Approach the text as if you are reading it for the first time. 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. Our newsletter is a short email sent to notify subscribers about new information that has been posted to the OBS site. Answer (1 of 3): The verses in question are Exodus 4:24-26, the context is Moses, his wife Zipporah and their son Gershom reaching an inn on their way from Midian to Egypt to announce the plagues to the Pharaoh. Ultimately, Zipporah is replaced by Mosess second wife, a Cushite woman. We are committed to writing about what God wants you to know not what some churches only want you to hear. . 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). The elders believed, and when they heard that God had heard of their afflictions and their cries, they bowed their heads and worshipped Him. Zipporah was one of seven Midianite sisters that mistook Moses for an Egyptian after he saved them from the men at the well (Exodus 2:16-19). Some translations might be easier to read, but they may not be easier to understand. 21 The LORD said to Moses, When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. 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. There have been many attempts to answer these questions, but they are all very speculative. The Study Bible for Women says: "Zipporah performed the rite that Moses had neglected; circumcision was necessary to identify the son as a "son of Israel", a member of the covenant community". During the patriarchal period, oaths were taken by placing a hand under the reproductive organ, but generally recorded in the Bible as thigh instead of testicles, penis, or genitals. Aaron met Moses at Mount Horeb, which is also a range in Sinai, the mountain of the Lord, and Moses told him all the things the Lord had told him to say and do. 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. [17] A new section begins from verse 25. These verses, concerning a circumcision,2 are odd and confusing, and some commentators believe they are out of place. Zipporah's actions give us a clue. Jesus changed the law with a single word: love.12, To wrap up this article and end with a bit of humor, we have a 40-second video clip from an old Seinfeld television program from the 1990s, concerning the subject of circumcision. We are urged to die to all our false identities and to remember our true identity as siblings of the flesh and blood of the Bridegroom. By the way, the phrase of the title "a bloody husband art thou to me" is how the King James Version renders what the NIV here gives as "you are a bridegroom of blood to me." Some background to the story. 26. Before delving in to the scholars theories, it is important to remember that due to the fact that Moses was being hidden as a baby and raised as an Egyptian, he was probably not circumcised. This Old Testament procedure showed that the flesh must be physically sacrificed, whereas in this current age, the sacrifice of the flesh is spiritual. morter, brick, and all manner of service in the field. Cast it at his feet - Showing at once her abhorrence of the rite, and her feeling that by it she had saved her husband's life. "Moses had been as good as taken from her by the deadly attack which had been made upon him. Only the Midrash, the Oral Traditions of Judaism, clarifies this answer. Moreover, the failure to be circumcised is punishable by exclusion from the Abrahamic covenant, not death (Genesis 17:14). Concerned for her husband's safety, Zipporah overcomes her maternal feelings of aversion to the painful rite, performs herself, by means of one of the sharp flints with which that part of the desert abounds, an operation which her husband, on whom the duty devolved, was unable to do, and having brought the bloody evidence, exclaimed in the painful excitement of her feelings that from love to him she had risked the life of her child [Calvin, Bullinger, Rosenmuller]. Every time we gather for communion, her words should be told alongside Mosess, Yes, Jesus, you are a Bridegroom of blood.. You are a bridegroom of blood, Zipporah declares as she tosses flesh at Mosess feet. This is the only time this Strong's (e) "tetigitque pedes ejus", V. L. (f) T. Hieros. In fact, shes only mentioned three times in scripture. Scholars are mostly in agreement that the act of killing him was by way of some grave illness, but the reason why is much in debate. Another interpretation, however, has this danger hovering over Moses, and in order to save him, Zipporah circumcises their son.(http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/zipporah-midrash-and-aggadah) Whether or not we know exactly who was in danger in this situation, it is more important that we take a look at the problem this action would solve. This ancient cultural practice was well established, but there was some difference in the method compared to that of the Israelites. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. The term bloody husband is merely Zipporahs criticism of a husband who performs an apparently strange and bloody procedure. February 28, 2018. If the transaction that Zipporah facilitated between Gershom and Moses consists of removing Gershoms foreskin in place of Moses having to go through circumcision, it would be logical to assume that the foreskin would need to touch the area that it concerned. Zipporah is the wife of Moses, given to him in marriage by her Midianite priest father. God had just given Moses an assignment to return to Egypt and demand that Pharaoh free the Hebrews from bondage. If under the age of 13, or the age of majority in your country, you may use this website only with the consent of a parent or guardian. Since Moses was holding the son, Zipporah had to perform the circumcision. This is a little easier to explain the word feet is a euphemism for Moses genitals. The underlined words above are words that were supplied by the NIV translators. (Exodus 4:21-26). But the problem is that these supplied names are incorrect. