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.
NIV
Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing.
NASB
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.
CSB
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.
NLT
Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced.
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.
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.
What does Exodus 15:20 mean?
Miriam is the older sister of both Moses and Aaron. She was first mentioned in the account of Moses' infancy (Exodus 2:1–4). However, this is the first mention of her name. During the story of the exodus, Miriam will feature in several key events. She will join Aaron in objecting to Moses' non-Jewish wife (Numbers 12:1) and claiming to also be speaking for God (Numbers 12:2). For this, Miriam will suffer a week of exile with leprosy (Numbers 12:10, 15). However, she played an instrumental role in Israel's liberation (Micah 6:4). Miriam will die and be buried in Kadesh (Numbers 20:1).In addition, Miriam is called a "prophetess:" a female prophet. In the Old Testament, the term "prophet" applies to those who bring messages from God to the people. It does not mean that Miriam predicted any future events. Old Testament Scripture does not distinguish roles between male and female prophets; other prophetesses mentioned by name include Deborah (Judges 4:4) and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14).
Here, Miriam shows a level of authority by leading the Israelite women in singing and dancing. This is part of Israel's celebration (Exodus 15:1) of their recent salvation (Exodus 14:21–29). Her song reflects the song offered by Moses (Exodus 15:1, 21); most likely, the women sang all the words recorded in this passage (Exodus 15:1–18).
