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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Miriam {H4813} the prophetess {H5031}, the sister {H269} of Aaron {H175}, took {H3947} a timbrel {H8596} in her hand {H3027}; and all the women {H802} went out {H3318} after {H310} her with timbrels {H8596} and with dances {H4246}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Also Miryam the prophet, sister of Aharon, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines, dancing,

Berean Standard Bible

Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 15:20 captures a pivotal moment of communal worship and exuberant celebration following God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage and their triumphant passage through the Red Sea. It vividly portrays Miriam, identified as a prophetess and sister of Aaron, taking initiative to lead all the women in a spontaneous outpouring of praise through music and dance, signifying profound gratitude and awe for the Lord's mighty acts of salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the epic "Song of Moses and the Israelites" (Exodus 15:1-19), a magnificent hymn of praise celebrating the Lord's decisive victory over Pharaoh and his army. The song, a divinely inspired poetic response, recounts God's power in parting the Red Sea and utterly destroying the pursuing Egyptian forces. Miriam's actions in verse 20 serve as the communal, physical culmination of this spiritual outpouring, transitioning from the verbal praise of the men to the embodied celebration of the women. It signifies that the entire community, in all its facets, participated in this momentous expression of gratitude and worship, demonstrating a holistic and unified response to divine intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, music, singing, and dancing were integral components of celebration, particularly after significant military victories or acts of divine intervention. These expressions were not merely entertainment but deeply spiritual and communal acts of thanksgiving and worship. The use of "timbrels" (a type of hand drum or tambourine) was common in such festivities, often accompanying processions or dances. Miriam's leadership here is significant, as it highlights the active and prominent role women could play in public worship and celebration within early Israelite society, especially after a collective experience of divine deliverance, such as the [Red Sea crossing where God triumphed gloriously](/exodus/14-28 "Exodus 14:28 - Egyptian Army Drowned"). Her identification as a "prophetess" further elevates her status, indicating a divinely recognized spiritual authority.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 15:20 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Exodus and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Deliverance and Salvation**, showcasing the Israelites' ecstatic response to God's mighty act of saving them from Pharaoh's army. Secondly, it highlights **Worship as a Holistic Response**, demonstrating that genuine praise involves the entire being—mind, emotion, and body—expressed through music and dance. Thirdly, it emphasizes the theme of **Spiritual Leadership**, particularly the prominent role of Miriam as a prophetess, affirming that God raises up leaders from various segments of His people, as seen in other instances of women exercising spiritual authority, such as [Deborah in Judges 4](/judges/4 "Judges 4 - Deborah, Judge and Prophetess"). Lastly, it reinforces the theme of **Communal Celebration**, illustrating the unified joy and thanksgiving of the entire Israelite community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prophetess (Hebrew, _nᵉbîyʼâh'_):** This term (נְבִיאָה, H5031) is the feminine form of _navi_ (prophet), signifying someone who speaks for God, receives divine revelation, or communicates God's will. Miriam is the first woman in the Bible explicitly given this title, underscoring her unique spiritual authority and direct connection to God's message and plan for Israel, placing her in a position of significant leadership alongside Moses and Aaron.
* **Timbrel (Hebrew, _tôph'_):** The Hebrew word _tof_ (תֹּף, H8596) refers to a hand drum, often described as a tambourine or frame drum, typically made of a wooden frame with a stretched animal skin, sometimes with jingles. This instrument was widely used in ancient Israel for celebrations, processions, and worship, providing rhythmic accompaniment for singing and dancing. Its presence here indicates a joyful, percussive, and uninhibited form of worship.
* **Dances (Hebrew, _mᵉchôlâh'_):** The term _mᵉcholot_ (מְחֹלֹת, H4246) denotes a communal, often circular, dance, typically performed in celebration or worship. Unlike modern performance-oriented dance, ancient Israelite dance was a participatory and expressive act, a physical manifestation of joy, gratitude, and spiritual fervor. Its inclusion here emphasizes the holistic and embodied nature of the Israelites' response to God's salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron,"**: This clause introduces Miriam with significant titles, establishing her identity and authority. "Prophetess" highlights her spiritual role and divine calling, while "sister of Aaron" (and by extension, Moses) places her within the leading family of Israel, underscoring her prominent position within the community.
* **"took a timbrel in her hand;"**: This action signifies Miriam's initiative and leadership. By taking the timbrel, she publicly signals the commencement of a musical and celebratory response, inviting others to join. The timbrel itself is a symbol of joy and celebration, indicating a spontaneous and heartfelt outpouring of praise.
* **"and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances."**: This final clause describes the communal, widespread, and enthusiastic response to Miriam's lead. "All the women" indicates a collective, unified expression of worship. Their participation "with timbrels and with dances" demonstrates a spontaneous, uninhibited, and physically expressive outpouring of gratitude and praise for God's mighty deliverance, embodying the joy and awe of the moment.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 15:20 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The verse utilizes **Imagery** to paint a vivid picture of spontaneous, joyful worship, allowing the reader to almost hear the rhythmic beat of the timbrels and see the women dancing in celebration. The description of "all the women" going out "after her" illustrates **Leadership by Example**, with Miriam initiating the worship and the community following suit, demonstrating her significant influence and the infectious nature of true praise. Furthermore, the **Symbolism** of the timbrels and dances is profound; they are not merely instruments or movements but represent the unbridled joy, gratitude, and spiritual release that comes from experiencing divine salvation. The collective action also highlights a form of **Communal Response**, emphasizing the unified and shared experience of God's deliverance and the resulting corporate worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 15:20 is a profound theological statement on the nature of worship and divine deliverance. It showcases that genuine worship is not merely a solemn obligation but can be a spontaneous, joyful, and physically expressive response to God's mighty acts. The passage affirms the active and prominent role of women in spiritual leadership and communal worship within Israel, challenging any notion that such roles were exclusively for men. It also underscores the principle that God's salvation evokes an overwhelming sense of gratitude that compels His people to praise Him with their whole being, demonstrating that worship is a holistic and embodied act.

