| 20. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative begins with the vav consecutive vattiqach {וַתִּקַּח֩ | va-tiqqāḥ} indicating continuation of the Exodus song’s action. The phrase miryam hanneviah {מִרְיָ֨ם הַנְּבִיאָ֜ה | miryām han-neviʾāh} “Miriam the prophetess” emphasizes her inspired leadership role. The construct achot aharon {אֲח֧וֹת אַהֲרֹ֛ן | ʾăḥôt ʾaharōn} specifies her familial relation. The object et-hatof be-yadah {אֶת־הַתֹּף בְּיָדָ֑הּ | ʾet-haṯōp bə-yādāh} places focus on the musical instrument as a symbol of worship. The coordinated clause vat-tetseʾnā kol-han-nashim achareha {וַתֵּצֶ֤אנָ כָֽל־הַנָּשִׁים֙ אַחֲרֶ֔יהָ | vat-tetseʾnā kol-han-nāšîm ʾaḥarehā} portrays collective movement following her lead, reinforced by the parallel instrumental phrase be-tuppim u-vimcholot {בְּתֻפִּים וּבִמְחֹלֹֽת | bə-tuppîm u-bim-ḥôlôt}, which underscores the celebratory worship through music and dance. |