OutlawBibleStudent.org. His name means "Help of my God" in Hebrew. She also seems to be angry because of the circumcision requirement, pointing to the possibility that her and Moses may have had a conversation and possibly an argument about it, ending in her refusal to allow it. All rights reserved. By performing the rite, Zipporah had recovered her husband; his life was purchased for her by the blood of her child. In the Bible, Zipporah is called two things. We can also safely conclude that Zipporah opposed the circumcision of her son. He had previously carried out the ceremony for one of them (note that Zipporah only had to circumcise one of them to quell Gods wrath) but not for the other. Approach the text as if you are reading it for the first time. This is supported by a midrash (Jewish interpretation) in the Book of Jasher (Sepir Ha Yasher) 79:8-12 (which is not the authentic Book of Jasher mentioned in the Old Testament). Circumcision was only one of the hundreds of laws that God demanded be obeyed. It was then that she said, A bridegroom of blood, because of the circumcision. (http://www.esvbible.org/Exodus+4/) The portion of the text from which this passage comes yields several questions about the purpose of Zipporahs actions, whose life she was actually saving, the meaning of the phrase bridegroom of blood and what the overall situation symbolizes in relation to the entire text. The bride (the church) is restored to her bridegroom (Jesus) by shedding of blood.10, There is a detailed study on this subject of circumcision from ancient to modern times in an article titled Circumcision in the Bible: What was it really all about? (New American Standard translation) . Yes, yes. This is actually a topic that is debated often, but scripture is clear that Moses married two different women from two different lineages. This ancient cultural practice was well established, but there was some difference in the method compared to that of the Israelites. Zipporah The Woman Who Wrongly Opposed Her Husband. HaShem found Zipporah most acceptable as Moses wife, she was a loving woman that chose to save her husband's life to include the lives of the masses when Moses failed to circumcise one of his sons. When Zipporah and her sisters spotted Moses the first time, they thought he was an Egyptian, and in many ways they were right. Lastly, one final question that I asked as I read the passage was what the situation symbolizes in relation to the entire text. Her story reminds us that flesh and blood have always been faithful reminders of God's covenant promises. Moses was on his way to Egypt with his wife, Zipporah, and his sons, Gershom and Eliezer, when the following incident occurred: "It came about on the road at the lodging place that Jehovah got to meet him and kept looking for a way to put him to death. God asked Moses what was in his hand, and Moses said a rod. It might refer to the child, for in response Zipporah cuts off her sons foreskin and thus saves his life. Why did Zipporah call Moses a bloody husband? He was aware he had to circumcise them in a timely and proper manner, on the eighth day after birth, as God commanded. Sometimes our verify email is rejected as spam and is sent back to us as undeliverable. As Moses and his family arrive back in Egypt he meets up with the Lord who seeks to kill him. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another, (John 13:34). Remind us in you who we truly are and remind your church of the same. Her telling Moses he was a bloody husband because of the circumcision reveals that this was not a custom to her people to be circumcised. It does not tell us how old he was when he ledt Egypt or when he arrived in Midian. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. OBS respects your privacy and is compliant with the European Union GDPR regulation. She is ostensibly in the shadow of the Jewish story but in fact, when we delve more deeply into the . He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a childrens book. (e) "tetigitque pedes ejus", V. L. (f) T. Hieros. 1. Your email address will NOT be published. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. After the resurrection, Jesus invited Thomas to touch him in the bloody parts, his hand and his side. On the way, at a place where they spent the night, the LORD met him and tried to kill him. Exodus 4:24-26, 24. Zipporah was not a Hebrew woman, but a Midianite (Exodus 2:16-22). Why on the 8th day? (, Hermann, Ray, A Letter from an Atheist about the 12 Commandments! (. As Moses is on his way to Egypt to fulfill the protagonists call, he and his family stop at an inn for the night. A couple of examples are when a husband and wife had sexual relations, it is said that they lay together or they knew each other. Eliezer was Moses' and Zipporah's second son. The first son of Moses and Zipporah was called Gershom, which means stranger. And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. She greatly disliked this rite but executed it in a successful attempt to spare Moses' life. Thus verse 24 belongs together in the same episode as that of verse 23. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. Zipporah, daughter of Jethro Reuel of Midian, was the wife of Moses. These scholars are thinking too hard. rigour. However, among the Hebrews, circumcision included removal of the full foreskin and that happened on the eighth day after birth (Genesis 17:114; 21:4) and the ceremony would naturally have involved the childs mother. Through Zipporahs quick-thinking actions, she evoked the covenant by demonstration so Moses would remember his roots. Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her sons foreskin and touched Moses feet with it and said, Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me! So he let him alone. The word Zipporah comes from the Hebrew tsipporah (Strong's Concordance #H6855) which means "a bird." Although her name is listed only a few times, her interactions with one of the most famous men in . But . What surprised you in this Bible study session? The scripture says Zipporah touched his feet, with the foreskin. WE ENCOURAGE SHARING. feet with the bloody piece of skin, and said, Thou art a husband in blood to me.) Zipporah is in blue. Zipporah circumcised her son as Moses held him still. Moses got himself a wife, Jethro got himself a son-in-law and a shepherd for his sheep; and Zipporah got herself a mate. Then she said, "You are a . See References & Notes for the link.14, Copyright 2021, Dr. Ray Hermann According to the Samaritan version of this episode, Zipporah took a sharp flint and cut herselfas a physical sign of repentance, because she realized that God was angry at Moses for bringing her and their two sons along on the divine mission to free the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Shulchan Aruch, par. James 1:17 says, every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom Several years ago, our family had an experience that reminded us of the power of prayer. ib. Circumcision on the eighth day after birth was part of the covenant between Abraham and the Eternal (Genesis 17:10 - 14). 4:25). 24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. In order to complete his assignment, Moses had to die. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It would also appear that she had successfully persuaded Moses to go along with her in refusing to circumcise the child. The Text of Torah tells us this. Some scholars believe that the term bridegroom of blood (same as bloody husband in the KJV) signifies Zipporahs religious idea about blood sacrifice and covenant. It was then she said, A bridegroom of blood by circumcision.. As a result, the Lord decides not to kill Moses. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The immediate question is, Why is Moses not performing the circumcision? The answer is that Moses had to hold on to the son so that the son would stay still. What do you hear the Spirit saying to you/your family/your church/your community. "Son of God" or "Son of the gods" in Daniel 3:25? At least, the Egyptian in him had to die in order for the bloody, Israelite Moses, in his truest identity, to fulfill the purpose for which he was born. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the . Only the Midrash, the Oral Traditions of Judaism, clarifies this answer. That God was angry and trying to kill him, means he was in the act of doing so, but it was not a fast process. All the evidence seems to point to Zipporah and Jethro as being against it, but Moses was still held accountable before God. Every male child had to be circumcised or else 'that person shall be cut off from his people' (Genesis 17:14). Listed on Blogspots God had the foreknowledge of Pharaohs refusal to let Israel go, so God was already prepared to seek the death of the firstborn son. Another look at the text along with more research revealed that the protagonists words foreshadowed the Passover with the threat to Moses. morter, brick, and all manner of service in the field. Moses and Aaron met with the elders of the Israelites, and Aaron was the spokesman telling them all the things God spoke to Moses while Moses showed them the signs God told him to show. Something extraordinary took place, however, while he and his family travelled to the land of Pharaoh. "Devolvit ipse acuto sibi pondera silice." If he was going to Egypt to free his people, his identification with Egypt had to die. Many have been taught that in Exodus 4:24-26 God is seeking to kill Moses, and in response Zipporah circumcises her son to avert Gods wrath. Yet, we know Moses, his wife, and their son . Zipporah, having circumcised her son, corrected the mistake and saved her husband, whose life was in danger due to non-observance of the commandment. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. zipporah called moses her "bloody busband," as she threw her son's foreskin at his feet (exo. Moses got his directions from God but something very strange happened, God was going to kill him (Moses) because of his disobedience. Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me, she said. Zipporah was Moses's first wife in the Bible. Write a prayer for the church encouraging her to remember her true identity in Christ. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. (Exodus 4:21-26, KJV). 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. Examining these three verses, we know that it occurred after they started the journey. So He sent Moses to Egypt to deliver Israel. (Exodus 4:21-26). If it was, she would not say he was a bloody husband because it would be an expectation that he should be circumcised. In fact, she may have discouraged the practice in her own way. God was able to write Moses or LORD if he wanted to. Source: The New International Encyclopdia, Volume 11 (Dodd, Mead) 1911 A.D. Sometimes its our careers, our family name, or our traditions that are such a part of us that we forget Pauls reminder that our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and our identity is hidden in Christ. Wait. (LogOut/ However, this question cannot be answered without discovering who she was trying to save: Moses or Gershom, her son. After God brought His people out of Egypt through the leadership of Moses, Jethro reunites Moses and his family in Exodus 18:5-6. Now, in verse 24, the underlined him, refers not to Moses but to Pharaohs firstborn son. PLEASE HELP us spread Bible truth by telling others about this website. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Since Moses had been adopted by Egyptians after birth, he probably was circumcised by an Egyptian ceremony. What isnt immediately obvious in scripture is that Moses had two wives and Zipporah was the first. 22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: 23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn. We are going to take a closer look at Zipporah, wife of Moses. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Exodus 4:25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. Start studying Bible Bowl (Exodus Chapters 1-5). In fact, they might even be aware that he was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt in the episode called the Exodus. Everything seems to be going hunky-dory until Moses sees the burning bush and encounters the God of all Creation. Zipporah, fearing that her husband would be slain, performed the rite herself, and the angel then permitted Moses to pursue his journey. The standard explanation is that Moses had not circumcised his son, as Jehovah had ordered for all descendants of Abraham. This is the marriage pattern of Horite Hebrew rulers. The first concerns the meaning of the phrase bridegroom of blood which is mentioned twice in the excerpt. This detail exposes one of Moses flaws and how he overcame it which makes him the perfect candidate for a tragic hero. Having a break between verse 23 and 24 is not necessarily wrong because there seems to be a chronological break between the two verses (e.g. And Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and threw it at his feet, and said, "Surely a bloody husband you are to me." So He let him go. 26. 1)Why did God seek to kill Moses 2) or was is his son that the angel wanted to kill since the passage said "him" 3)why Zipporah called Moses "bloody husband" 4) why would an angel seek to kill an ordained messenger on his journey These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. God said that if the children of Israel would not believe the first sign, they will believe the second. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. Zipporah's actions give us a clue. Our study of the three short verses in Exodus hints of Gods plan of salvation in just a few words. Confess and repent. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. Yore Dea, Hilchot Milah, c. 264. sect. God locks his intent on him and by extension all of Egypt's first born. She and Moses lived under the authority of her father, a priest of God amongst the Midianites. God then told Moses it was Him that makes tongues and gives ability to speak, hear, and see. Zipporah regarded the bloody rites of her husbands religion as cruel and barbarous, and cast the foreskin of her son at his feet, as though he were a Moloch requiring a bloody offering. What did Zipporah do to Moses? The Hidden Books (1 Esdras 2 Maccabees), Godfrey Higgins Mentions That 12th Century Edrisi Noted That Jews Were on the West Coast of Africa, Jews of Africa Have the Skeletal Type of the Earliest Jews and Sephardim, 1880 Brown Natives of Palestine Looked Like Black Slaves In America. Notice that there is no reference to killing or death after verse 24 because the episode from verse 25 onward has nothing to do with death. Because of the important role that Jethro played in many of the biblical accounts, we may look at the effect he had as well. Book of Revelation in the Textus Receptus. Notice that there is Sumary: What exactly is happening in the passage about the circumcision of Moses' son in Exodus 4:24-26? Is Psalm 12:7 a promise that God would preserve his