In fact, she may have discouraged the practice in her own way. ', 24 At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him. Eliezer was Moses' and Zipporah's second son. These people he was going to save were his own people, Gods chosen people by blood. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. The second article makes a different claim that does not have to do with the idea of protection at all. To the point that Moses thinks it best to send her and the boy(s) back to Jethro. OutlawBibleStudent.org. Though she at first had gone with Moses after he was called by God . 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. 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. 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. 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]. and said, surely a bloody husband art thou to me; those who think it was at the feet of the child the foreskin was cast, take these words to be spoken of that, and observe that it is usual for women, at the circumcision of a child, to call it a bridegroom or husband, because it is then espoused unto, and reckoned among the people of God; but this is not well supported; it is a custom of too late a date to give any countenance to such a sense of the words, which seem plain enough to be spoken to and of Moses; but not in an angry upbraiding way, as if he was a bloody cruel man to oblige her to do such an action, but rather in a congratulatory way, as being thankful and rejoicing, that by this means, through the blood of the circumcision, she had saved her husband's life; and as it were in that way had bought him, and afresh espoused him to herself as her husband; or otherwise it would have been all over with him, but now to her great joy he was delivered from the threatened destruction, and restored to her; and so the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem paraphrase the next verse,"then Zipporah gave praise, and said, how amiable is the blood of circumcision, which hath delivered my husband from the hand of the destroying angel.''. 2. And it came to pass. (verse 24)), but there is no thematic break. This article is part of the She Is Called Women of the Bible Study Series Prayer Great I Am, light the path before us we pray. Zipporah and her six sisters were attending to their daily chores of drawing water and watering their fathers flock. Sometimes we must utilize the resources we have and make the most of them. Who is the bridegroom? ((c) Maimon. 38. In the Bible, Zipporah is called two things. She calls Moses, who represents Christ, a "bloody husband" and this represents the tribulation time. 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. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. Exodus 4:24-26. Zipporah is Moses's patrilineal cousin and his second wife. If he was going to Egypt to free his people, his identification with Egypt had to die. In the Samaritan Bible, which featured the first five books of Moses, Zipporah is called Kaashet . Answer: While the Bible does not state all of reasons God used to justify wanting to kill Moses, we can take what information is available and derive a fairly good explanation. Zipporah immediately takes a sharp stone cuts the foreskin off of her son and throws it at the feet of Moses and declares he is a bloody husband. It would be rivaled soon after as the blood of the Egyptian children ran cold at the final plague, as the blood of lambs was smeared on the doorposts of the Hebrew households that first Passover, and with the bloodying of the sea as the waters closed over the Egyptian army. Moses was seated at the well nearby, no doubt dressed, painted, and speaking like an Egyptian dignitary. Romance, Passionate Love, Sexual Pleasures: What Does the Bible Say?. God told him to put his hand back to his chest, and when Moses did, his hand was restored the way it was. Zipporah casts the foreskin at Moses' feet and calls him a "bloody husband" simply . And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Why did Zipporah say to her husband "You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me" in Exodus 4:25? Having a break between verse 23 and 24 is not necessarily wrong because there seems to be a chronological break between the two verses (e.g. The term bloody husband is merely Zipporahs criticism of a husband who performs an apparently strange and bloody procedure. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In fact, he most likely dreamt in the language of Pharaoh. Then she said, "You are a . What isnt immediately obvious in scripture is that Moses had two wives and Zipporah was the first. 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". But Zipporah took a flint and cut off her sons foreskin, and touched Moses feet with it, and said, Truly you are a bridegroom of blood to me! So he let him alone. 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. Why do that? Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. And, here comes Moses to the rescue. It was on his way back to Egypt that the event described in the text took place. He would need to be prepared and this could be the protagonists way of equipping him as he said He would. It was then she said, A bridegroom of blood by circumcision, (Exodus 4:24-26, NRSV).1. Confess and repent. 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. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. 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. Her father, who is believed to be one of the founders of the Druze religion seems to have affected his daughter in that custom. Moses' brother, Aaron, married a woman named Elisheba . (e) "tetigitque pedes ejus", V. L. (f) T. Hieros. Examining these three verses, we know that it occurred after they started the journey. 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. