Miriam

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Pronunciations

Miriam (MEER-ee-uhm) listen

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Definitions

  • n. The Biblical sister of Moses and Aaron.

Example Sentences

  • "Miriam acted as a leader during the wanderings in the wilderness; by her merit the Israelites were accompanied on their journeys by the well that bears her name." (source)

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Languages of Origin

  • Textual Hebrew
  • English

Etymology

  • מִרְיָם

      • Who Uses This

      • Religious: Jews who are engaged in religious observance and have some Jewish education
      • Non-Jews: (words that have spread outside of Jewish networks)

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • The JPS Dictionary of Jewish Words, by Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, (Philadelphia, 2001).

Notes

  • See also kos Miriam and Miriam's Well.

    "Miriam watched her brother, the baby Moses, float down the Nile until he was safely rescued by Pharaoh's daughter; she then brought their mother to the palace to serve as Moses’ nurse. During the Exodus from Egypt, after the Israelites safely crossed the parted Sea of Reeds, Miriam led the women in joyful song and 'dance with timbrels.' Along with the matriarchs, Miriam, one of the few female leaders of ancient Israel, is the focal point for many feminist Jewish rituals." (JPS)

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