Exodus 15:20-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 15:19-21

Sequel to the Song . The "sequel" treats of two quite separate masters. 1 . It asserts, in verse 19, the historic groundwork of the song, reiterating in a condensed form the three principal facts of the presage—already recorded in ch. 14.— (a) Israel's safe transit across the sea-bed; (b) the pursuit attempted by the Egyptian chariot-force; end (c) the return of the waters upon the pursuers by God's providential action. 2 . It relates, in verses 20 and 21, the part taken... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 15:20

Miriam, the prophetess . Miriam is regarded by the prophet Micah 6:4 , as having had a share in the deliverance of Israel, and claims the prophetic gift in Numbers 12:2 . Her claim appears to be allowed both in the present passage, and in Numbers 12:6-8 . where the degree of her inspiration is placed below that of Moses. She is the first woman whom the Bible honours with the title of "prophetess." Prophetesses were common in Egypt at a much earlier date; and thus, that a woman should... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 15:20-21

The aid which devout women can reader to the Church. There are religions which exclude women from consideration altogether, express a doubt whether they have souls, and assign them no special Church work. But Judaism did not make this mistake, it utilised the services of women— I. AS PROPHETESSES . Miriam was a prophetess. So was Deborah, whose song is one of the most beautiful compositions in the Bible ( 5:2-31 ). So was Huldah, who delivered God's message to Hezekiah ( 2 Kings... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 15:20-21

Woman's part in the song of triumph. In the history of Israel, we are called on to observe woman coming forward, not continuously, but every now and then, to show how real is her share in the lot of Israel She has had that share in suffering , being consumed with anxiety as to the fate of her offspring. ( Exodus 1:1-22 .) She has had it in ministration ,—Jochebed, Miriam and Pharaoh's daughter, being combined in the work—un-conscious ministration towards the fitting of Moses for his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 15:21

Miriam answered them. Miriam, with her chorus of women, answered the chorus of men, responding at the termination of each stanza or separate part of the ode with the refrain, "Sing ye to the Lord," etc. (See the "Introduction" to this chapter.) While responding, the female chorus both danced and struck their tambourines. This use of dancing in a religious ceremonial, so contrary to Western ideas of decorum, is quite consonant with Oriental practice, both ancient and modern. Other examples... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 15:20

And Miriam the prophetess - The part here assigned to Miriam and the women of Israel is in accordance both with Egyptian and Hebrew customs. The men are represented as singing the hymn in chorus, under the guidance of Moses; at each interval Miriam and the women sang the refrain, marking the time with the timbrel, and with the measured rhythmical movements always associated with solemn festivities. Compare Judges 11:34; 2 Samuel 6:5, and marginal references. The word used in this passage for... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 15:20-21

Exodus 15:20-21. Miriam the prophetess So called, either in a general sense, because she was an instructer of other women in the praise and service of God, or in a more special sense, because she had the spirit of prophecy, Numbers 12:2; Micah 6:4. Miriam (or Mary, for it is the same name) now presided in an assembly of the women, who, according to the common usage of those times, with timbrels and dances, sung this song. Moses led the sacred song, and gave it out for the men, and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 15:1-21

Click image for full-size versionMoses’ victory song (15:1-21)The song that Moses and the people sang was more than just a song of rejoicing over a fallen enemy. It was above all a song of praise to God, whose character the people had come to know better in the events of their deliverance from Egypt. He was a God of power who saved his people and overthrew their enemies, a God of terrible majesty and holiness who so directed the forces of nature that arrogant, rebellious people were destroyed... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Exodus 15:20

Miriam . Hebrew form of Mary. prophetess . First occurance. a = the. timbrels = drum. Hebrew. toph, rendered "tabret "(Genesis 31:27 . 1Sa 10:5 ; 1 Samuel 18:6 . 2 Samuel 6:5 .Isaiah 5:12 ; Isaiah 24:8 ; Isaiah 30:32 .Jeremiah 31:4 .Ezekiel 28:13; Ezekiel 28:13 ), "timbre]. "(Exodus 15:20 . Judges 11:34 . 2 Samuel 6:5 . 2 Samuel 6:1 Ch. Exodus 13:8 . Job 21:12 .Psalms 81:2 ; Psalms 149:3 ; Psalms 150:4 ). Note the journeyings , at the extremes; with the six ascents and descents of Moses,... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 15:20

"And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out with her with timbrels and with dances."Miriam is the first woman mentioned in the Bible as a "prophetess," and this was because she was endowed with the gift of prophecy. What a preposterous statement on this is the affirmation that "she was endowed with the gift of ecstatic utterance!"[42]; Numbers 12:6-8 reveals that her inspiration was of a degree less than that of Moses, which also may... read more

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