Miriam

The name “Miriam” or “Abataza” means “bitterness,” “rebellion” and “star of the sea.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In some Semitic languages, the transliteration for “Miriam” is identical to “Mary,” testifying to the fact that these names are identical (Arabic and the many translations that are reliant on Arabic: مَرْيَم, Hebrew: מִרְיָם, Ge’ez / Amharic and related languages: ማርያም).

It is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “tambourine” referring to Exodus 15:20. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Miriam” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

The following is part of an artwork by Indian-German artist Lucy D’Souza-Krone (b. 1949):

“D’Souza’s painting of Miriam dancing at the river is one of a series of ‘Biblical Women’ reproduced as the 1990 Lenten veil of Misereor, Germany. Miriam, the prophetess and sister of Moses and Aaron, celebrated the liberation of her people from their Egyptian oppressors. Her dance was supported by other women who joined with her in an act of celebration. Writing of the story the artist adds that ‘water is a predominant element in the scene reminding us also of the physical hardship facing women in India as they often have to walk many miles for a pot of water.'” (Source for this and the image: The Bible Through Asian Eyes by Masao Takenaka and Ron O’Grady 1991)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Miriam .

complete verse (Numbers 12:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 12:1:

  • Kupsabiny: “Moses had married a girl who hailed from the land of Cush. Miriam and Aaron opposed Moses because of that.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Moses married a Cushite woman. By reason of that woman, Miriam and Aaron began to criticize him.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Now, Miriam and Aaron spoke-bad-thing-against Moises because he had-married the one-who-comes-from-Etiopia.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Moses’/My older sister Miriam and his/my older brother Aaron were saying this: ‘Is Moses the only one to whom Yahweh has spoken messages to tell to us ? Does Yahweh not speak messages to us two also?’ They told people that they were saying that because Moses/I had married a woman who was a descendant of the Cush people-group, but they were really saying that because they were jealous/did not want Moses/me to be the only leader of the Israeli people. But Yahweh heard what they were saying.” (Source: Translation for Translators)