* [Psalm 150:4](/psalms/150-4 "Psalm 150:4 - Praise with Timbrel and Dance")
* [Judges 4:4](/judges/4-4 "Judges 4:4 - Deborah, a Prophetess and Judge")
* [2 Samuel 6:14](/2_samuel/6-14 "2 Samuel 6:14 - David Dancing Before the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 15:20 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that worship can and should be a vibrant, holistic, and expressive response to God's goodness and deliverance in our lives. Just as the Israelites responded with uninhibited joy to their physical salvation, we are called to express heartfelt gratitude for our spiritual deliverance through Christ. This passage validates diverse forms of worship, encouraging us to embrace music, dance, and other artistic expressions as legitimate and powerful ways to glorify God, rather than confining worship to rigid or solely intellectual forms. Moreover, Miriam's example challenges us to recognize and affirm gifted spiritual leadership in all its forms, including that of women, acknowledging that God equips whomever He chooses for His purposes. It invites us to consider how we, individually and communally, can more fully and joyfully celebrate God's ongoing work in our world, allowing our whole being to participate in praise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the spontaneous and physical nature of worship in Exodus 15:20 challenge or expand your understanding of true worship?**
* **In what ways can you more fully express gratitude and joy to God for His deliverance in your own life?**
* **How does Miriam's role as a prophetess and leader influence your perspective on the diverse forms of leadership God uses within His people?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Miriam being called a "prophetess"?**

Answer: Miriam's designation as "the prophetess" (Hebrew: _nᵉbîyʼâh_) is highly significant because it marks her as the first woman in the Bible to receive this title. This indicates that she was someone through whom God communicated, a recipient of divine revelation, and a speaker for God. Her prophetic role signifies a recognized spiritual authority and leadership position within Israel, placing her alongside Moses and Aaron as a key figure in the nation's early history. It underscores that God bestows spiritual gifts and leadership roles upon both men and women, as seen later with figures like [Deborah, another prophetess and judge in Israel](/judges/4-4 "Judges 4:4 - Deborah's Prophetic and Judicial Role").

**Why were timbrels and dances used in this celebration?**

Answer: Timbrels (a type of hand drum or tambourine) and dances were common elements of celebration and worship in the ancient Near East. Their use in Exodus 15:20 signifies a spontaneous, uninhibited, and physically expressive outpouring of joy and gratitude. The rhythmic beat of the timbrels provided accompaniment, while the communal dances allowed the women to physically embody their profound relief and elation at God's miraculous deliverance from the Egyptian army. This demonstrates that worship is not limited to solemnity but can involve the entire being—spirit, emotion, and body—in a vibrant expression of praise, much like [King David later danced with all his might before the Lord](/2_samuel/6-14 "2 Samuel 6:14 - David's Enthusiastic Worship").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 15:20, with its vibrant celebration of deliverance, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and eternal salvation found in Jesus Christ. The Israelites' liberation from Egyptian bondage, a type of slavery, points to humanity's greater bondage to sin and death, from which Christ delivers us. Miriam's prophetic leadership and the women's joyful dance anticipate the new song of the redeemed, sung by those who have been set free by the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The Red Sea crossing, a passage through judgment to new life, is a powerful type of baptism, symbolizing our union with Christ in His death and resurrection, leading to a [new life of freedom](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - United with Christ in Death and Resurrection"). The Spirit-empowered celebration led by Miriam, a prophetess, points to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant, enabling all believers—men and women—to [prophesy, worship, and express their joy in Christ](/acts/2-17-18 "Acts 2:17-18 - Outpouring of the Spirit on All Flesh"). The ultimate fulfillment of this exuberant praise awaits the day when the redeemed of all nations will stand before the throne, singing the [song of Moses and the Lamb](/revelation/15-3 "Revelation 15:3 - Song of Moses and the Lamb"), celebrating God's final victory over all evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 150:4

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

1 Samuel 18:6

¶ And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.

Judges 11:34

And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she [was his] only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.

Psalms 68:25

The singers went before, the players on instruments [followed] after; among [them were] the damsels playing with timbrels.

Numbers 26:59

And the name of Amram's wife [was] Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom [her mother] bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.

Micah 6:4

For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

Judges 4:4

¶ And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.