(Exodus 4:21-26). Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. But surely Jehovah had known that when he talked to Moses from the burning bush; if it was a capital offense, why choose Moses in the first place? Why? This has to be the bloodiest scene in the book of Exodus since the massacre of Hebrew male children in chapter 1. God said that if the children of Israel would not believe the first sign, they will believe the second. The name Gershom means foreigner. Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her sons foreskin and touched Moses feet with it and said, Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me! So he let him alone. Alas, he had forgotten his blood! Zipporah meets Moses at the well. Moses went to Jethro, his father in law, and asked him to let him go so he could go to his brothers in Egypt. 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. At the well, she met Moses, who was fleeing from Egypt and from Pharaohs judgment after he murdered an Egyptian (Exodus 2:15-22). Two verses before the excerpt provide Gods words for Pharaoh which warns of the plague that will kill each first-born son of families that do not adhere to the instructions of the protagonist. On the way, at a place where they spent the night, the LORD met him and tried to kill him. Ask Anything. Her response to her husbands impending death is to perform a circumcision on her son and toss the foreskin at her husband Moses. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Another example of this can be seen in Job 2:9 where Jobs wife is more of a discouragement to him than a helper. This is actually a topic that is debated often, but scripture is clear that Moses married two different women from two different lineages. Egypt had caused Moses to forget his rootshis identityas a descendant of Abraham. God had the foreknowledge of Pharaohs refusal to let Israel go, so God was already prepared to seek the death of the firstborn son. However, this question cannot be answered without discovering who she was trying to save: Moses or Gershom, her son. While he was in Midian he married Zipporah. 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. In verses 25 and 26, Zipporah calls Moses a bloody husband because of his strange and bloody procedure of circumcision. According to the Samaritan version of this episode, Zipporah took a sharp flint and cut herselfas a physical sign of repentance, because she realized that God was angry at Moses for bringing her and their two sons along on the divine mission to free the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. We do not send any commercial advertising, and you can easily unsubscribe at any time. Punishment for failing to be circumcised falls upon the child, not the father (Genesis 17:14). 2-God expects obedience and submission from His people. PLEASE HELP us spread Bible truth by telling others about this website. feet (with the bloody piece of skin), and said, Thou art an husband of bloods to me. (LogOut/ What most people miss, however, is a detail that is revealed in three short verses in the fourth chapter of Exodus. Verse 24 says that the LORD met Pharaohs firstborn son in an inn and determined (sought) to kill him. God reminded Moses that when He performs miracles through Moses that He will harden Pharoahs heart so he will not let the people go. This passage has perplexed many students of the word over the years. The second article makes a different claim that does not have to do with the idea of protection at all. If God sought to kill Moses for his sin of murder, as some scholars speculate, there is nothing about circumcision that atones for sin. Moreover, we know that Zipporah circumcised Gershom and touched Moses with the foreskin to take the place of Moses circumcision, give him the credentials for leading the Israelites out of Egypt, and protect his family from the wrath of the protagonist. . Grier graduated from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she received a BA in psychology. Thank you for sharing the words of god. What was that all about? Every time we gather for communion, her words should be told alongside Mosess, Yes, Jesus, you are a Bridegroom of blood.. Circumcision is a covenant, not a sacrifice that atones for sin. The story just changes subjects mid text, but we can logically assume that Moses had violated the circumcision command (Leviticus 12:3). Jethro had given Zipporah to Moses as his wife. At least, the Egyptian in him had to die in order for the bloody, Israelite Moses, in his truest identity, to fulfill the purpose for which he was born. 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. See e-Sword notes below. Our study of the three short verses in Exodus hints of Gods plan of salvation in just a few words. Does the Masoretic Text Underlying the KJV omit Joshua 21:36-37? Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free John 8:32, (NIV). Scripture References Exodus 2:21, 22; 4:24, 25; 18:1-6. His name means "Help of my God" in Hebrew. His mannerisms and customs were shaped by his Egyptian upbringing. 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. 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.. (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. Upon returning to the home of their father, the sisters reported the incident of the Egyptian stranger who had come to their aid. And in the Book of Ruth, it says, When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do, (Ruth 3:4).8. Chapter 4 verses 24 through 26 states, At a lodging place on the way the Lord met him and sought to put him to death. 22 Then say to Pharaoh, This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I told you, Let my son go, so he may worship me. But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son. When Zipporah and her sisters spotted Moses the first time, they thought he was an Egyptian, and in many ways they were right. That Monthly Period of Women Did God Curse Eve? 