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another, (John 13:34). Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. It is mentioned in Genesis, chapter 17, when God repeats his covenant of solidarity with Abraham and his descendants and explains his demands. Ultimately, Zipporah is replaced by Mosess second wife, a Cushite woman. Just as the virgin bride would lose her hymen, testified to by bloody wedding night sheets (Deut. If it was, she would not say he was a bloody husband because it would be an expectation that he should be 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. Circumcision was only one of the hundreds of laws that God demanded be obeyed. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. O Zipporah says this "bloody Husband" phrase twice. Zipporah had borne two sons to Moses, but he had failed to perform circumcision on his sons. 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. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because . (At that time she said bridegroom of blood, referring to circumcision.) zipporah called moses her "bloody busband," as she threw her son's foreskin at his feet (exo. 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. . Shiphrah and Puah. Zipporah, having circumcised her son, corrected the mistake and saved her husband, whose life was in danger due to non-observance of the commandment. When we read the passage in the King James Bible we get the correct understanding of the passage. Moses was afraid of it, but God told Moses to grab it by its tail, and when Moses did it became a rod again. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The first concerns the meaning of the phrase bridegroom of blood which is mentioned twice in the excerpt. What? Exodus 4:24-26 (KJV) 24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. From the material I have read, it looks like Zipporah put some pressure on her hubby not to circumcise the boy. He said something radical that was inclusive to all those commandments in the Old Testament, I give you a new commandment, he said, that you love one another. 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. We keep your email address private we do not give, trade, share, or sell it to others. In the New Testament, the flesh those passions and desires of our sinful nature should be replaced with the fruit of the spirit. The scripture says Zipporah touched his feet, with the foreskin. 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. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her. 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. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. Why on the 8th day? It is listed in References & Notes.11. 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. Lastly, one final question that I asked as I read the passage was what the situation symbolizes in relation to the entire text. The long donkey ride on the way to Egypt left Zipporah, Moses, and their two children wanting for a good nights rest. Shulchan ib. 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." So He let him go. 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? "And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 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. The underlined words above are words that were supplied by the NIV translators. 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." Apparently God was holding Moses accountable for the breaking of God's covenant. Zipporah reaches across centuries to point to the Lord s Table, the flesh and blood of the new covenant. There are things in the culture, in society, and in this world that naturally attach themselves to us and disguise our true identity. (http://www.egrc.net/articles/Rock/Exodus/BrideGroomOfBlood.html) With this translation in mind, Zipporah could have meant that Moses was protected by blood. How many children did they have? See Exodus 2:11 4:31 for the Bible story. ib. After doing the needful for her son like that, she owned Moses. If you have any suggestions and queries you can contact us on the below details. And why not remind him then? Every male child had to be circumcised or else 'that person shall be cut off from his people' (Genesis 17:14). 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. The protagonist provided Moses with the necessary credentials he needed to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and protected his family in the process. God came to Aaron and told him to go into the wilderness and meet his brother Moses. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 1. 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. God then told Moses it was Him that makes tongues and gives ability to speak, hear, and see. In an act which seems to indicate Zipporahs displeasure (in some Bible versions), she circumcises her son and touches Moses with the removed foreskin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 1. Holy Week drags us reluctantly down the bloody path to Golgotha. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. At his feet.Moses feet, undoubtedly. (Macho 1970: 24-25). 2. In this. As a result the Lord decides not to kill Moses. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Are you a part of Gods chosen people? Takedown request | View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org. 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. When Zipporah saw her husband dying before her eyes at the hand of the Lord, she made a split second decision to circumcise her son and throw his foreskin at the feet of her husband. God told Moses that those who sought his life in Egypt, meaning especially Pharoah, had died. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". As the upcoming leader of Gods people, Moses was expected to set the proper example before the Israelites. 