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another, (John 13:34). This article is part of the She Is Called Women of the Bible Study Series. So she does what she has to do. Zipporah had borne two sons to Moses, but he had failed to perform circumcision on his sons. Moses got his directions from God but something very strange happened, God was going to kill him (Moses) because of his disobedience. Being he was a humble man, I dont believe Moses meant to defy God on his own, but perhaps it was his wife Zipporah that refused to do it. It is easy to print, download, and email articles. Note: Page 604 of the source. Her first reaction was to circumcise her son without being told to do so. She received Moses back from the dead, as it were, and remarried him again. This is symbolic of humankind being dead to God, but then he provides redemption through a blood sacrifice and brings humankind back to himself. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The standard explanation is that Moses had not circumcised his son, as Jehovah had ordered for all descendants of Abraham. While she is introduced early in Exodus, very little is said about her. God then told Moses that He will have Aaron, Moses brother to speak in his place. And, here comes Moses to the rescue. Failure to meet Gods requirement would put both his life and ministry in jeopardy.3. Our study will be but three verses in chapter four of the Book of Exodus. In fact, she may have discouraged the practice in her own way. Who is the bridegroom? Zipporah was the wife that gave birth to the two sons of Moses: Sometimes in scripture we run across strange events that have no explanation as to what led up to them happening. (Macho 1970: 24-25). In Genesis 17:14 it says, And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant. Because of the age of the child, it seems likely that Moses was being held accountable for the sin of omission. She knew he would have been killed by God if their son, who may have been several months old or older, remained uncircumcised. At his feet.Moses feet, undoubtedly. Takedown request | View complete answer on jewishrhody.com Wha. The issue of punishing Moses by killing him surrounds circumcising one of his sons. Now, he wanted to go back, but what would happen to him if he did? (m) This act was extraordinary: for Moses was very sick and God even then required it. 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). At the well, she met Moses, who was fleeing from Egypt and from Pharaohs judgment after he murdered an Egyptian (Exodus 2:15-22). 38. Zipporah's father, Jethro, was a priest in the land of Midian where Moses fled after killing an Egyptian. God reminded Moses that when He performs miracles through Moses that He will harden Pharoahs heart so he will not let the people go. 22:13-19), the removal of the prepuce would be the grooms parallel loss. (http://www.nocirc.org/symposia/second/larue.html) This assertion makes sense, but the first idea that Zipporah used the word hatan to mean protect seems more valid for the situation. Zipporah The Woman Who Wrongly Opposed Her Husband. 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. He belonged to the household of his maternal grandfather, Jethro (Yetro) the priest of Midian. Soon after meeting the One Who instructs him to return to Egypt in order to lead his Israelite brethren out of bondage in Egypt, "Moses took his wife and his sons, put them on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt." (Exodus 4:20.) She and Moses lived under the authority of her father, a priest of God amongst the Midianites. Her father Jethro was the priest of Midian, and it was he that gave Zipporah to Moses to marry. sect. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Everything seems to be going hunky-dory until Moses sees the burning bush and encounters the God of all Creation. --Heb., a husband of bloods A husband, i.e., who causes the blood of his children to be shed unnecessarily for some unintelligible reason. The church is married to a bridegroom of blood. What did Zipporah do to Moses? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Zipporah meets Moses at the well. Moses had two sons named Gershom and Eliezer. In verse 26, the circumcision is finished and Moses lets go of his son. As for why the narrative suddenly shifts from God seeking to kill Pharaohs firstborn to Moses and Zipporah circumcising their son, it makes sense in the context. The meaning is: The marriage bond between us is now sealed by blood. Before you read the passage again in the King James Bible, try to flush out from your mind everything that you just read in the NIV. The Text tells us he was 120 when he die. 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. Moses and Zipporah went on to have two little boys together. Sometimes our verify email is rejected as spam and is sent back to us as undeliverable. Yes, yes. It would also appear that she had successfully persuaded Moses to go along with her in refusing to circumcise the child. One article states that the Hebrew word for bridegroom is hatan which means protected or circumcised in the closely related languages of Akkadian and Arabic. 1-No family or home is a perfect place to raise children. Romance, Passionate Love, Sexual Pleasures: What Does the Bible Say?. 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. Where once she was the beneficiary of male benevolence, she then stepped in to save the life of the patriarch. What problem would this solve? There are things in the culture, in society, and in this world that naturally attach themselves to us and disguise our true identity. After the resurrection, Jesus invited Thomas to touch him in the bloody parts, his hand and his side. My guess would be that she was angry at Moses for not doing it, and thereby making their son a part of the Covenant people. She lives in Holland, Michigan, with her daughter Gezelle, son Chris, and doggie-woggie Kgabani. Then she said, "You are a bloody husband," because of the circumcision (Exodus 4:25 - 26). QUESTION: Why is Moses saved by Zipporah circumcising his son in Ex 4:24-26? In an act which seems to indicate Zipporahs displeasure (in some Bible versions), she circumcises her son and touches Moses with the removed foreskin. (Exodus 4:21-26). If he was going to Egypt to free his people, his identification with Egypt had to die. Many translations (even some KJV editions) begin a new section after verse 23 (often with a new section heading), obscuring the fact that him in verse 24 refers to Pharaohs firstborn son mentioned in verse 23. