The Women of Exodus: Miriam
In Exodus 15, Miriam leads the people of Israel in worship after YHWH delivers them through the sea. She is often depicted in art with her tambourine, as Exodus 15:20 describes. She leads the people in singing a call and response, “Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted,” and the people respond with “I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted.” Old Testament scholar Desmond Alexander believes it is likely that Miriam composed the song. He additionally notes that the placement of Miriam’s contribution to the song after the event creates bookends with the beginning of the story, highlighting the essential role of women in the deliverance of the Hebrew people from oppression. The text assigns her the title of “prophetess” at this point because her song foretells God’s sanctuary in the Promised Land.
In Exodus 15, Miriam leads the people of Israel in worship after YHWH delivers them through the sea. She is often depicted in art with her tambourine, as Exodus 15:20 describes. She leads the people in singing a call and response, “Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted,” and the people respond with “I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted.” Old Testament scholar Desmond Alexander believes it is likely that Miriam composed the song. He additionally notes that the placement of Miriam’s contribution to the song after the event creates bookends with the beginning of the story, highlighting the essential role of women in the deliverance of the Hebrew people from oppression. The text assigns her the title of “prophetess” at this point because her song foretells God’s sanctuary in the Promised Land.
Title of Art: Miriam Leading the Israelites in Worship
Subjects: Miriam
Ritual Pose/Object: tambourine
Artist: Lorenzo Ghiberti
Art Form: Sculpture
Date of Composition: Between 1425 and 1452
Event: Women of Exodus
Exhibit Institution: Original: Baptistry of St. John/ Current: Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
Exhibit Location: Florence, Itaky
VM Image #: 231
Photographer: Kirstyn Wright
Date of Photograph: January 6, 2026
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