Exodus 15:20 kjv
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.
Exodus 15:20 nkjv
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.
Exodus 15:20 niv
Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron's sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing.
Exodus 15:20 esv
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.
Exodus 15:20 nlt
Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced.
Exodus 15 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jdg 4:4 | Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel... | Another female prophetess and leader. |
| 2 Kgs 22:14 | ...and they went to Huldah the prophetess... | Further example of a respected prophetess. |
| Neh 6:14 | Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their deeds, and also Noadiah the prophetess... | Another mentioned prophetess. |
| Lk 2:36 | There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher... | New Testament example of a prophetess. |
| Acts 2:17-18 | ...your sons and your daughters shall prophesy... | Prophecy for all genders in the Spirit. |
| Psa 68:25 | The singers go in front, the musicians after them, with virgins playing tambourines. | Music, women, and worship in procession. |
| Psa 149:3 | Let them praise His name with dancing; let them make melody to Him with tambourine and lyre! | Explicit call to praise with dance and music. |
| Psa 150:4 | Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with strings and pipe! | Tambourine and dance as instruments of praise. |
| Jdg 11:34 | Then Jephthah came to Mizpah, to his house, and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances! | Celebration with music and dance after victory. |
| 1 Sam 18:6-7 | As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing... | Women celebrating military victory with song and dance. |
| 2 Sam 6:14 | And David danced before the Lord with all his might. | Leadership engaging in joyous dance worship. |
| Jer 31:4 | Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with your tambourines and shall go forth in the dances of those who make merry. | Future restoration includes joyous dance and music. |
| Mic 6:4 | For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. | Miriam is listed as a co-leader alongside Moses and Aaron. |
| Num 12:1-2 | Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses... "Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?" | Shows Miriam's recognized prophetic role, but also limits. |
| Num 12:4-8 | God rebukes Miriam and Aaron, distinguishing Moses' unique prophetic status. | Defines limits of Miriam's prophetic authority relative to Moses. |
| Ex 15:1-19 | Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the Lord... | Context of the preceding Song of the Sea sung by men. |
| Rev 15:3 | And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying... | Echoes the triumph and worship of Ex 15 in final victory. |
| Isa 30:29 | You shall have a song as in the night when a holy feast is kept, and gladness of heart, as when one sets out to the sound of the flute to go to the mountain of the Lord, to the Rock of Israel. | Joyful music in praise of God. |
| Psa 81:2 | Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp. | Specific call to use the tambourine in worship. |
| Isa 5:12 | They have lyre and harp, tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts, but they do not regard the deeds of the Lord... | Contrasts secular revelry with appropriate worship. |
| Psa 106:12 | Then they believed His words; they sang His praise. | The consequence of God's deliverance: belief and praise. |
Exodus 15 verses
Exodus 15 20 Meaning
Exodus 15:20 describes Miriam, identified as a prophetess and the sister of Aaron, initiating and leading the Israelite women in a vibrant, communal celebration of praise and worship. Immediately following their miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea, the women joined her with tambourines and dancing, expressing their profound joy and gratitude for Yahweh's decisive victory over their oppressors. This verse captures a moment of spontaneous, Spirit-inspired thanksgiving and collective affirmation of God's salvific power.
Exodus 15 20 Context
Exodus 15:20 immediately follows the Song of the Sea (Ex 15:1-19), a poetic and theological declaration of Yahweh's victory and Israel's salvation, sung primarily by Moses and the men. The preceding verses vividly describe God's miraculous intervention, dividing the Red Sea to allow Israel to cross on dry ground and then closing the waters to drown Pharaoh's pursuing army. The moment is one of unparalleled divine deliverance and national triumph. Miriam's actions are the communal response to this profound experience, transforming fear and uncertainty into overwhelming joy, gratitude, and worship expressed through music and dance. The setting is on the shore of the Red Sea, a definitive marker of their escape from Egyptian bondage.
