Answer (1 of 4): This is a very difficult Question to answer because this portion of Moses' life is pretty much presented in A-B-C straightforward chronological fashion, emphasizing only the order in which events occurred and giving very little credence or point of reference to the exact year(s) . Zipporah was one of them. He read the symbols on it, extended his hand, and took it. While she is introduced early in Exodus, very little is said about her. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her. Moses fled to Midian, which is in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Below you will see one of the sons Abraham had with his late wife Keturah. 45 And when Abraham had given all he had to his son Isaac, he also gave to him this stick. God used her to be a mother, a partner, and preserved her memory in His Word. 2:20). Cushites were of the ancestry of either Kush (Nubia) in northeast Africa, or Arabians. At some point, God told Moses to bring his family to Egypt in order to free his people. Additionally, those living in ancient Israel had to be circumcised if they wished to partake of the Passover (Leviticus 25:45 - 46, Exodus 12:43, 45). Mercy and compassion were to be shown to aliens. 4 And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abidah, and Eldaah. If youre equating marriage to sex that is not a biblical understanding. Im happy you discovered something new. Bless you and i will keep on follow and read the Word until i understand more. She and Moses have two sons, Gershom and Eliezer(Exod 18:34). We first meet Zipporahwho later became Moses's wifeat a well in her hometown of Midian. Your email address will not be published. Are there other non-biblical Jewish texts that would cast greater light on the Old Testament (Torah)? Moses siblings, Aaron and Miriam turned against their brother because he married someone who was not from the race or culture. Meyers, Carol, General Editor. Moses and Zipporah would have been married for over 40 years by this time, and it is unlikely that Moses' siblings would just then be protesting. God did not agree, punishing Miriam with leprosy to make an example of their bigotry and pride. Rabbah [ed. [3] In Exodus 2:18, Jethro is also referred to as Reuel, and in the Book of Judges (Judges 4:11) as Hobab. The most common translation is that Moses sent her away, but another grammatically permissible translation is that she sent things or persons, perhaps the announcement of the victory over Amalek. After Zipporah performed the circumcision, she took the foreskin and touched his legs (v. 25). "Zipporah: Bible." Zipporah is the heroine of a bizarre incident that takes place as Moses heads back to Egypt with his wife and sons(Exod 4:20). After the crown was given to Moses Adoniah the former kings wife married Moses. 11) with the conversation between Miriam and Aaron (chap. When he was with Jethro, he saw how fine were her actions. More research shows a biblical record that supports the information presented by Josephus concerning Moses war against the Ethiopians when he was the king of the Ethiopians. The last mention of Zipporah came while the Hebrews were camped in the wilderness near Mount Sinai. Moses marries Zipporah [ edit] in the Bible: A Feminist Approach. Zipporah, however, understood it and acted decisively to rescue Moses. Many people often assume that Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses because of his marriage with Zipporah: 12 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. Being married to a person with a passion or calling can be hard: Zipporahs husband confronted the most powerful ruler in the world at the time, saw God so much he was physically changed, and led people through the wilderness for forty years. The meaning of "Cushite" is uncertain. "Zipporah: Midrash and Aggadah." 2 And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. There, Moses stood up for seven young women who were drawing water who were being driven away from the well by shepherds. Its important that we study the scriptures our self, even the scripts we are told are not part of the sixty-six books that we have been left with. Because of the lack of context surrounding her actions, it can be easy to ignore the lessons her life provides, but there is quite a bit to be gleaned. From the day that God spoke to Moses your brother, he has not lain with me. Miriam immediately went to Aaron, and the two discussed the matter. Times 106 (1995): 203205. These midrashim depict Moses as not wanting to part from his wife and children, but rather as wishing them to participate in the formative process of the people of Israel. Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/kieferpix. The sons of Ham, mentioned within the Book of Genesis, have been identified with nations in Africa (Ethiopia, Egypt, Libya), the Levant (Canaan), and Arabia. Who knows, but it gives me hope to relate to Moses in this thing. Thank you for an extremely interesting read. Bible commentaries disagree whether this verse in Numbers refers to the race or originating people of Moses' first wife or to a second one he had after Zipporah died. He knew God wanted his son circumcised, and Zipporah felt forced to take action. The story is definitely the same, although the name of the Cushite (Ethiopian) queen is different, it is clearly the same history being recorded. 2:21), understanding the word va-yoel as a customary wording of a vow. God blessed them with children. Citizens born into the land were forbidden by God's law to "vex" (oppress or otherwise mistreat) those aliens around them as they, too, were at one time strangers in Egypt (Exodus 22:21, Leviticus 19:33). Another interpretation supporting the opposition to circumcision by women is that Zipporah began the circumcision, but someone else came and completed it (BT Avodah Zarah 27a). It was then that she said, A bridegroom of blood, because of the circumcision. If you are asking me to give you Zipporah, swear to me that you will not take her far away from me; I will give her to you only upon this condition. Moses immediately swore to him, as it is said: Moses consented [va-yoel] to stay with the man (Ex. The Bible records, "She gave birth to a son, and . Help us elevate the voices of Jewish women. 