Jan 11 Sat
Is it Mary or Miriam?
Our Mother Mary was the woman chosen by God to be the Mother of His Son, the Savior of the world. Her story is one of courage, faith, and obedience—a life central to To comprehend her role as Jesus’ Mother fully, it helps to look beyond the familiar name of “Mary” and rediscover her identity, as “Miriam.”
Miriam’s Hebrew name roots her in the history and Covenant promises of Israel. It connects her to her people’s struggles and the hope embodied in the prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. We, Christians, may say that the Old Testament is like the “cradle or crib” where Jesus was laid after being born.
While some question whether Mary and Miriam are the same name, there are linguistic and historical factors we need to consider.
The New Testament was written in Greek, and many names were translated or transliterated from Hebrew or Aramaic into Greek. The Hebrew name “Miriam” became Miryam or Maryam in Aramaic.
Jesus and his contemporaries spoke Aramaic, a language closely related to Hebrew. The Gospels use the form Maria, which then became Mary in English. Since Greek female names often end in -a/-ah, that is likely how Maryam became Marya.
The name “Miriam” was prominent in the land of the Bible, and it is not surprising that several women were named Mary/Maryam/Miriam in Jesus’ circles. It confirms the popularity of the name among Jewish women of the time.
Interestingly, while the Western churches use the name Mary or Maria for the mother of Jesus, the Eastern Orthodox Church still often refers to her as “Miriam” in their liturgy.
To understand the depth of Mary’s identity, we must go to the meaning her name. Her Hebrew name was Miriam (מִרְיָם), the same name as that of Moses’ sister, a woman who played a pivotal role in Israel’s deliverance during the Exodus.
Thus, this name carries layers of meaning tied to the story of Israel and God’s redeeming plan. Scholars often debate its precise etymology, but there are two primary interpretations:
- “Rebellion” or “Bitterness”: Derived from the Hebrew root מרר (marar), meaning “to be bitter,” the name reflects the suffering and struggles of the Jewish people, and hence, of Mary. Being Immaculate, Mary is the radical rebellion against the slavery of the devil, and sin.
- “Beloved” or “Exalted” (Lady, Señora): Another understanding ties the name to the Egyptian root mry or mr, meaning “beloved” or “love.” This suggests God’s favor and His redemptive promises materialized in her.
This duality –bitterness and beloved– captures the essence of both Miriams. They carried the weight of struggle while pointing toward redemption, making the name a perfect reflection of their roles in God’s story. At the same time, the angel Gabriel called her “Most blessed or loved by God”.
Others have interpreted it as: "Star of the sea" (Latin origin), or "Wished-for child" (Hebrew origin)
On the other hand, about "Mother," what Jesus said on the cross is ‘emmi’ (pronounced EM-mee), which is literally "my mother." The word for "mother" is emma and the –i suffix functions as "my."
Excerpts from Joseph Goodenough
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