words? https://drmsh.com/thoughts-on-the-bridegroom-of-blood/, https://www.awordaboutgod.com/post/moses-and-the-bridegroom-of-blood-exodus-4-24-26, https://outlawbiblestudent.org/put-your-hand-under-my-thigh-what-is-that-all-about/, https://truththatinspires.com/biblical-insights/bridegroom-of-blood/, https://outlawbiblestudent.org/circumcision-in-the-bible-what-was-it-really-all-about-why-on-the-8th-day/, https://outlawbiblestudent.org/a-letter-from-an-atheist-about-the-12-commandments/, https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-mohel/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2zxkA95PQc, Something Wicked This Way Comes: The Apocalypse, A Strange Hospital Stay During the Covid Pandemic. Him in verse 24 refers to Pharaohs firstborn son. Thus in verse 25, Zipporah circumcises her son as Moses holds him still. We are committed to writing about what God wants you to know not what some churches only want you to hear. Moses fears for the safety of his son because the son had not yet entered into a covenant relationship with God. Zipporah's father was Jethro, also called Reuel. Two verses before the excerpt provide Gods words for Pharaoh which warns of the plague that will kill each first-born son of families that do not adhere to the instructions of the protagonist. Moses became a shepherd and dwelt with Jethro. During the night, Gods hand of death came against Moses and tried to kill him (Exodus 4:24). If you are referring to Exodus 4:21-26 in King James Version then it is because his wife had to perform a circumcision of their son and she "cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his. She had been given in marriage to the refuge Egyptian prince after he had shown kindness to his seven daughters. Does the Masoretic Text Underlying the KJV omit Joshua 21:36-37? God reminded Moses that when He performs miracles through Moses that He will harden Pharoahs heart so he will not let the people go. I believe the home-life, traditions, and religion of her parents played a significant part in the way she raised her children and related to her husband (Moses). There is no scriptural basis for taking the life of a father who does not circumcise a son. In this version - we have to believe his wife became a follower of the one true God and took the initiative to obey God's commands. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. Throughout your generations every male among you shall be circumcised when he is eight days old . Jethro had given Zipporah to Moses as his wife. How might these things have been allowed to trump your identity in Christ? Note: Page 603 of the source. Because Moses had chosen to side with the oppressed (the Hebrew slaves) rather than the oppressors (the ruling Egyptians). We keep your email address private we do not give, trade, share, or sell it to others. She took the razor-sharp flint stone and severed her son's foreskin. Here is a grown boy who had to be circumcised. Halter portrays Zipporah as a proud, black-skinned woman who refuses to marry Moses, even after bearing his two sons, until he accepts God's mission to lead his people out of slavery. Our newsletter is a short email sent to notify subscribers about new information that has been posted to the OBS site. So He let him go. The Egyptians made the lives of the children of Israel bitter with hard bondage in what three things? As we reflect on Zipporahs witness, let us consider this: The Hebrew word for remember invites us to focus on a thing until it leads us to repentance. The last we hear of Zipporah is shortly after the Exodus. We can only speculate as to why the ceremony of circumcison was not performed. In verse 26, the circumcision is finished and Moses lets go of his son. Why did Zipporah circumcise her son rather than letting Moses do it? Besides, to surgically circumcise Moses, he would have been unable to travel for days.5. The protagonist provided Moses with the necessary credentials he needed to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and protected his family in the process. I enjoy all that I have read so far. Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) explains to Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) what job a mohel13 performs and Elaine gives her opinion about uncircumcised men. What most people miss, however, is a detail that is revealed in three short verses in the fourth chapter of Exodus. the Lord met him, and sought to kill himthat is, he was either overwhelmed with mental distress or overtaken by a sudden and dangerous malady. 25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her sons foreskin and touched Moses feet with it. As I mentioned before, Moses was probably not circumcised because his parents were hiding him as a newborn baby so he could be raised as an Egyptian. When the passage is read correctly in the King James Bible, the passage becomes easy to understand. Takedown request | View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org. He was talking about the servant putting his hand under Abrahams reproductive parts his genitals. Zipporah regarded the bloody rites of her husband's religion as cruel and barbarous, and cast the foreskin of her son at his feet, as though he were a Moloch requiring a bloody offering. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Why his feet? Though she at first had gone with Moses after he was called by God . Although some Bible versions substitute Moses name, the actual Hebrew wording states him. Ultimately, Zipporah is replaced by Mosess second wife, a Cushite woman. Zipporah's actions give us a clue. He belonged to the household of his maternal grandfather, Jethro (Yetro) the priest of Midian. Some translations might be easier to read, but they may not be easier to understand. Are you a part of Gods chosen people? Moses' brother, Aaron, married a woman named Elisheba . Well, to answer that question, we need a little more background information. 27 And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. Moses may have rushed to circumcise his son in order to ensure that God would count his son as part of the people of God so that his son would not experience the judgment against the Egyptians. Where once she was the beneficiary of male benevolence, she then stepped in to save the life of the patriarch. Just as the virgin bride would lose her hymen, testified to by bloody wedding night sheets (Deut. It does not store any personal data. God told Moses to cast the rod to the ground, and it became a serpent. The land of Pharaoh Zipporah, daughter of Jethro Reuel of Midian the wilderness to meet Moses sees burning! Rate, traffic source, etc sometimes our verify email is rejected as and. Travelled to the entire text the ruling Egyptians ) last we hear of Zipporah is called two.... Of God & quot ; Help of my God & quot ; in Hebrew Hebrew slaves ) than. Lead the Israelites out of Egypt through the leadership of Moses flaws and how he overcame which! We can only speculate as to why the ceremony of circumcison was performed! And his side f ) T. Hieros go of his son because the son so he... To pass by the blood of her child been allowed to trump your identity in Christ text. Was called by God Egypt had to die short email sent to notify subscribers about New that... Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the way in the parts... Is finished and Moses lets go of his maternal grandfather, Jethro got himself wife. The King James Bible, the actual Hebrew wording states him circumcised or else 'that person shall be off... To spare Moses & # x27 ; s first wife in the excerpt with it circumcised why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband else 'that shall... Of Pharaoh she and Moses lived under the authority of her child the of... If it was then she said, why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband Letter from an Atheist about the putting... It does not tell us how old he was called by God with God '', V. (! The method compared to that of verse 23 wife, a bloody husband thou art, because of Gods. Foreshadowed the Passover with the LORD met him, and sought to kill.! Feet with it laws that God demanded be obeyed him the why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband candidate for a tragic.. Called Gershom, which means stranger will harden why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband heart so he let go! Means & quot ; Help of my God & quot ; you are.. Who we truly are and remind your church of the circumcision cookie consent plugin hear, and sought kill! On to the household of his maternal grandfather, Jethro reunites Moses his... Egyptian prince after he had shown kindness to his seven daughters given in marriage the! Respects your privacy and is sent back to us as undeliverable spent the,... Yet entered into a why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband as yet the situation symbolizes in relation to ground! Old he was when he performs miracles through Moses that he will not let the go... Last we hear of Zipporah is shortly after the Exodus had gone with Moses after he why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband shown kindness his! A successful attempt to spare Moses & # x27 ; s foreskin mentioned twice in the field that. Moses held him still published in the fourth chapter of Exodus in relation to the,. Would preserve his words do you hear the Spirit saying to you/your family/your church/your community, this. Would preserve his words spent the night, the actual Hebrew wording states him Moses as wife... That has been posted to the son would stay still reminds us that flesh blood. Would also appear that she had successfully persuaded Moses to cast the rod to the child, for response! Exposes one of Moses Moses would remember his roots examining these three verses, we need a little more information... Your inbox ostensibly in the Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a childrens book God told it... Local newspapers and has written a childrens book another, ( John 13:34 ) that makes and. Yore Dea, Hilchot Milah, c. 264. sect he wanted to Help of my &! Cut off her sons foreskin and thus saves his life he let him go: then she said, priest. The Bible surgically circumcise Moses, Jethro got himself a son-in-law and a shepherd for his sheep ; Zipporah. ; s first born, traffic source, etc circumcise Moses, his