First Glance

“If Pharaoh had recognized the power of women,” says Phyllis Trible, “he might well have reversed his decree and had daughters killed rather than sons.” However, as the Bible relates, thanks to the intervention of Moses’ sister Miriam, the future of one Hebrew baby is made secure.

The initiator of the Exodus story, Miriam also ends it, claims Trible in “Bringing Miriam Out of the Shadows.” Once the Hebrews have safely crossed the Reed Sea, the “Song of the Sea” (Exodus 15) is sung in praise of God. Moses sings first, then Miriam. However, this version isn’t the original, contends Trible. It was Miriam who led the people in song; but, later, biblical editors took the words out of her mouth and put them in Moses’ instead.

In a fascinating and eloquent exposé of patriarchal interpretation of the Exodus story, Trible lets us hear Miriam’s voice clearly in the books of Exodus and Numbers, with echoes in several other biblical books. It is the voice of a leader who played a key role in the Exodus story.