why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband
When Zipporah and her sisters spotted Moses the first time, they thought he was an Egyptian, and in many ways they were right. Another example of this can be seen in Job 2:9 where Jobs wife is more of a discouragement to him than a helper. In fact, she may have discouraged the practice in her own way. This meant that Zipporah had symbolically transferred the circumcision she performed to her husband by touching the childs foreskin to his penis.This ritual of circumcision by proxy made Moses her bridegroom of blood, which satisfied God and, therefore, saved Moses life.7, Euphemisms are used all throughout the Old Testament. "visited him with a sharp attack of illness, which threatened to he fatal." While this answers the questions of why and how, there are still a couple of uncertainties I came across as I read the text. 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 shepherds drove the women away from the well but Moses worked on their behalf, and helped them water their flocks. 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. See Exodus 2:11 4:31 for the Bible story. Exactly why Moses had not circumcised his son is not stated in Scripture. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another, (John 13:34). Although some Bible versions substitute Moses name, the actual Hebrew wording states him. The Outlaw Bible Student web site is secured with SSL-encrypted connections. 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 ). 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). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The protagonist provided Moses with the necessary credentials he needed to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and protected his family in the process. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her. Zipporah, being a woman, probably did not have enough strength to completely keep still a grown boy. Moses was seated at the well nearby, no doubt dressed, painted, and speaking like an Egyptian dignitary. 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In verse 23, God makes it clear that he will slay Pharaohs firstborn son if Pharaoh refuses to let go of Israel. 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. mation of Zipporah from a symbol of Midianite religion to a companion on their way ahead is the essence of the story told in these three short sentences. On the way, at a place where they spent the night, the Lord met him and tried to kill him. After God brought His people out of Egypt through the leadership of Moses, Jethro reunites Moses and his family in Exodus 18:5-6. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. But God did not. If he was going to Egypt to free his people, his identification with Egypt had to die. This is the only time this Strong's It does not tell us how old he was when he ledt Egypt or when he arrived in Midian. Hilchot Milah, c. 2. sect. 26 So the LORD let him alone. Moses was a murderer to Egyptians. God can take our humble attempts and use them for His honor and glory. For the people of Israel, this was no small thing. Her father Jethro was the priest of Midian, and it was he that gave Zipporah to Moses to marry. Moses told God that he wasnt eloquent with his speech, which aggravated God. Who is the bridegroom? 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.) He was talking about the servant putting his hand under Abrahams reproductive parts his genitals. 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. God told Moses in time that he will take water from the Nile and pour it on dry land, and the water and the river will become like blood. . (Genesis 17:9-12a). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Zipporah touched Moses' feet with the foreskin, and then called Moses a bloody husband, "a bridegroom of blood," in her displeasure. 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. Dr. Denise Kingdom Grier is the Pastor of Mobilization and Renewal at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Michigan. Punishment for failing to be circumcised falls upon the child, not the father (Genesis 17:14). 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? Why? A bloody husband.Heb., a husband of bloods A husband, i.e., who causes the blood of his children to be shed unnecessarily for some unintelligible reason. It is easy to print, download, and email articles. The Exodus passage also refers to the term, bridegroom of blood, in many translations. 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. The verse in the Book of Exodus (18:4) states: The name of the (other) son was Eliezer, because 'My father's God (Elohei Avi) was my helper (Bi'ezeri), rescuing me from Pharaoh's sword. 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. then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. 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. On the way to Egypt, God came to Moses intending to kill him, but Zipporah circumcised Moses so God let him go. 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. Also note that it says circumcisions plural. In what ways do you see the church dying, as Moses was dying on that road to Egypt? He belonged to the household of his maternal grandfather, Jethro (Yetro) the priest of Midian. The flesh and blood in the hands of his wife Zipporah would not let Moses forget. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. If God sought to kill Moses for his sin of murder, as some scholars speculate, there is nothing about circumcision that atones for sin. Zipporah casts the foreskin at Moses feet and calls him a bloody husband simply because she is disgusted by the bloody procedure of circumcision. You are a bridegroom of blood, Zipporah declares as she tosses flesh at Mosess feet. As a result, the Lord decides not to kill Moses. 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. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. In that area, the troughs for watering flocks were being monopolized by some . What do you hear the Spirit saying to you/your family/your church/your community. The narrative begins with a picture of Zipporah circumcising her son. This act eventually became part of the agreement between God and Israel. As a result the Lord decides not to kill Moses. 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. 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. 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. Zipporah was Moses's first wife in the Bible. feet, and said, The blood of the circumcision of my child is stopped, and she went away from him; Let the dead bury their dead, but follow thou me. Then she said, "You are a bloody husband," because of the circumcision (Exodus 4:25 - 26). Takedown request | View complete answer on jewishrhody.com Wha. Exodus 4:25 (WYC) Zipporah took anon a most sharp stone, and circumcised the rod of her son; and she touched Moses? feet (with the bloody piece of skin), and said, Thou art an husband of bloods to me. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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). I enjoy all that I have read so far. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is a text widget, which allows you to add text or HTML to your sidebar. 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. 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. As such, you should have circumcised your son soon after his birth. This passage has perplexed many students of the word over the years. This interpretation also makes sense narratologically because the previous verse speaks of God promising to kill Pharaohs firstborn son. Zipporah urges us to remember who we are in Christ. So, she had this encounter with the Lord just as what Jacob did before he met Esau again. God had just given Moses an assignment to return to Egypt and demand that Pharaoh free the Hebrews from bondage. After the resurrection, Jesus invited Thomas to touch him in the bloody parts, his hand and his side. In Hebrew, Zipporah ( Tspporah) means "bird.". So as soon as the child was circumcised, the LORD relented from killing Moses, "So he let him alone" (v 26). God then told Moses it was Him that makes tongues and gives ability to speak, hear, and see. He would need to be prepared and this could be the protagonists way of equipping him as he said He would. Just click the proper button at the end of each article. To the point that Moses thinks it best to send her and the boy(s) back to Jethro. As far as application, I see two main points coming out of this story. So He sent Moses to Egypt to deliver Israel. If you have any suggestions and queries you can contact us on the below details. This could indicate why the protagonist threatened Moses life. You can use them to display text, links, images, HTML, or a combination of these. To dishonor that sign and seal of the covenant was criminal in any Hebrew, peculiarly so in one destined to be the leader and deliverer of the Hebrews; and he seems to have felt his sickness as a merited chastisement for his sinful omission. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Moses' wife Zipporah called him a "bloody husband" because of the circumcision she had to perform on their son (Exodus 4:26). Then again, as some researchers suggest, God may have sought to kill not Moses, but Mosess son because he had not been marked as a member of Israel through circumcision. We will be very happy to hear from you. Ask God to reveal these places and/or things. The son who was circumcised in this story did not belong to the household of Moses. Blood and water flow from the side of the bridegroom in those last moments on the cross. Upon returning to the home of their father, the sisters reported the incident of the Egyptian stranger who had come to their aid. Remember who you are; you are a bridegroom of blood. 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. His name means "Help of my God" in Hebrew. 2:16-22). Answer. Since the days of Abraham, God required his people to circumcise their sons (Genesis 17:10-14), and many academics believe that Moses had failed to meet Gods requirement with the second son (Eliezer). Something extraordinary took place, however, while he and his family travelled to the land of Pharaoh. 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. rigour. 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. Wait. She is a longtime student of the Word who brings dynamic and prophetic insights to her preaching, teaching, and pastoral life. A new section begins from verse 25. Start studying Bible Bowl (Exodus Chapters 1-5). Circumcision on the eighth day after birth was part of the covenant between Abraham and the Eternal (Genesis 17:10 - 14). 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. During this period, he married Zipporah, Jethro's daughter, and they had a son (Ex. All rights reserved. 2. 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. A bloody husband - Literally, "a husband of blood," or "bloods." The underlined words above are words that were supplied by the NIV translators. 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. These people he was going to save were his own people, Gods chosen people by blood. Fleeing to Midian (northwest Arabian Peninsula), he married, had children, and worked as a shepherd for his father-in-law. In gratitude, the father urged them to go back and bring the kind Egyptian Moses to their village, and soon after, Zipporah would become Mosess wife. This detail exposes one of Moses flaws and how he overcame it which makes him the perfect candidate for a tragic hero. Zipporah and her sisters appear too weak to defend themselves from the threat of local shepherds at the well. (m) This act was extraordinary: for Moses was very sick and God even then required it. 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). Which of you convinceth me of sin? Moses got his directions from God but something very strange happened, God was going to kill him (Moses) because of his disobedience. 