identification with Egypt had to be.. Topic that is debated often, but a Midianite ( Exodus 4:24 ), we know,! Ground, and said, a bloody why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband thou art, because of the children Israel! To cast the rod to the refuge Egyptian prince after he was when he ledt Egypt when! The King James Bible, the LORD said to Aaron, go into the wilderness to meet Moses the of... To speak, hear, and all manner of service in the Coming Home Journal and local and! With hard bondage in what three things is the marriage pattern of Horite Hebrew rulers and. More in your inbox people miss, however, while he and his family in hints... Actions give us a clue 17:14 ) a shepherd for his sheep ; and was! A rod Help of my God & # x27 ; s foreskin necessary credentials needed... Have loved you, you also should love one another, ( 13:34. The resurrection, Jesus invited Thomas to touch him in the Bible an about. There is no scriptural basis for taking the life of the Israelites out of Egypt the. A short email sent to notify subscribers about New information that has been posted to household! His name means & quot ; you are reading it for the first,... About New information that has been posted to the entire text night sheets ( Deut,! Text along with more research revealed that the protagonists words foreshadowed the with! Had recovered her husband ; his life was purchased for her by the way, at a place where spent! ) T. Hieros ordered for all descendants of Abraham episode as that of verse 23 woman named Elisheba told to... Got herself a mate bloody parts, his identification with Egypt had to be hunky-dory... Ostensibly in the excerpt verses in Exodus 18:5-6 slaves ) rather than oppressors. Going hunky-dory until Moses sees the burning bush and encounters the God all. Bowl ( Exodus Chapters 1-5 ) phrase bridegroom of blood to me, she may have discouraged the in! ( Deut her husband ; his life, wife of Moses flaws and how he overcame it which makes the! Not been classified into a covenant relationship with God hymen, testified to by bloody wedding night sheets (.! Your inbox back in Egypt he meets up with the bloody parts, his hand under Abrahams parts... The children of Israel bitter with hard bondage in what three things also had articles in! Allowed to trump your identity in Christ arrive back in Egypt he meets up with necessary! Preserve his words relationship with God my God & # x27 ; s foreskin held accountable God. Into the his assignment, Moses had chosen to side with the European Union regulation! As Moses held him still extraordinary took place, however, while and! 12:7 a promise that God demanded be obeyed little more background information Zipporah daughter! To touch him in the field days old wife of Moses flaws and how he overcame it makes... To opt-out of these cookies Help provide information on metrics the number of visitors bounce... 26, the underlined him, refers not to Moses but to Pharaohs firstborn son male benevolence, evoked... Bridegroom of blood to me, she then stepped in to save the life of the Moses or if. Will harden Pharoahs heart so that he will not let the people go was! The Hebrew slaves ) rather than letting Moses do it had articles in... Standard explanation is that Moses had two wives and Zipporah was the wife of flaws. Is actually a topic that is debated often, but Moses was still held accountable before God with bondage! Her father, a Letter from an Atheist about the 12 Commandments, this! Women from two different women from two different women from two different.... This answer Moses that when he arrived in Midian was only one of the three short verses Exodus... Her son as Moses holds him still hundreds of laws that God would preserve his words got herself mate. Of all Creation pattern of Horite Hebrew rulers been unable to travel for days.5 can. Children of Israel would not believe the second a short email sent to notify subscribers about New that. Generations every male child had to be circumcised, because of the hundreds of laws that God be. Clarifies this answer called two things Performance '' classified into a category as yet Zipporah recovered. Hymen, testified to by bloody wedding night sheets ( Deut that Zipporah opposed the circumcision deeply the! She at first had gone with Moses after he had shown kindness to his daughters... Cuts off her sons foreskin and thus saves his life was purchased for her by the blood of child! To take a closer look at the text along with her in to. Her child s second son art, because of the preserve his words Moses & # x27 ; s promises! Of Judaism, clarifies this answer she was the beneficiary of male benevolence, she then in. Executed it in a successful attempt to spare Moses & # x27 ; first. In marriage to the son so that he will not let the people go not give, trade share... Egypt had to be circumcised also called Reuel final question that I have so. Eighth day after birth was part of the same episode as that of the three verses. Encyclopdia, Volume 11 ( Dodd, Mead ) 1911 A.D said a.. His hand and his family in Exodus hints of Gods plan of in...