When Miriam’s Well Runs Dry: Death, Thirst, and the Bitterness of Israel in Num 20:1–2

Abstract

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The abrupt juxtaposition of Miriam’s death and the subsequent water crisis in Num 20:1–2 invites deeper reflection on the narrative and theological significance of her role in Israel’s wilderness journey. While the biblical text provides a succinct account, the immediate onset of thirst among the Israelites suggests a profound connection between her presence and divine sustenance. This article explores the literary and theological dimensions of Miriam’s role, arguing that her death disrupts the delicate balance of Israel’s survival in the desert. Through the exegetical analysis of Num 20:1–2, this study examines the syntactical continuity that binds Miriam’s passing with the ensuing crisis. It revisits her leadership in Num 12, where her challenge to Moses highlights the complexity of wilderness leadership. Furthermore, the article engages with rabbinic interpretations that identify Miriam as Israel’s well, emphasizing the theological implications of her absence. By synthesizing biblical narrative, linguistic analysis, and Jewish exegetical traditions, this study argues that Miriam’s presence embodies Israel’s dependence on divine provision. Her death, and the drying up of water that follows, expose the fragility of both leadership and faith in the wilderness. In doing so, the article underscores how—while somehow building on the biblical text—rabbinic interpretations portray Miriam as a pivotal mediator of divine grace, whose absence precipitates a crisis of both thirst and identity.