Exodus 15:20

“And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, etc.] The same, it is highly probable, that is called the sister of Moses, (<020203>Exodus 2:3,4,7,8), her name Miriam is the same as Mary with us, and signifies bitterness; and, as the Hebrews f481 observe, had it from the bitterness of the times, and the afflictions the Israelites endured and groaned under when she was born; which is a much more probable signification and reason of her name than what is given by others, that it is the same with Marjam, which signifies a drop of the sea; from whence, they fancy, came the story of Venus, and her name of Aphrodite, the froth of the sea: Miriam was a prophetess, and so called, not from this…”

“Miriam the prophetess--so called from her receiving divine revelations (Num 12:1; Mic 6:4), but in this instance principally from her being eminently skilled in music, and in this sense the word "prophecy" is sometimes used in Scripture (Ch1 25:1; Co1 11:5). took a timbrel--or "tabret"--a musical instrument in the form of a hoop, edged round with rings or pieces of brass to make a jingling noise and covered over with tightened parchment like a drum. It was beat with the fingers, and corresponds to our tambourine. all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances--We shall understand this by attending to the modern customs of the East, where the dance--a slow, grave, and solemn…”

“And Miriam the prophetess - The part here assigned to Miriam and the women of Israel is in accordance both with Egyptian and Hebrew customs. The men are represented as singing the hymn in chorus, under the guidance of Moses; at each interval Miriam and the women sang the refrain, marking the time with the timbrel, and with the measured rhythmical movements always associated with solemn festivities. Compare Judges 11:34; 2 Samuel 6:5, and marginal references. The word used in this passage for the timbrel is Egyptian, and judging from its etymology and the figures which are joined with it in the inscriptions, it was probably the round instrument. Miriam is called a prophetess, evidently…”

“Miriam (or Mary, it is the same name) presided in an assembly of the women, who (according to the common usage of those times) with timbrels and dances, sung this song. Moses led the psalm, and gave it out for the men, and then Miriam for the women. Famous victories were wont to be applauded by the daughters of Israel, Sa1 18:6-7, so was this. When God brought Israel out of Egypt, it is said, Mic 6:4, he sent before them Moses, Aaron, and Miriam; though we read not of any thing remarkable that Miriam did but this. But those are to be reckoned great blessings to a people, that go before them in praising God. Exodus 15:21”

“prophetess: Jdg 4:4; Sa1 10:5; Kg2 22:14; Luk 2:36; Act 21:9; Co1 11:5, Co1 14:34 sister: Exo 2:4; Num 12:1, Num 20:1, Num 26:59; Mic 6:4 a timbrel: Toph, in Arabic called duff or diff, and in Spanish adduffa, is the tabret used in the East; being a thin, broad, wooden hoop, with parchment extended over one side of it, to which small pieces of brass, tin, etc., are attached, which make a jingling noise. it is held up with one hand and beaten upon with the other, and is precisely the same as the tambourine. all the: Jdg 11:34, Jdg 21:21; Sa1 18:6; Sa2 6:5, Sa2 6:14, Sa2 6:16; Psa 68:11, Psa 68:25, Psa 81:2, Psa 149:3; Psa 150:4 Exodus 15:21”