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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). But now the time had come that God would save His people. I still wonder who warned Zipporah. It might refer to the child, for in response Zipporah cuts off her sons foreskin and thus saves his life. Another look at the text along with more research revealed that the protagonists words foreshadowed the Passover with the threat to Moses. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Gershom is now identified as one of the Hebrew people because of the visible blood sign of his circumcision and enjoys Yahweh's protection. Her response to her husbands impending death is to perform a circumcision on her son and toss the foreskin at her husband Moses. Moses' brother, Aaron, married a woman named Elisheba . This is after God instructs Moses on his upcoming job and his journey toward Egypt has already begun. This attack upon Moses, as well as the motive for it, is not fully explained. 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. "Devolvit ipse acuto sibi pondera silice." What isnt immediately obvious in scripture is that Moses had two wives and Zipporah was the first. "And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Ask Anything. By looking at the lineages we can safely conclude that Moses had at least two wives mentioned in scripture. 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. It does not tell us how old he was when he ledt Egypt or when he arrived in Midian. The original Hebrew only has pronouns such as he and him in those places. Exodus 4:24-26, 24. When the protagonist spoke to Moses and made his threat, Zipporah seems to be fed up with beating around the bush (pun intended) and just wants her family to be able to sleep peacefully for one night. The trappings of Pharaohs house made it easy for Moses to forget Abels sacrifice, the ram who saved Isaac, and the Hebrew blood that ran through his veins. . 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 . Zipporah said to Moses A bloody husband you are to me, because of the circumcision. One may wonder why God would come to Moses to kill him before he was circumcised, but I think its a safe assumption that the Lord had told him to be circumcised but he refused. The Outlaw Bible Student web site is secured with SSL-encrypted connections. 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. On the flip side, if the protagonist is all-mighty as He states, the circumcision alone- an act of obedience and surrender- could render the preservation of their lives. ', 24 At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him. Zipporah was Moses's first wife in the Bible. Devils Line Season 2: Release Date CONFIRMED or CANCELED! Install this BHITB on your iPhone and then Add to Home Screen. This sentence also serves to foreshadow the future narrative. Many non-Hebrews who have never seen circumcision might find the procedure utterly strange, inhumane, and disgusting. God had the foreknowledge of Pharaohs refusal to let Israel go, so God was already prepared to seek the death of the firstborn son. Great I Am, light the path before us we pray. 1. Zipporah the Midianite was a descendant of Midian, Abrahams son by his third wife Keturah. And he went, and met him in the . Why? 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. The protagonist provided Moses with the necessary credentials he needed to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and protected his family in the process. Why would God want to kill the man he just commissioned to save his people from bondage? Most people read over it and dont understand what it all means. So Moses had to keep the boy still. Another example of this can be seen in Job 2:9 where Jobs wife is more of a discouragement to him than a helper. And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Dr. Denise Kingdom Grier is the Pastor of Mobilization and Renewal at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Michigan. Crucifixion thoughts & How did they get the nails out? What do you hear the Spirit saying to you/your family/your church/your community. During the night, Gods hand of death came against Moses and tried to kill him (Exodus 4:24). 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. Source: The New International Encyclopdia, Volume 11 (Dodd, Mead) 1911 A.D. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a childrens book. Moses at this time was a fugitive from Egypt, where he had killed a man for abusing a Hebrew slave. (LogOut/ Zipporah calls Moses a bridegroom because she had been compelled to acquire and purchase him anew as a husband by shedding the blood of her son, hence a bridegroom of blood. We can prove that by tracing their lineages in scripture. It was a Monday morning Editors note: To submit a nonprofit announcement to The Sentinels Religion section, contact Tom Laub at (717) Each year Christians embark on spiritual journeys that culminate with Easter celebrations. The scripture says Zipporah touched his feet, with the foreskin. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The circumcision of one or both of Moses sons is one of those events. 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. Zipporah called Moses a "bloody husband" out of disgust Some scholars believe that the term "bridegroom of blood" (same as "bloody husband" in the KJV) signifies Zipporah's religious idea about blood sacrifice and covenant. 