Keluaran 12:38

12:38 A mixed multitude ¹  also went up with them, and flocks and herds – a very large number of cattle. ² 

Keluaran 15:20

15:20 Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a hand-drum in her hand, and all the women went out after her with hand-drums and with dances. ³ 

[12:38]  ¹ tn The “mixed multitude” (עֵרֶב רַב, ’erev rav) refers to a great “swarm” (see a possible cognate in 8:21[17]) of folk who joined the Israelites, people who were impressed by the defeat of Egypt, who came to faith, or who just wanted to escape Egypt (maybe slaves or descendants of the Hyksos). The expression prepares for later references to riffraff who came along.

[12:38]  ² tn Heb “and very much cattle.”

[15:20]  ³ sn See J. N. Easton, “Dancing in the Old Testament,” ExpTim 86 (1975): 136-40.