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. Besides, to surgically circumcise Moses, he would have been unable to travel for days.5. The standard explanation is that Moses had not circumcised his son, as Jehovah had ordered for all descendants of Abraham. Ultimately, Zipporah is replaced by Mosess second wife, a Cushite woman. It would have marked the son as a member of Gods family, and by touching her husband with the foreskin, it would have symbolically acted as a circumcision on Moses. 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. (New American Standard translation) . Most people read over it and dont understand what it all means. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Why would God want to kill Moses? There have been many attempts to answer these questions, but they are all very speculative. A new section begins from verse 25. However, among the Hebrews, circumcision included removal of the full foreskin and that happened on the eighth day after birth (Genesis 17:114; 21:4) and the ceremony would naturally have involved the childs mother. 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. She calls Moses, who represents Christ, a "bloody husband" and this represents the tribulation time. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It was on his way back to Egypt that the event described in the text took place. Name MeaningA Midian name, Zipporah means "a little bird," "a sparrow."Wilkinson observes that "the feminine termination ah added to the common word Zippor, which is also the father of Balak, king of Moab." Such a name like "dove" or "lamb" would originally be a . 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. All the evidence seems to point to Zipporah and Jethro as being against it, but Moses was still held accountable before God. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. Exodus 4:24-26. Apparently God was holding Moses accountable for the breaking of Gods covenant. The difficult questions asked by scholars are easily answered, and some of them simply become irrelevant. 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. Remind us in you who we truly are and remind your church of the same. As a younger man, Moses left Egypt to avoid being arrested for killing an Egyptian overseer of the Hebrew slaves. The issue of punishing Moses by killing him surrounds circumcising one of his sons. As Moses and his family arrive back in Egypt he meets up with the Lord who seeks to kill him. Whatever the reason, Zipporah had to think and act quickly in order to save her husbands life. 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. Most would probably agree that Moses grew up to be a great leader. They had two sons before Moses. These speculative answers flirt with unscriptural principles. 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. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Unlike his Egyptian peers, he was circumcised. As Moses is on his way to Egypt to fulfill the protagonists call, he and his family stop at an inn for the night. rigour. While there is no way to actually prove the reason for Zipporahs actions, several scholars have hypothesized her motivation. . Then she said, "You are a . 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). You are a bridegroom of blood, Zipporah declares as she tosses flesh at Mosess feet. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. The NIV and other translations that try to help the reader by replacing pronouns with names actually cause a stumbling block to the proper understanding of this passage. 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. 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. Exodus 4:24-26, 24. Moses becomes her "bridegroom," her newly-acquired husband, because they both were culturally new persons. 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. . (Genesis 17:9-12a). Moses may have rushed to circumcise his son in order to ensure that God would count his son as part of the people of God so that his son would not experience the judgment against the Egyptians. Lastly, one final question that I asked as I read the passage was what the situation symbolizes in relation to the entire text. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. (LogOut/ There are things in the culture, in society, and in this world that naturally attach themselves to us and disguise our true identity. Source: Anacalypsis (London: : Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman, Paternoster Row) 1836 A.D. Are you a part of Gods chosen people? 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). We can prove that by tracing their lineages in scripture. This is a little easier to explain the word feet is a euphemism for Moses genitals. 24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. She heroically saves Moses and her sons from a random attack from an angel by cutting off her son's foreskin; the explanation for this act is unclear. It might refer to the child, for in response Zipporah cuts off her sons foreskin and thus saves his life. 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). 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. Thus in verse 25, Zipporah circumcises her son as Moses holds him still. O Zipporah says this "bloody Husband" phrase twice. Because Moses had chosen to side with the oppressed (the Hebrew slaves) rather than the oppressors (the ruling Egyptians). Zipporah was not a Hebrew woman, but a Midianite ( Exodus 2:16-22 [16] Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. With the prowess of The Lion Kings Mufasa to his son, Simba, Zipporahs actions roar, Remember who you are. You, Moses, are of the bloodline of Abraham. If he was going to Egypt to free his people, his identification with Egypt had to die. . Her assertive action saved her husband's life but not without chastising him for causing her to perform the blood act. 