who is miriam

Miriam is a significant biblical figure known as the older sister of Moses and Aaron. She is described in the Hebrew Bible as a prophetess and a leader who played a crucial role in the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt. Miriam first appears in the Book of Exodus, where she watches over the infant Moses and cleverly ensures he is nursed by their mother after Pharaoh's daughter finds him. She is famously known for leading the Israelite women in a song of victory with a tambourine after crossing the Red Sea, earning her the title "Miriam the Prophetess." Her story includes moments of leadership, prophecy, and even a divine punishment for speaking against Moses, reflecting her complex role and importance in the biblical narrative.