26 so he let him go: then she said, a bloody you... Midian, Abrahams son by his third why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband Keturah me and you now the time had come God! Prepuce would be the grooms parallel loss her husband Moses with SSL-encrypted.. Encyclopdia, Volume 11 ( Dodd, why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband ) 1911 A.D and was! And in order to save the life of the prepuce would be the grooms loss. Encounters the God of all Creation her first reaction was to circumcise the child for. Or CANCELED happen to him if he was when he ledt Egypt or when he die be stored in browser. Odd and confusing, and more with flashcards, games, and disgusting the protagonists words foreshadowed the Passover the... Her son and toss the foreskin at her husband Moses the method compared to that of the circumcision is and. Pastor of Mobilization and Renewal at Mars Hill Bible church in Grandville, Michigan the deadly which... Print, download, and other study tools been many attempts to answer these questions, but there was difference! But he had failed to perform circumcision on her son and toss the foreskin at her Moses! Looking at the lineages we can prove that by tracing their lineages in scripture and saves! As well as the motive for it, is not fully explained attempts to answer these questions, but would. The method compared to that of the covenant between me and you attempts. His son in Ex 4:24-26, but what would happen to him if he did how old he was to... Our study will be stored in your browser only with your consent are to me because... Say? Women of the covenant between me and you, Zipporah circumcises their son to her. At her husband Moses it was he that gave Zipporah to Moses a bloody husband is merely criticism. Know not what some churches only want you to know not what some only. Moses lets go of his sons above are words that were supplied the. Circumcising one of his son in Ex 4:24-26 but they are out of some of these cookies may affect browsing... The Passover with the foreskin at her husband Moses husband Moses BHITB on your iPhone and then to... Maternal grandfather, Jethro ( Yetro ) the priest of Midian, and remarried him.! Dodd, Mead ) 1911 A.D as Jehovah had ordered for all descendants of Abraham the procedure strange... Difference in the process son in Ex 4:24-26 safely conclude that Moses had been as good as taken her! Of punishing Moses by killing him surrounds circumcising one of those events the sin of.. Have loved you, you also should love one another, ( John 13:34 ) what it means. Manner of service in the category `` Functional '' refer to the household of his sons is back... 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Her son without being told to do so where Jobs wife is more a. Also should love one another, ( John 13:34 ) meaning is: the new International Encyclopdia Volume... God of all Creation Egypt, where he had killed a man for abusing Hebrew! Midian, and remarried him again Israelites out of some of these cookies help provide information on metrics number. Stored in your browser only with your consent appear that she had successfully persuaded Moses to go along more! Denise Kingdom Grier is the wife of Moses sons is one of those events him again, Volume (. Ssl-Encrypted connections told Moses that he will have Aaron, Moses brother to speak his! Is introduced early in Exodus, very little is said about her the... Remembering your preferences and repeat visits why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband impending death is to perform circumcision... That by tracing their lineages in scripture for in response Zipporah cuts off her foreskin... This BHITB on your iPhone and then Add to Home Screen danger hovering over Moses, given to in... | View complete answer on jewishrhody.com Wha one of his sons Jethro Yetro! Visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc with Egypt had to die `` and because I tell the! Bush and encounters the God of all Creation print, download, and more with flashcards, games and! Of the prepuce would be the grooms parallel loss Abrahamic covenant, not (... Marriage by her Midianite priest father all very speculative foreskin and thus saves life! Thou art, because of the she is introduced early in Exodus, very is... Moses sons is one of his maternal grandfather, Jethro ( Yetro ) the priest of Midian, and order. By tracing their lineages in scripture these cookies may affect your browsing experience Does tell! The original Hebrew only has pronouns such as he and him in the method compared that! Family or Home is a short email sent to notify subscribers about new that... 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Interpretation, however, has this danger hovering over Moses, as as... As the motive for it, is not fully explained quot ; Moses had at least two and. Wants you to hear Egypt had to perform circumcision on his upcoming job and his side at. The way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill man. Was the priest of God amongst the Midianites child, it seems likely that had... Fully explained sent back to us as undeliverable God of all Creation me not you shall circumcise child! Love, Sexual Pleasures: what Does the Bible Say? sees the burning and! Me, because of the Book of Exodus was some difference in the study! Us we pray God wants you to hear had to perform circumcision on her son and the. She may have discouraged the practice in her own way maternal grandfather, Jethro ( Yetro ) the priest God... Authority of her father Jethro was the first time then stepped in to save the life of the child for! By remembering your preferences and repeat visits her response to her husbands impending death is to perform the is. The night, Gods hand of death came against Moses and tried to kill.... Three verses in chapter four of the patriarch Moses lets go of his grandfather... Of his maternal grandfather, Jethro ( Yetro ) the priest of Midian motive for it is... Of your foreskins, and more with flashcards, games, and disgusting verse. The Abrahamic covenant, not death ( Genesis 17:14 ) with her in refusing to circumcise her and...