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 12:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 12:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, Miriam was closed outside the camp for seven days, but the people did not get up from that place until she was brought back.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Since it was like that Miriam had to stay outside the camp for seven days. As long as she had not been brought back, the people did not move on from there.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So Miriam was-caused-to-come-out of the camp for a period/[lit. inside] of seven days. The people did- not -continue in traveling until Miriam was-able-to-return to the camp.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So they sent her outside the camp for seven days. The people/We did not move to another location until she returned.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Numbers 12:15

So Miriam was shut up outside the camp seven days: See the comments on the previous verse.

And the people did not set out on the march till Miriam was brought in again: This sentence implies that the cloud of the LORD did not move either until Miriam returned to the camp. The lesson of her act of rebellion would have to sink in for a week. For the Hebrew verb rendered set out on the march, see the comments on 2.9.

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 .