Exodus 15 20 Word analysis
- Miriam (מִרְיָם - Miryam): The elder sister of Moses and Aaron. Her name likely relates to 'bitter' (from Egyptian 'mr' - beloved, or Hebrew root 'marar' - to be bitter), possibly referencing the bitterness of slavery or ironically, her triumph over it. This is the first mention of her name in Exodus since chapter 2 where she watched over baby Moses. Her immediate identification as a "prophetess" highlights her distinct role in this crucial moment of Israelite history.
- the prophetess (הַנְּבִיאָה - hann'vīʾâ): The feminine definite article 'the' preceding 'prophetess' emphasizes her recognized spiritual status. A prophetess is a divinely inspired woman who speaks on behalf of God, receives revelation, and guides His people. Her leadership in worship underscores the spiritual nature of the event, distinct from a mere cultural celebration. This designation marks her as the first woman in the Bible to be explicitly called a "prophetess."
- Aaron's sister: This familial link grounds Miriam's identity within the respected lineage of Israel's emerging leadership. It identifies her clearly within the foundational family of the Levitical priesthood and civil authority, emphasizing her integrated, not isolated, role in Israelite life.
- took a tambourine (תֹּף - tof): A handheld drum, typically with jingles, widely used in the ancient Near East for celebratory occasions, victory processions, and religious festivities. Taking it "in her hand" indicates direct, active initiation and participation. The tambourine symbolizes joyous music and festive revelry, signifying the intense celebration and unbridled happiness of the moment.
- in her hand: Indicates a purposeful and immediate act of leading, demonstrating her initiative and the readiness to participate in worship.
- and all the women (הַנָּשִׁים - hannāšîm): The definite article "all the" highlights the complete and unanimous participation of the female population. It was a universal outpouring of praise, demonstrating that worship was a corporate and communal activity involving all members of the congregation.
- went out after her: This phrase underscores Miriam's leadership and the responsive action of the women. She initiated, and they followed, forming a joyous procession. This mirrors Moses leading the men in song, creating a complete and balanced worship response from the entire assembly.
- with tambourines (בְּתֻפִּים - bətuppîm): The plural form indicates that many women brought and played tambourines, contributing to a loud and boisterous sound of praise. This signifies a coordinated and rich musical expression.
- and dancing (וּבִמְחֹלֹת - ûvim'ḥōlōṯ): From the root meaning to whirl or twist. Refers to rhythmic, celebratory movements, often involving a round dance or specific steps. Dance, alongside music, was a natural and common physical expression of intense emotion—here, profound joy, thanksgiving, and exultation for God's saving act. It signifies an embodied worship experience, involving the whole person.
Exodus 15 20 Bonus section
- Miriam's immediate leadership in worship, especially in light of the Red Sea deliverance, establishes a significant biblical precedent for the involvement and leadership of women in Spirit-empowered acts of worship and celebration of God's victory.
- This spontaneous outbreak of praise underscores the transformative power of a direct encounter with God's salvation. It moves the people from fear to faith, and then to joyous worship, demonstrating the appropriate human response to divine intervention.
- The parallel expressions of song by Moses and the men (Ex 15:1-19) and the instrumental dance by Miriam and the women highlight a complete and holistic community worship, encompassing both verbal declaration and embodied celebration.
- This passage stands in contrast to chaotic or pagan celebrations, as it is distinctly focused on the worship of Yahweh, emphasizing reverent joy for divine salvation.
Exodus 15 20 Commentary
Exodus 15:20 vividly portrays a profound and spontaneous overflow of worship by the Israelite community, specifically the women, in direct response to Yahweh's overwhelming act of deliverance at the Red Sea. Miriam, uniquely identified as "the prophetess," leads this response, highlighting that true worship is often a divinely inspired and Spirit-empowered act, and can arise from varied forms of leadership, including women. The use of tambourines and dancing signifies that praise to God is a full-bodied, joyous, and unreserved expression of gratitude. It's a spontaneous demonstration that reflects a heart utterly overwhelmed by God's power and grace, celebrating freedom and victory. This verse offers a foundational example of corporate, expressive worship in response to divine revelation and salvation, serving as a blueprint for celebratory praise throughout scripture. It shows how the arts (music and dance) can be powerful tools for expressing spiritual joy and solidarity in faith.