Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 20. Mary, or Mariam, as it was formerly pronounced, though the Masorets now read Miriam: may signify one “exalted, lady, star, bitterness of the sea.”—Prophetess; having revelations from God, (Numbers 12:1,) and singing his praises.—Of Aaron. Moses passes over himself out of modesty. She is known by this title, whence it is supposed she never married. Saint Ambrose Calmet.—Timbrels, which were already used in solemn worship.—And dances. Choris may mean companies of women, singing and dancing in honour of God. The men repeated what Moses had entoned, and the women did the same after Mary; unless, perhaps, the multitude of both sexes, respectively, repeated only the first verse by way of chorus; or Mary and her band took up each verse “in answer” to the men, as the Hebrew insinuates. This divine canticle will afford joy even to the elect. Revelation 15:3.