Topical Encyclopedia Zipporah Zipporah, the wife of Moses, is a figure of considerable interest in the biblical narrative. She is introduced in the Book of Exodus as the daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Her marriage to Moses is marked by both cultural and spiritual intersections, as well as moments of tension that have led some to describe her as a contentious wife. Marriage to Moses Zipporah became Moses' wife after he fled from Egypt to Midian. In Exodus 2:21, it is recorded, "Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage." This union brought together a Hebrew man raised in the Egyptian court and a Midianite woman, highlighting the diverse cultural backgrounds that would influence their family life. The Incident at the Lodging Place One of the most enigmatic and debated episodes involving Zipporah occurs in Exodus 4:24-26. As Moses was on his way back to Egypt, the LORD confronted him at a lodging place, intending to kill him. The text states, "But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched it to Moses’ feet. 'Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,' she said. So the LORD let him alone. At that time she said 'bridegroom of blood,' referring to the circumcision." This passage has been the subject of much interpretation. Some scholars suggest that Moses had neglected the covenantal sign of circumcision for his son, and Zipporah's quick action averted divine wrath. Her words, "bridegroom of blood," have been interpreted as an expression of her distress and perhaps disapproval of the ritual, indicating a moment of contention between her and Moses over religious practices. Cultural and Religious Tensions Zipporah's Midianite background may have contributed to tensions regarding religious customs. The Midianites, though related to the Israelites through Abraham, had distinct religious practices. Zipporah's intervention in the circumcision incident suggests a complex relationship with the Hebrew faith and its requirements. Her actions, while decisive, also reflect the challenges faced by a family navigating different cultural and religious identities. Later Life and Legacy Zipporah's later life is not extensively detailed in the Scriptures. However, her father Jethro's visit to Moses in Exodus 18, where he brings Zipporah and her sons to reunite with Moses, indicates that she continued to play a role in Moses' life and ministry. Jethro's wise counsel to Moses about leadership and delegation further underscores the influence of Zipporah's family on Moses. Zipporah's legacy is one of complexity. She is a figure who navigated the challenges of being married to a man chosen by God for a monumental task, while also dealing with the cultural and religious dynamics of her time. Her account invites reflection on the roles and challenges faced by women in biblical narratives, particularly those who, like Zipporah, are seen as contentious due to their actions and words in critical moments. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 4:25Then 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 are you to me. Nave's Topical Index Resources What does it mean to “remember Lot's wife” in Luke 17:32? | GotQuestions.orgIs it biblical to call the wife of a pastor, elder, or bishop the First Lady of the church? | GotQuestions.org What are the roles of the husband and wife in a family? | GotQuestions.org Wife: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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