Exodus 15:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Moses and the children of Israel sang, just as Miriam the prophetess and the women of Israel did. Similarly, we, both men and women, join in song with our spirit and our bodies. The apostle teaches that those who belong to Christ have put to death the flesh along with its desires and cravings (Galatians 5:24). The tambourine that Miriam used for her song symbolizes this crucifixion of the flesh, a truth recognized by all. To create a tambourine, animal skin is stretched over wood; in this way, it is from the cross, the place where the Lord was crucified, that we come to acknowledge the beautiful gift of grace.

The basis for this belief is presented by the prophetess Miriam, who, after crossing the sea, took up a dry and resonant timbrel and began to sing in the presence of the women. It may be that Scripture symbolically refers to the purity that Miriam first experienced, which I believe foreshadows the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Just as a dry timbrel, devoid of any moisture, produces a clear and powerful sound, so too does purity, which does not permit any worldly distractions in this life, resonate with clarity and reach far and wide.

Consider Miriam the prophetess. When did she deliver prophecies? Or is she referred to as a prophetess in Scripture, similar to the wife of Isaiah (Isaiah 8:3), even if she did not prophesy and was merely a virtuous spouse? On that day, the people were split into two groups to sing a fitting song to the One who parted the sea on that day and submerged its adversaries.

Oh, if you could gaze upon your sister and hear her speak from her sacred lips, you would recognize a profound spirit dwelling in a humble frame. You would discern the essence of the Old and New Testament flowing from her very soul. For her, fasting is a lighthearted endeavor, while prayer is a source of joy. She takes up the tambourine, much like Miriam did after Pharaoh's defeat, and joins the chorus of maidens to proclaim, ‘We sing to the Lord, for he is glorified: he casts horse and rider into the sea’ (Exodus 15:20). These songs, learned for the sake of Christ, resonate for the Creator. Thus, she dedicates her days and nights; the oil for the lamps is prepared as she anticipates the bridegroom’s arrival. Follow the example of your sister.

And Mary, having grasped the tambourine, led the choir with modesty fitting for a virgin (Ex. 15:20). But ponder whose likeness she represented at that moment. Was this virgin not a reflection of the Church, which, with a pure spirit, gathered the faithful into harmonious praise of God? We also read of selected virgins within the temple in Jerusalem. Yet what does the Apostle convey? All these events occurred as examples for us, meant to serve as a future reminder (1 Cor. 10:11); for the representation lies in the few, while the life abounds in the multitude.

In ancient history, women participated in prophesying, including Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, followed by Deborah (See Judg. 4:4), then Oldamah (See 4 Sam. 22:14) and Judith (See Judg. 8:11), one ministering during the reign of Josiah and another during Darius's time. The mother of our Lord also proclaimed prophetic messages, along with her relative Elizabeth and Anna (See Luke 1:46; Luke 2:38). In recent times, Philip's daughters engaged in prophecy as well (See Acts 21:9), yet they did not position themselves above men but maintained their humility.

This title resembles a prophetic declaration; it represents redemption for the regenerate, symbolizes purity, serves as a testament of modesty, and signifies innocence. It is an offering to the Lord, embodies the essence of hospitality, and reflects a richness of sanctity. Rightly, it has come to signify the name of the Mother of Christ.

The practice of female choirs echoing the melodies of male singers traces back to ancient times and continues among certain tribes in Asia. In ancient Egypt, representations of women's choirs can be found on monuments. This tradition was also prevalent among the Jewish people, as noted in 1 Chronicles 18 and 2 Chronicles 6. It is likely that the term tympanum refers to a tambourine, as mentioned by Cook in his reference to Brugesch. Miriam is recognized as a prophetess, likely because she experienced divine revelations, as she herself claims in Numbers 12:2.