Lexical Summary Tsipporah: Zipporah Original Word: צִפֹּרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Zipporah Feminine of tsippowr; bird; Tsipporah, Moses' wife -- Zipporah. see HEBREW tsippowr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as tsippor Definition "bird," Moses' wife NASB Translation Zipporah (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs צִמֹּרָה proper name, feminine wife of Moses (bird); — Exodus 2:21; Exodus 4:25; Exodus 18:2; Σεπφωρα (compare LagBN 90 Anm.*). III. צפר (√ of following; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Identity and Historical Setting Zipporah was the Midianite wife of Moses and the daughter of Reuel (also called Jethro), priest of Midian. Her life intersects the formative years of Israel’s deliverer, placing her at the heart of events that shaped the nation’s Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 2–18). Though mentioned only three times by name, her actions reveal a woman of decisive faith who contributes to the unfolding redemptive plan. Marriage Alliance in Midian (Exodus 2:16–22) After Moses fled Egypt, he came to the well in Midian where he defended Reuel’s daughters from hostile shepherds. Reuel “gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage” (Exodus 2:21). This union forged a covenant bond between Moses and a family that feared the one true God, providing him refuge, employment, and spiritual preparation during his forty years in exile. Zipporah bore Moses two sons, Gershom (“I have become a stranger in a foreign land”) and Eliezer (“My father’s God was my helper,” Exodus 18:3–4), memorializing both Moses’ sojourn and the Lord’s deliverance. Intervention at the Lodging Place (Exodus 4:24–26) When the Lord commissioned Moses to confront Pharaoh, He met Moses “at the lodging place on the way and sought to kill him” (Exodus 4:24). Zipporah perceived the divine displeasure stemmed from their failure to circumcise their son in accordance with the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 17:9–14). Acting swiftly, she “took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched it to Moses’ feet, saying, ‘Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me’” (Exodus 4:25). Her faithful obedience averted judgment, underscoring the necessity of covenant fidelity for the leader who would represent God to Israel. Zipporah’s decisive act illustrates that spiritual leadership within the covenant community involves the whole household, not merely its head. Return to Midian and Reunion at Sinai (Exodus 18:1–6) Soon after the circumcision incident, Moses appears to have sent Zipporah and their sons back to Midian, perhaps for safety amid the impending plagues. Following Israel’s deliverance and victory over Amalek, “Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Moses’ wife Zipporah, after he had sent her back, along with her two sons” (Exodus 18:2–3). Their reunion at Sinai coincided with Israel’s receipt of the Law, allowing Zipporah and her family to witness the covenant ratification that her earlier act of faith had helped preserve. Role in Shaping Moses’ Ministry 1. Spiritual Accountability: Zipporah’s intervention highlighted Moses’ need to align fully with God’s covenant before confronting Pharaoh. Family and Descendants Gershom and Eliezer became part of the Levitical clan through Moses. While later genealogies focus on Aaron’s line for priesthood, Moses’ descendants served in various capacities (1 Chronicles 23:14–17). Zipporah’s sons, therefore, carried forward a testimony of God’s help and faithfulness. Lessons for Faith and Household Discipleship • Obedience cannot be postponed: covenant faith demands timely action. Typological and Prophetic Insights Zipporah’s act of applying her son’s blood signified substitutionary atonement, foreshadowing the Passover and ultimately the shed blood of Christ, the true Bridegroom who secures redemption for His bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:25–27). Legacy in Scripture Though Scripture records Zipporah’s words only once, her courageous obedience secured the life of Israel’s deliverer at a critical juncture. She stands as a testimony that supportive yet decisive faith within the household plays a vital role in the advance of God’s redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations צִפֹּרָ֖ה צִפֹּרָ֜ה צִפֹּרָ֥ה צפרה ṣip·pō·rāh ṣippōrāh tzippoRahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 2:21 HEB: וַיִּתֵּ֛ן אֶת־ צִפֹּרָ֥ה בִתּ֖וֹ לְמֹשֶֽׁה׃ NAS: his daughter Zipporah to Moses. KJV: Moses Zipporah his daughter. INT: the man gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses Exodus 4:25 Exodus 18:2 3 Occurrences |
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plait, braid, Ethiopic 
id.; Late Hebrew צְפִירָהֵ = rim of basket).