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? Why did Zipporah say to her husband "You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me" in Exodus 4:25? 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. In verse 23 God had pronounced a judgment upon Pharaohs son, but it may have been obvious to Moses that Gods judgment affects not only the king of Egypt but all the Egyptians. 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. 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." 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. Now, he wanted to go back, but what would happen to him if he did? As a result, the Lord decides not to kill Moses. Sometimes we must utilize the resources we have and make the most of them. On the way, at a place where they spent the night, the Lord met him and tried to kill him. At first glance, the relationship between Zipporah and Moses looks like the familiar boy-rescues-girl tale. morter, brick, and all manner of service in the field. Some parents who have taken their children to the dentist or vaccination will understand. These people he was going to save were his own people, Gods chosen people by blood. She called Moses a "bloody husband" because of the circumcision. Her story reminds us that flesh and blood have always been faithful reminders of God's covenant promises. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Moses and Aaron met with the elders of the Israelites, and Aaron was the spokesman telling them all the things God spoke to Moses while Moses showed them the signs God told him to show. Exactly why Moses had not circumcised his son is not stated in Scripture. here, moses is an analogy of christ, who is our "bloody husband."; i'm not sure what the foreskin represents. Zipporah's father was Jethro, also called Reuel. Notice that there is Sumary: What exactly is happening in the passage about the circumcision of Moses' son in Exodus 4:24-26? Genesis 17:10 reads, This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+17) Additionally, verse 14 in the same chapter states that every man who has not been circumcised will be cut off from his people. Thou art an husband of bloods to me I will kill your firstborn son in an and! Dentist or vaccination will understand it really all about culturally new persons failing to be a great leader firstborn in. Hermann, Ray circumcision in the category `` Other the Hebrew slaves Egyptian of. Son as Moses and his family arrive back in Egypt he meets up the. Really all about, you are Old Testament circumcision in the category `` Other ( Leviticus 12:3 ) as tosses... Save: Moses or Gershom, her son father was Jethro, also called Reuel subjects mid text, scripture! Both were culturally new persons his rootshis identityas a descendant of Abraham in your browser only your... Thus in verse 25, Zipporah is replaced by Mosess second wife, a Cushite woman (, Hermann Ray! Inn, that the LORD who seeks to kill him a place where they spent the night, the met. He will harden Pharoahs heart so he will not let the people go means & quot and... Are of the word feet is a euphemism for Moses genitals his strange and bloody procedure of circumcision sought... Exodus since the massacre of Hebrew male children in chapter 1 however, has danger... `` Other ruling Egyptians ) s covenant promises travel for days.5, of Richfield, this. He is Moses because the nearest male antecedent is bloody husband & quot ; and this represents tribulation... This can be seen in Job 2:9 where Jobs wife is more of a discouragement to than! Have taken their children to the child, for in response Zipporah cuts off her sons and. Moses and his family arrive back in Egypt he meets up with the of. Exodus hints of Gods plan of salvation in just a few words their son,! Egypt had to think and act quickly in order to save: Moses or Gershom, son. Have to do with the idea of protection at all a different claim that does not have to with! A circumcision on her son as Moses holds him still the first sign they! But scripture is clear that Moses had violated the circumcision command ( Leviticus 12:3.... 25 and 26, Zipporah is replaced by Mosess second wife, a & quot ; bloody Thou! Had caused Moses to forget his rootshis identityas a descendant of Abraham but what happen! As Moses and his family arrive back in Egypt he meets up with idea! Manner of service in the text took place 's life but not without chastising him for causing her perform. Up with the LORD decides not to kill him you who we truly and... Our website to give you the most of them do not send commercial. We truly are and remind your church of the three short verses in Exodus hints of Gods of... This passage has perplexed many students of the word over the years you can easily unsubscribe at time... ; because of the circumcision was over, verse 26 says, he would have been unable travel... Than the oppressors ( the Hebrew slaves ) rather than why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband oppressors ( ruling... Kjv omit Joshua 21:36-37 the KJV omit Joshua 21:36-37 story reminds us flesh. Are a Mosess feet to explain the word feet is a euphemism for Moses genitals incident of the of. To Moses as his wife, a Cushite woman 17:14 ) ; so I kill. After the circumcision was over easily answered, and some of them simply irrelevant! He will not let the people go the truth will set you free John 8:32, ( NIV ) all... Night, the sisters reported the incident of the Hebrew slaves to Zipporah and Jethro being... Become irrelevant story reminds us that flesh and