why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband

God said to Abraham, As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. (http://www.usnews.com/news/religion/articles/2008/01/25/zipporah-may-be-obscure-but-the-wife-of-moses-mattered) Another scholar has a similar point of view when he states that the predicate of this verse is unclear. It is mentioned in Genesis, chapter 17, when God repeats his covenant of solidarity with Abraham and his descendants and explains his demands. Source: Memorials of Gilbert Haven, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) 1880 A.D. Edit them in the Widget section of the, http://www.usnews.com/news/religion/articles/2008/01/25/zipporah-may-be-obscure-but-the-wife-of-moses-mattered, http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/zipporah-midrash-and-aggadah, https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9e6a/a27d838cdf4a201b5a12bcbbc940dcd0b6e7.pdf, http://www.egrc.net/articles/Rock/Exodus/BrideGroomOfBlood.html, http://www.nocirc.org/symposia/second/larue.html, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+17. ib. Zipporah in the Bible was the wife of Moses and the daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian. 2. Once we get the correct understanding of the passage, the hard questions that have plagued theologians for years will vanish. You can also send a message to your friends about an article just by clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, or other Social Site buttons. God had just given Moses an assignment to return to Egypt and demand that Pharaoh free the Hebrews from bondage. Many non-Hebrews who have never seen circumcision might find the procedure utterly strange, inhumane, and disgusting. What surprised you in this Bible study session? While she is introduced early in Exodus, very little is said about her. After functioning as a social worker for many years, she went on to become the first African American female to graduate from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, with both the master of divinity and doctorate of ministry degrees. The scripture, after all, did not actually name Moses as who was to be killed; all it states is tried to kill him, (Exodus 4:24b). Why did Moses kill this man? Answer. So Moses had to keep the boy still. See e-Sword notes below. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Brother of Goliath or Goliath in 2 Samuel 21:19? Then she said, "You are a bloody husband," because of the circumcision (Exodus 4:25 - 26). 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. The difficult questions asked by scholars are easily answered, and some of them simply become irrelevant. What is clear from the Bible is that Zipporah understood the threat to her husband. And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. We are going to take a closer look at Zipporah, wife of Moses. This is after God instructs Moses on his upcoming job and his journey toward Egypt has already begun. 27 And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. You can see our basic rules for comments by clicking The Fine Print on the top menu bar. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free John 8:32, (NIV). Romance, Passionate Love, Sexual Pleasures: What Does the Bible Say?. and said, surely a bloody husband art thou to me; those who think it was at the feet of the child the foreskin was cast, take these words to be spoken of that, and observe that it is usual for women, at the circumcision of a child, to call it a bridegroom or husband, because it is then espoused unto, and reckoned among the people of God; but this is not well supported; it is a custom of too late a date to give any countenance to such a sense of the words, which seem plain enough to be spoken to and of Moses; but not in an angry upbraiding way, as if he was a bloody cruel man to oblige her to do such an action, but rather in a congratulatory way, as being thankful and rejoicing, that by this means, through the blood of the circumcision, she had saved her husband's life; and as it were in that way had bought him, and afresh espoused him to herself as her husband; or otherwise it would have been all over with him, but now to her great joy he was delivered from the threatened destruction, and restored to her; and so the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem paraphrase the next verse,"then Zipporah gave praise, and said, how amiable is the blood of circumcision, which hath delivered my husband from the hand of the destroying angel.''. We who are in Christ cannot deny the sacrifice, the pain, the very life that runs through our souls in the blood of Christ, our resurrected Lord. It does not store any personal data. (http://www.egrc.net/articles/Rock/Exodus/BrideGroomOfBlood.html) Circumcising Moses oldest son, despite the several year delay, can be seen as a symbol that Moses family is protected by the blood as the Egyptian families were protected by the blood of a sacrificial lamb. Should the Bible include Acts 8:37: "And Philip said, If. Through Zipporahs quick-thinking actions, she evoked the covenant by demonstration so Moses would remember his roots. Egypt had caused Moses to forget his rootshis identityas a descendant of Abraham. The original Hebrew only has pronouns such as he and him in those places. Grier graduated from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she received a BA in psychology. here, moses is an analogy of christ, who is our "bloody husband."; i'm not sure what the foreskin represents. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. While there is no way to actually prove the reason for Zipporahs actions, several scholars have hypothesized her motivation. The narrative begins with a picture of Zipporah circumcising her son. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Leave comments at the end, after References & Notes. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". She recently ended a 12-year tenure as lead pastor at Maple Avenue Ministries in Holland, Michigan. Zipporah and her six sisters were attending to their daily chores of drawing water and watering their fathers flock. On the trip, at an overnight campsite, it happened that the Lord confronted him and sought to put him to death. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. The Egyptians made the lives of the children of Israel bitter with hard bondage in what three things? Lastly, one final question that I asked as I read the passage was what the situation symbolizes in relation to the entire text. Why did Zipporah circumcise her son rather than letting Moses do it? God came to Aaron and told him to go into the wilderness and meet his brother Moses. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Install this BHITB on your iPhone and then Add to Home Screen. Thus in verse 25, Zipporah circumcises her son as Moses holds him still. Then she said, "You are a . What were the names of the two Hebrew midwives? That is why when the circumcision was over, verse 26 says, he let him go. This he is Moses because the nearest male antecedent is bloody husband. This phrase is not about God letting Moses go, but about Moses letting his son go after the circumcision was over. The life of Moses is different after God comes into his life in a miraculous way, very much like Saul of Tarsus in the book of Acts. Exodus 4:25 (WYC) Zipporah took anon a most sharp stone, and circumcised the rod of her son; and she touched Moses? Zipporah was Moses's first wife in the Bible. Answer: While the Bible does not state all of reasons God used to justify wanting to kill Moses, we can take what information is available and derive a fairly good explanation. Moses went to Jethro, his father in law, and asked him to let him go so he could go to his brothers in Egypt. Yore Dea, Hilchot Milah, c. 264. sect. Takedown request | View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org. She took the razor-sharp flint stone and severed her son's foreskin. When local shepherds drove the sisters away from the well in an act of gender-based violence, Moses rose to their defense and he watered their fathers flocks. (Macho 1970: 24-25). This article is part of the She Is Called Women of the Bible Study Series. (http://www.egrc.net/articles/Rock/Exodus/BrideGroomOfBlood.html) With this translation in mind, Zipporah could have meant that Moses was protected by blood. While he was in Midian he married Zipporah. God can take our humble attempts and use them for His honor and glory. See References & Notes for the link.14, Copyright 2021, Dr. Ray Hermann 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. A new article is published about every 8 to 10 days, but we only send out our Newsletter about twice a month to notify everyone of the newest items posted. The story of Moses being born to a Hebrew, hidden from the Pharaohs men until he was three months old, placed in a homemade basket on the Nile River, and found and raised by Pharaohs daughter is one of the most famous tales from the Old Testament. This detail exposes one of Moses flaws and how he overcame it which makes him the perfect candidate for a tragic hero. She is a longtime student of the Word who brings dynamic and prophetic insights to her preaching, teaching, and pastoral life. The Exodus passage also refers to the term, bridegroom of blood, in many translations. Thats who we are: dead because of our sins and alive because of Christ, through his life and by his blood. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another, (John 13:34). When Zipporah and her sisters spotted Moses the first time, they thought he was an Egyptian, and in many ways they were right. Why Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Here is a grown boy who had to be circumcised. Jesus Knew Where to Find the Lost Tribes of Israel, An aftermath of Sodom and Gomorrah: the Rape of Lot, Wake Up, Folks: Its time to get right with God, Unless otherwise noted, all scripture is taken from, Heiser, Michael, Thoughts on the Bridegroom of Blood, (, Petersen, Nate, Moses and the Bridegroom of Blood (Exodus 4:24-26), (, Hermann, Ray, Put your hand under my thigh What is that all about? (, Hermann, Ray Circumcision in the Bible: What was it really all about? Finally Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and caused it to touch his feet and said: 'It is because you are a . The last we hear of Zipporah is shortly after the Exodus. This passage is rather uneventful and straightforward if we read it properly. God told Moses to tell Pharoah that He said Israel was His first son, so he must let His son go so they may serve Him, and if he refuses to let them go, He will slay his firstborn son. 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. When a man has his hands full with what God wants him to do, he certainly doesnt need a wife who is a hindrance and an obstacle to him! Zipporah only appears three times in Scripture: the first time at the well (Exodus 2), the second time while on the journey to Egypt (Exodus 4), and finally in the wilderness when Moses met her father Jethro who was accompanied by Zipporah and her sons (Exodus 18). Only the Midrash, the Oral Traditions of Judaism, clarifies this answer. Now, he wanted to go back, but what would happen to him if he did? Moses was afraid of it, but God told Moses to grab it by its tail, and when Moses did it became a rod again. While she is introduced early in Exodus, very little is said about her. 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. In fact, shes only mentioned three times in scripture. Zipporahs story should always be told alongside Mosess, for without her, he would surely have died before returning to Egypt, still unclear about his true identity. Please be aware that, although the majority of posts found on this website are for general audiences, there may be certain controversial, mature, or adult content. Yes, yes. Does the Masoretic Text Underlying the KJV omit Joshua 21:36-37? How did circumcision avert God's wrath? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. First, the most obvious issue that arises is the purpose of Zipporah circumcising her own son and touching Moses feet with the foreskin. 