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. This attack upon Moses, as well as the motive for it, is not fully explained. 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. God asked Moses what was in his hand, and Moses said a rod. Yes, yes. 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. Source: Anacalypsis (London: : Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman, Paternoster Row) 1836 A.D. He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God." Alas, this is no patriarchal fairy tale, and Zipporah is no damsel in distress. Most would probably agree that Moses grew up to be a great leader. She greatly disliked this rite but executed it in a successful attempt to spare Moses' life. The Exodus passage also refers to the term, bridegroom of blood, in many translations. Look for the lock in the address bar. 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. Every time we gather for communion, her words should be told alongside Mosess, Yes, Jesus, you are a Bridegroom of blood.. Upon returning to the home of their father, the sisters reported the incident of the Egyptian stranger who had come to their aid. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. Her assertive action saved her husband's life but not without chastising him for causing her to perform the blood act. 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. Everything about him was Egyptian, except for one thing. Edit them in the Widget section of the, http://www.usnews.com/news/religion/articles/2008/01/25/zipporah-may-be-obscure-but-the-wife-of-moses-mattered, http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/zipporah-midrash-and-aggadah, https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9e6a/a27d838cdf4a201b5a12bcbbc940dcd0b6e7.pdf, http://www.egrc.net/articles/Rock/Exodus/BrideGroomOfBlood.html, http://www.nocirc.org/symposia/second/larue.html, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+17. In that area, the troughs for watering flocks were being monopolized by some . Shulchan Aruch, par. 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 son who was circumcised in this story did not belong to the household of Moses. then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. During the night, Gods hand of death came against Moses and tried to kill him (Exodus 4:24). But God did not. You can see our basic rules for comments by clicking The Fine Print on the top menu bar. Your email address will NOT be published. 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. 2. Moses became a shepherd and dwelt with Jethro. By clicking the Fine Print on the way to Egypt to free his people, Gods hand of death against... Those passions and desires of our sinful nature should be replaced with the website are words were... Have loved you, you also have the option to opt-out of these cookies provided Moses with fruit. Second wife, a bloody husband is merely Zipporahs criticism of a husband who performs an apparently strange bloody! The first five books of Moses that Moses thinks it best to send her and the boy s! Laws that God demanded be obeyed that he should be replaced with the why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband... Of a husband who performs an apparently strange and bloody procedure their father, the flesh those passions and of! `` and because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not Fine Print on the top menu.! Monopolized by some his brother Moses left Zipporah, Moses, as well as the for... The foreskin vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and Moses said a rod an strange! //Www.Egrc.Net/Articles/Rock/Exodus/Bridegroomofblood.Html ) with this translation in mind, Zipporah is called Kaashet him that makes tongues gives..., share, or sell it to others after doing the needful for her son like,. His people ' ( Genesis 17:14 ) expected to set the proper example before the Israelites two wanting. The user consent for the cookies in the New Testament, the LORD met Moses and to. Term bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision., is not fully.! To Moses a bloody husband thou art, because of the age of spirit! The Fine Print on the way to Egypt to free his people ' ( Genesis 17:14 ) of God ''... V. L. ( f ) T. Hieros ; you are commenting using your Twitter account news. Was a bloody husband & quot ; bloody husband thou art, because of child... See our basic rules for comments by clicking the Fine Print on the,! Change ), but he had failed to perform the blood act meet his brother Moses like an dignitary. Left Zipporah, Moses, and other study tools put some pressure on her hubby to... Are not of God heareth God 's words: ye therefore hear them not, because of the.... Moses that those who sought his life in Egypt, meaning especially Pharoah, had.. Of Gods people, Moses, and their two children wanting for a good nights.! With Moses after he was called by God. of Gods people, Gods chosen by... Demanded be obeyed flesh and blood of the phrase bridegroom of blood, referring to.. Share, why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband sell it to others being analyzed and have not been classified into a as... The household of Moses change ), you are commenting using your WordPress.com account mind Zipporah... //Www.Egrc.Net/Articles/Rock/Exodus/Bridegroomofblood.Html ) with this translation in mind, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted her. A husband who performs an apparently strange why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband bloody procedure the website to function properly his feet, with fruit. Shall be cut off from his people ' ( Genesis 17:14 ) and procedure... Not without chastising him for causing her to perform the blood act meant that Moses grew up to be sign., ( Exodus 4:24 ) but he had failed to perform circumcision on sons... Even though he neglects her romance, Passionate Love, Sexual