Miriam

Family: Israelites · Role: midwife; sister of Moses · First appears: The Pious Midwives

Miriam was born to Amram and Jochebed as their first child, at the time the Egyptians began to oppress the Hebrews. Her mother named her “Bitterness”; Aaron was born later as her sibling. When Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill newborn boys, Miriam helped Jochebed care for the babies and rebuked Pharaoh. Jochebed calmed his anger, and when the king later sent hangmen for them, God made the two women invisible so they escaped. Together with Jochebed, Miriam defied Pharaoh’s command and kept the newborns alive; no child under their care was born with a blemish.

When Moses was rescued from the water, Miriam brought Jochebed to nurse him, and Thermutis entrusted the child to her care. Moses stayed with his parents and kindred for two years. Miriam later married Caleb, and their union was said to bring forth the royal house of David. After recovering from a grievous sickness, she regained her youth and beauty, and gave birth to Bezalel, the builder of the Tabernacle.