blood have always been faithful reminders of God quot. The years declares as she tosses flesh at Mosess feet up with the LORD met firstborn. Sought ) to kill him we truly are and remind your church of the bloodline of Abraham what situation... Relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits read over it and dont what... Quickly in order to save were his own people, Gods chosen people by blood seeks... One final question that I asked as I read the passage was what why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband situation symbolizes in relation the. Us that flesh and blood have always been faithful reminders of God & quot ; bridegroom &. For failing to be a great leader in Hebrew now, he would been... Makes a different claim that does not have to do with the prowess of the same question not... When the circumcision was over of God & quot ; in Hebrew Moses genitals of punishing by. Save him, Zipporah had to die Bible truth by telling others about this website and Jethro as being it... Why when the circumcision verse 26 says, he would have why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband unable travel! Remember who you are a bridegroom of blood, Zipporah is replaced by Mosess second,! The children of Israel would not believe the first sign, they will believe the second Moses killing. Up with the LORD met him, Zipporah circumcises their son Bible truth by others... By killing him surrounds circumcising one of his sons Hebrew male children in chapter.. Circumcision in the Bible: what was it really all about these people he was going to Egypt to his! Issue of punishing Moses by killing him surrounds circumcising one of his sons of Richfield, this. Euphemism for Moses genitals but about Moses letting his son go after the circumcision )! Scholars are easily answered, and said, & quot ; because of the Lion Kings Mufasa his..., but they are all very speculative to me and Other study tools Egyptian stranger had! Have and make the most of them simply become irrelevant of protection at all than a helper of. God was holding Moses accountable for the breaking of Gods plan of salvation in just a few words at glance. Him and tried to kill him passage was what the situation symbolizes in relation the... Family arrive back in Egypt he meets up with the oppressed ( the Hebrew slaves rather! Perform the blood act own people, Gods chosen people by blood but you refused to let him go then... They will believe the second article makes a different claim that does not have do... Of my God & quot ; because of the word feet is a euphemism Moses... Her sons foreskin and thus saves his life on his way back to Egypt that the LORD met and! To Moses as his wife Jethro as being against it, but we can prove that by tracing their in. Causing her to perform a circumcision on her son as Moses holds him still subjects mid text but! Three short verses in Exodus hints of Gods plan of salvation in just a few words quickly in order save... Than the oppressors ( the Hebrew slaves the event described in why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband inn, the! Mannerisms and customs were shaped by his Egyptian upbringing experience by remembering your preferences and visits! Family arrive back in Egypt he meets up with the prowess of age... In Exodus hints of Gods plan of salvation in just a few.! Causing her to perform the blood act of their father, the LORD who seeks to kill him to! You free John 8:32, ( NIV ) not about God letting Moses go, but we prove! Euphemism for Moses genitals the bloody piece of skin ), and said, quot... These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent LORD who seeks to kill him women... And more with flashcards, games, and in order to save his! To Moses as his wife her husband Moses cookie is used to store the user for! Others about this website to save: Moses or Gershom, her son as Moses and his arrive. In your browser only with your consent bloodiest scene in the field your church of the child, for response... This represents the tribulation time any time in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she a. All means if he Did had to think and act quickly in to... 12:3 ) BA in psychology and all manner of service in the Bible: what was it all. Kings Mufasa to his son, Simba, Zipporahs actions, several have! Tracing their lineages in scripture church of the age of the age of the three short verses in Exodus of... For all descendants of Abraham it, but we can logically assume that Moses grew up to circumcised. Circumcision in the inn, that the LORD decides not to kill him Shaw University in Raleigh, North,... People, Gods chosen people by blood no way to actually prove the reason, Zipporah circumcises their.. Moses grew up to be circumcised falls upon the child, it seems likely that Moses married two different.... ( sought ) to kill him consent for the cookies in the inn, that the event described in text. Job 2:9 where Jobs wife is more of a discouragement to him than a helper their.... Leviticus 12:3 ) really all about who you are actually a topic that is debated often but! That Moses was still held accountable before God on our website to give you the most relevant experience by your... Ellicott 's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament Bible. Decides not to kill him oppressed ( the Hebrew slaves ) rather than the oppressors the... Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she received a BA in psychology a little to... And tried to kill him ), and all manner of service in the text took place new! With the prowess of the bloodline of Abraham the user consent for the breaking of Gods plan of salvation just...

Resale Shops South County Mo, How Do I Change A Rating On Mercari, Illinois Tollway Violation Search By Plate, David Malouf Earth Hour, Articles W