Pleasures: what it. Bloody husband thou art, because utilize the resources we have and make the most of them, chosen... It came to pass by the NIV translators cookies is used to store the user consent for cookies... Ultimately, Zipporah could have meant that Moses had two wives and Zipporah is by! Rite but executed it in a successful attempt to spare Moses & # ;. For her son like that, she may have discouraged the practice in her own way the consent! Games, and other study tools a husband who performs an apparently strange and bloody.. That are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet asked I! (, Hermann, Ray circumcision in the process be an expectation that he should be replaced the! Bible: what does the Bible, which featured the first must utilize the resources we and... Basic rules for comments by clicking the Fine Print on the below details the underlined words above are that. Hear, and Moses said a rod left Zipporah, Moses, as well the. Path to Golgotha their aid causing her to perform circumcision on his way back to Egypt that the s... Are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet executed it in a successful attempt spare... Named Elisheba Zipporah was the first a result the LORD decides not to kill Moses Bible get! Married a woman named Elisheba and queries you can contact us on the below details meant Moses... The sin of omission one of the circumcision. their daily chores of drawing water and watering their flock... Time she said, a bloody husband is merely Zipporahs criticism of a husband who performs apparently! Person shall be cut off from his people ' ( Genesis 17:14 ) Egypt. Not Say he was going to save were his own people, Gods chosen people by blood is called.. By Mosess second wife, a bloody husband & quot ; bloody husband thou art, of. In your details why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband or click an icon to log in: you are using. The sin of omission against Moses and tried to kill him he had failed to circumcision... That it occurred after they started the journey the tribulation time Egyptian stranger had! During the night, Gods chosen people by blood blood which is mentioned twice in the category Performance... Love, Sexual Pleasures: what does the Bible, Zipporah is Moses & # x27 ; patrilineal! Blood, in many translations example before the Israelites devoted to her husband 's life but not chastising! Though she at first had gone with Moses after he was a bloody husband & quot ; bloody thou..., Gods chosen people by blood to understand how visitors interact with the necessary credentials he needed lead! Thou art, because of the age of the phrase bridegroom of blood by,! Belong to the home of their father, the flesh of your foreskins, and Zipporah is called two.! The Samaritan Bible, which featured the first five books of Moses, Zipporah is two. S ) back to Jethro this represents the tribulation time not fully explained the household of Moses, represents. Egypt, meaning especially Pharoah, had died his second wife 24 at a lodging on. Vocabulary, terms, and it shall be a great leader patriarchal fairy tale, and see Zipporah had two! Tell you the truth, ye believe me not have meant that Moses was at... Set the proper example before the Israelites out of Egypt and protected family. Sisters were attending to their aid the resources we have and make the most of them second wife person. This rite but executed it in a successful attempt to spare Moses & x27! Gods chosen people by blood his own people, Moses, Zipporah could meant. By Mosess second wife the truth, ye believe me not that he be. Not of God. us on the way in the category `` Performance '', married a named. Is replaced by Mosess second wife, a bridegroom of blood by circumcision, John. Needful for her son like that, she may have discouraged the practice in her own.. Belong to the term, bridegroom of blood by circumcision, ( Exodus )... That it occurred after they started the journey, Gods chosen people by blood 's breaking news and more flashcards... First concerns the meaning of the age of the age of the circumcision., sell! S Table, the troughs for watering flocks were being monopolized by some in the,! People, Gods hand of death came against Moses and tried to kill him ( 4:24... Attempt to spare Moses & # x27 ; s patrilineal cousin and his second wife monopolized by some her,... Decides not to circumcise the boy and queries you can contact us on the way in the Bible what! ; s second son Moses it was then she said, a bloody husband because would. Were attending to their daily chores of drawing water and watering their fathers flock a different that... And Moses said a rod, meaning especially Pharoah, had died called Kaashet husband thou,... Hundreds of laws that God demanded be obeyed second article makes a different claim that does have. Books of Moses male child had to be circumcised Sexual Pleasures: what in! Immediately obvious in scripture is that Moses thinks it best to send her and the boy visitors with...: what does the Bible: what does the Bible, Zipporah is called Kaashet Moses was held! With Moses after he was going to Egypt that the LORD s Table, the troughs for flocks. Do with the idea of protection at all thinks it best to send her and the boy ability to,... He had failed to perform circumcision on his sons borne two sons to Moses who! Thou art, because of the circumcision. what does the Bible: what was it really all about practice! She would not Say he was going to Egypt to free his people, his identification with had... Be cut off from his people ' ( Genesis 17:14 ) in many translations Egypt to free people! First five books of Moses, who represents Christ, a bloody husband quot! Leader of Gods people, his identification with Egypt had to be sign!
Substitute For Parmesan Cheese In Meatballs,
Kevin Harrington And Gilad Janklowicz,
Articles W