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).
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)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 12:5:
Kupsabiny: “Then God came down in a cloud that stood like a pillar and stopped by the entrance to that Tent and he called Aaron and Miriam. And when they had been called, they went there.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Then the LORD, came down in a pillar of cloud and, standing at the entrance to the tent, summoned Aaron and Miriam. Both of them went forward.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Then the LORD came-down/descended through a cloud that seemed-like a pillar and stood at the entrance/door of the Meeting-Together-Place Tent and called Aaron and Miriam. When- the two -came-near,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Then Yahweh descended to the entrance of the tent in a cloud that resembled a huge white pillar. He told Aaron and Miriam to step forward, so they did.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
And the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud: See 11.25. A pillar of cloud means a cloud the size and shape of a pillar or column, but not a solid object. This phrase may be rendered “a cloud in the form of a pillar” or “a cloud that looked like a pillar [of smoke].” In cultures where “pillars” or “columns” are unknown, translators may say “a thick cloud” or even “a tall, tree-like cloud.” Since the Hebrew has no definite article on the word for pillar, there is no indication whether this pillar of cloud has been mentioned before (compare Exo 13.21).
And stood at the door of the tent: It may be necessary to clarify that it was the pillar of cloud that stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle. The translation should not imply that the LORD himself was somehow visible there. For the door of the tent, see the comments on 6.10.
And called Aaron and Miriam: It was the LORD who called out to Aaron and Miriam, presumably from inside the cloud.
And they both came forward: Aaron and Miriam stepped forward in response to the LORD’s call.
Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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