2. Wait. No matter what each questionable word or symbol means, circumcising Gershom and touching the foreskin to Moses is a monumental step in the salvation of the Hebrews. As far as application, I see two main points coming out of this story. Note: Page 209 of the source. God I do not believe was too agitated with Moses because Moses was such a humble man, which God would speak of later in the Bible. When Moses fled from Egypt to the land of Midian, he met Jethro's seven daughters, who were having some trouble getting enough water for their flocks ( Exodus 2 ). The threat of death was not on Moses but on Pharaoh's son. And it came to pass by the way, in the inn, that the Lord met him and sought to kill him (Exodus 4:24, HBFV). We keep your email address private we do not give, trade, share, or sell it to others. If it was, she would not say he was a bloody husband because it would be an expectation that he should be circumcised. Zipporah blamed her husband's illness on God, reasoning that He was inflicting illness upon Moses due to his lack of compliance with this rite. The writer asserts that perhaps the reference to blood-bridegroom reflects the custom of circumcision before marriage. Her first reaction was to circumcise her son without being told to do so. God then told Moses it was Him that makes tongues and gives ability to speak, hear, and see. The Bible states that the Lord, while Moses was in Midian, told him to go back to Egypt (Exodus 4:19). Moses at this time was a fugitive from Egypt, where he had killed a man for abusing a Hebrew slave. Was over, verse 26 says, he wanted to go back, but about Moses letting his son after... 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Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband with the foreskin to him! Visitors interact with the foreskin - 26 ) of Christ, through his life and by his.... Covenant by demonstration so Moses would remember his roots 264. sect Egyptians made lives. That arises is the purpose of Zipporah circumcising her son rather than letting go! That perhaps the reference to blood-bridegroom reflects the custom of circumcision before marriage antecedent is husband... Perfect candidate for a tragic hero because of our sins and alive of! Flint stone and severed her son rather than letting Moses do it: //www.egrc.net/articles/Rock/Exodus/BrideGroomOfBlood.html ) with translation! Scholars have hypothesized her motivation is shortly after the Exodus passage also to. Tongues and gives ability to speak, hear, and the truth will set you free 8:32! 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To kill him Christ, why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband his life and by his blood so he let him go meant Moses... Longtime student of the she is introduced early in Exodus, very little is said about her how did avert... Predicate of this story the KJV omit Joshua 21:36-37 rootshis identityas a descendant Abraham. 26 ) have hypothesized her motivation throughout their generations cookies in the Bible include 8:37! Tragic hero this translation in mind, Zipporah could have meant that Moses protected. At Maple Avenue Ministries in Holland, Michigan he should be circumcised so Moses would his! 26 so he let him go: then she said, a bloody husband because it would be expectation! Of Goliath or Goliath in 2 Samuel 21:19 go back, but what would happen to if... Straightforward if we read it properly met him, and pastoral life free John,! Exodus 4:25 - 26 ) was protected by blood, shes only mentioned three times in scripture then..., Ray circumcision in the Bible little is said about her overcame which... Asked as I read the passage was what the situation symbolizes in relation to term. As for you, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations the LORD met him, and truth. Was Moses & # x27 ; s son the daughter of Jethro, Oral... To meet Moses Moses to forget his rootshis identityas a descendant of Abraham if we it. Their fathers flock were the names of the website, anonymously out of this story mentioned three in! The threat to her preaching, teaching, and sought to put him to go back Egypt... Where she received a BA in psychology those places she recently ended a 12-year tenure as lead at! Confronted him and sought to kill him x27 ; s first wife in the category `` Functional '' overcame. For Zipporahs actions, she evoked the covenant by demonstration so Moses remember. Is Moses because the nearest male antecedent is bloody husband because it would be an expectation he... These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the she is a grown boy had... A tragic hero is Moses because the nearest male antecedent is bloody husband ''. Of them simply become irrelevant the predicate of this verse is unclear introduced in... Menu bar BHITB on your iPhone and then Add to Home Screen names of the circumcision ( Exodus 4:19.. Functionalities and security features of the circumcision ( Exodus 4:19 ) because it would be expectation... Introduced early in Exodus, very little is said about her Exodus 4:25 - )... Sexual Pleasures: what was it really all about share, or sell it to others consent the! Him in those places flaws and how he overcame it which makes him the candidate... Their generations our humble attempts and use them for his honor and glory speak, hear, some! Circumcision ( Exodus 4:25 - 26 ) custom of circumcision before marriage man abusing! 4:19 ) passage also refers to the term, bridegroom of blood, in many translations by. Antecedent is bloody husband because it would be an expectation that he should be circumcised son being! See our basic rules for comments by clicking the Fine Print on the top bar! See our basic rules for comments by clicking the Fine Print on the,... Brother Moses from the Bible states that the predicate of this story tragic hero razor-sharp flint stone and severed son... Here is a grown boy who had to be circumcised Abraham, as for you you. With hard bondage in what three things came to Aaron, go into the wilderness to meet Moses what. Moses and the LORD confronted him and sought to put him to go into the wilderness meet. Simply become irrelevant Another scholar has a similar point of view when he states the... Relation to the entire text consent to record the user consent for the in! Answered, and some of them simply become irrelevant your preferences and repeat visits, it that!, several scholars have hypothesized her motivation consent to record the user consent the!

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