it was written at the time. Songs o...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Exodus 15:1. _Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Exodus 15:1. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: The song of the redeemed. CHARACTERS: God, Moses, Miriam. CONCLUSION: Those who love God triumph in His triumphs and what is His honor is their joy. Our first thought should be to give glo...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Exodus 15:1. _Then sang Moses._ The Israelites sang in companies; and the one company often answered the other. See Bishop Lowth on the Hebrew Poetry. Also Psalms 68:25; Ecclesiastes 2:8;...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _With timbrels and with dances._ SONG, TIMBREL, AND DANCE The monuments reproduce this scene in all its parts. Separate choirs of men and women are represented on them, singing in alternate responses...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CRITICAL NOTES.— Exodus 15:1. This Song.]—In order fully to appreciate the exquisite beauties of this Song, several conditions must be observed; among them we may name the following:— (1.) The exist...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION THE SONG OF MOSES. Full of gratitude, joy, and happiness—burning with a desire to vent in devotional utterance of the most fitting kind, his intense and almost ecstatic feelings, Moses, who...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    So Moses broke forth in song. Chapter fifteen is actually the song of Moses, of God's deliverance and victory. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and they spake, sayin...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    prophetess Judges 4:4 1 Samuel 10:5 2 Kings 22:14 Luke 2:36 Acts 21:9...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE SEVEN MARYS Exodus 15:20 INTRODUCTORY WORDS There are six Marys spoken of in the New Testament, and there is one outstanding Mary in the Old Testament. The six in the New Testament, in the order...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    FAITH AS EXEMPLIFIED IN MOSES Selections from Exodus 3:1; Exodus 6:1; Exodus 7:1; Exodus 8:1;...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Miriam (or Mary, it is the same name) presided in an assembly of the women, who (according to the common usage of those times) with timbrels and dances, sung this song. Moses led the psalm, and gave i...

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