Miriam

An Old Testament prophet and poet. She was the sister of Moses and Aaron. As a young girl, she looked after the baby Moses when he was hidden in a basket on the Nile River to save his life. As an adult, Miriam joined Moses and Aaron on the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. After escaping from the Egyptians in the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, Miriam composed a song of praise to the Lord and led the other women in celebrating the victory. But Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses for choosing a wife they didn’t think was suitable. For this unwise criticism Miriam was cursed with leprosy. But Moses prayed for her, and God said Miriam would have to stay outside the camp for seven days until she was cured.