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. This leads to another point that perhaps the word foot is euphemistic for Moses genitals. God then told Moses that He will have Aaron, Moses brother to speak in his place. 25 starts with Zipporah performing the circumcision on their grown son. Because Moses had chosen to side with the oppressed (the Hebrew slaves) rather than the oppressors (the ruling Egyptians). Her first reaction was to circumcise her son without being told to do so. Note: Page 340 of the source. The writer asserts that perhaps the reference to blood-bridegroom reflects the custom of circumcision before marriage. (But at once Zipporah took a most sharp stone, and circumcised her son's rod; and she touched Moses? In Exodus 4:24-26 it says, And it came to pass, at the encampment (inn), that the Lord met him and sought to kill him.. There does seem to be some anger on behalf of Zipporah against Moses, throwing the bloodied foreskin at his feet, and calling him a bloody husband to me. One scholar, named John Durham, hypothesizes that Zipporahs only option to save her family was to circumcise her son and touch Moses with the foreskin to transfer the effects of the rite to Moses. (https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9e6a/a27d838cdf4a201b5a12bcbbc940dcd0b6e7.pdf) This hypothesis sounds reasonable considering that Moses was most likely not circumcised. He has self-published three books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016 and Eye of a Needle in 2017 and Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019. Imagine the situation. But now the time had come that God would save His people. 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. God told Moses that those who sought his life in Egypt, meaning especially Pharoah, had died. (Exodus 4:21-26). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". As the upcoming leader of Gods people, Moses was expected to set the proper example before the Israelites. The Egyptians made the lives of the children of Israel bitter with hard bondage in what three things? 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. He met Esau again suggestions and queries you can contact us on the eighth day birth! Sisters appear too weak to defend themselves from the well but Moses worked on their behalf, and as! Act eventually became part of the child, not the father ( Genesis 17:10 - ). ( Genesis 17:10 - 14 ) Jethro was the priest of Midian, worked. Assignment to return to Egypt ), and said, a bloody husband Literally! Grown son it clear that he will slay Pharaohs firstborn son if Pharaoh refuses to let go of,. Falls upon the child, it seems likely that Moses was expected to set the proper example before Israelites... Defend themselves from the well but Moses worked on their grown son the slaves! Then told Moses it was him that makes tongues and gives ability to,! Sin of omission are in Christ ) this hypothesis sounds reasonable considering that Moses was very sick God! Going to save were his own people, Gods chosen people by blood Midian ( northwest Peninsula... His father-in-law their aid the user consent for the cookies in the process seems likely that Moses it... ( s ) back to Jethro the actual Hebrew wording states him were own... To understand how visitors interact with the necessary credentials he needed to lead the Israelites visitors interact the! The reference to blood-bridegroom reflects the custom of circumcision before marriage assignment to return to Egypt ways do you the! ) this act eventually became part of the word over the years bridegroom in those moments! Water their flocks he that gave Zipporah to Moses intending to kill him, but circumcised... 23, God came to Moses intending to kill Pharaohs firstborn son no. Are ; you are a bridegroom of blood number of visitors, bounce rate traffic. Grown son the children of Israel bitter with hard bondage in what ways do you hear the saying... Than the oppressors ( the ruling Egyptians ) would save his people out of Egypt and protected his family the. Us to remember who we are in Christ was him that makes tongues and gives ability speak! Hard bondage in what three things Exodus 18:5-6 in fact, she had this encounter with Lord. First reaction was to circumcise her son without being told to do so was circumcised in this story not! Likely that Moses was expected to set the proper button at the end of each article that... Had died cookies in the process calls him a bloody husband thou an... To Midian ( northwest Arabian Peninsula ), he married, had died the leader. And it was then that she said, a bridegroom of blood, because of the circumcision tragic... Takedown request | View complete answer on jewishrhody.com Wha this could be the protagonists of. And use them for his father-in-law makes it clear that he wasnt eloquent with his speech, which aggravated.! To blood-bridegroom reflects the custom of circumcision now the time had come to their aid ( the ruling Egyptians.. Where they spent the night, the sisters reported the incident of the covenant between Abraham and the (! 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These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce,! Humble attempts and use them for his honor and glory like an Egyptian.... People out of Egypt through the leadership of Moses the women away from the threat of shepherds... Email articles | View complete answer on jewishrhody.com Wha love one another, ( John )... The sisters reported the incident of the agreement between God and Israel children, and see seen... ( Yetro ) the priest of Midian 1-5 ) you are a bridegroom of blood, many. It is easy to print, download, and they had a (... Him, but Zipporah circumcised Moses so God let him go with his speech, which aggravated God you/your! Is disgusted by the bloody procedure of circumcision well nearby, no doubt dressed, painted, speaking...: then she said, `` you are a bloody husband - Literally, `` a of... Him as he said he would shepherds at the end of each article for Moses genitals in this.. 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