This page is about the biblical figure and sister of Moses. For other meanings of the word Miriam, please see Miriam (disambiguation)

Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron, and the daughter of Amram and Jochebed. She appears first in the book of Exodus in the Hebrew Bible.

It was Miriam who, at Jochebed's request, hid Moses (then a baby) by the side of a river to evade the Pharaoh's order that newborn Hebrew boys be killed. She watched as the Pharaoh's daughter discovered the infant and decided to adopt him. Miriam then suggested that the princess take on a nurse for the child, and suggested Jochebed; as a result, Moses was raised to be familiar with his background as a Hebrew.

Miriam is called a prophetess, and composed a victory song after Pharaoh's army was drowned in the Red Sea. (Exodus 15:20-21) Later, however, she objected to the marriage of Moses and a Cushite (i.e. black) woman (who might or might not be identical to Zipporah). For this, she was struck white with tzaraas; she was healed a week later after Aaron asked Moses to intercede for her. (Numbers 12)

Her Hebrew name (מִרְיָם, Standard Hebrew Miryam, Tiberian Hebrew Miryām) means either "wished for child", "bitter" or "rebellious". It was very widespread among later Jews, and this is the original source of the names Mary, Marie and Maria.

Miriam is a popular figure among some Jewish feminists. Some place a "Cup of Miriam," filled with water, beside the customary "Cup of Elijah" (filled with wine) during the Passover Seder.

Mary the mother of Jesus was called Maryam in her own tongue.