4:18): Moses went back to his father-in-law Jether [yeter], from which the Rabbis learn that Moses went to Egypt, but returned to Midian to be released from (le-hatir) his vow (Ex. Rabbah 2:33; Mann, Fragments from the Geniza, fragment 12, p. 95). When she saw that they swallowed him until the place of circumcision, she understood the danger, took a piece of flint and cut off her sons foreskin, whereupon the destructive angels relinquished their hold on Moses (BT Nedarim 32a; Ex. 39 And it was that whilst he prayed he looked opposite to him, and behold a sapphire stick was placed in the ground, which was planted in the midst of the garden. The members of Mosess family are not mentioned in the narrative of the ten plagues and the Exodus from Egypt and reappear only in the family reunion in Ex. of If we dont study then were only left with half the truth. It therefore does not matter what was the ethnic heritage, lineage, etc. 19:15): Be ready for the third day: do not go near a woman. All Israel withdrew from their wives, and Moses withdrew from his wife. Moses first Marriage was to Adoniah as previously mentioned and his second marriage was to Reuel (Jethro) the Midianites daughter Zipporah. [26] She is the main character in Marek Halter's novel Zipporah, Wife of Moses (2005).[27]. When Moses asked Jethro to marry his daughter Zipporah, Jethro had told him: If you accept the thing that I will tell you, then I will give her in marriage to you. Moses asked: What is this thing? To which Jethro replied: The first son born to you shall be for idolatry, and your following sons will be for Heaven. Moses accepted Jethros condition (Mehilta de-Rabbi Ishmael Masekhta de-Amalek, Yitro 1). 46 And when Jacob had fled to Padan-aram, he took it into his hand, and when he returned to his father he had not left it behind him. Instead, she was a married single for the rest of her life. The Rabbis also find an allusion to Zipporahs beauty in her name, which means gaze and see [zafu ve-rau] how comely she is (Sifrei on Numbers chap. According to this A type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules).midrash, Zipporah wanted to marry Moses, acted accordingly, and achieved her goal. and to be the occasion of the great danger the Ethiopians were in, when they had before boasted of their great achievements, she fell deeply in love with him; and upon the prevalency of that passion, sent to him the most faithful of all her servants to discourse with him about their marriage. At some point before the exodus from Egypt, Moses sends her and the children away(Exod 18:2). The Midianites were not Ethiopians, they are actually from the lineage of Abraham who Moses is also a descendant of. She takes a flint and cuts off her sons foreskin. 40 And he approached the stick and he looked, and behold the name of the Lord God of hosts was engraved thereon, written and developed upon the stick. Detail of Jacob Jordaens' painting "Moses and his Ethiopian Wife Zipporah," c. 1650. Yocheved was the daughter of Levi, Jacob 's son. Despite the difficulties in their relationship, Moses and Zipporah did have two children and were married for decades before he went back to Egypt. Moses fled to Midian, which is in modern-day Saudi Arabia. After researching this, I have found this statement was true, but not in the way that most people think. Zipporah is presented as the leaders wife, who suffers from the life of abstinence decreed for her husband. (Viewed on May 1, 2023) . But did Moses have a second wife? Hi I had been reading the book of yasher over Passover and Ive been finding it very interesting! Then at the age of sixty-six he went to the land of Midian and married Zipporah the Midianite. In return for her good deed, God gave Moses permission to marry her (Exodus 18:13). [3] In Exodus 2:18, Jethro is also referred to as Reuel, and in the Book of Judges ( Judges 4:11) as Hobab. Therefore, one of the interpretations asserts that God was angry at Moses because his son was not circumcised, and could not be identified as a Hebrew. Jethro was one of the magicians of Egypt, and when he saw Pharaohs staff with its magical symbols, he desired it and took it. This exegesis explains why only one of Mosess sons was uncircumcised, and why they were not in such mortal danger immediately after his birth, but only after they had left Jethros home and were released from his vow. The ribbons in her hat resemble a cross. It is called the book of Jasher and it is mentioned in Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18. Dont forget to share this with someone that needs it. Midrashic tradition assumed they were discussing Moses neglect of Zipporah. Episode 91: Israel at 75: Voices of Protest. A Mosque in the area of Medina, possibly: This page was last edited on 1 May 2023, at 22:54. After the exodus, her father, the priest of Midian (here called Jethro), comes to visit Moses, bringing Zipporah and her two sons. So here we see that Moses reigned over the people of Cush. Some people believe that the "Cushite woman" the text referred to whom Moses married was not a second wife, but Zipporah (via My Jewish Learning). You can see here that Tharbis is mentioned, not in the bible scriptures, but in the Josephus histories. Zipporah was the wife of Moses. The ones that are, are in the minority and they are a blessing. Why Didn't Moses Enter the Promised Land. The girls answered, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock." When Moses fled from Egypt to the land of Midian, he met Jethro's seven daughters, who were having some trouble getting enough water for their flocks ( Exodus 2 ). Reuel was so grateful, he decided to receive Moses as a guest in his house and offered up his daughter Zipporah to Moses to marry. Boast Not Against The Branches: Olive Tree Bible Verse Explained. He then planted it in the ground (Jasher 77:48) waiting for a man who was worthy to pluck it from the ground. In a third midrashic tableau, Zipporah initiated the conversation and spoke with Miriam, Miriam told this to Aaron, and he added to her words and the two discussed the matter. Thank you, for this informative article. And the Lord said to Moses, When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. Her father Jethro was the priest of Midian, and it was he that gave Zipporah to Moses to marry. 43 And when God had driven Adam from the garden of Eden, he took the stick in his hand and went and tilled the ground from which he was taken. [12][bettersourceneeded], "Cushite woman" becomes in the Greek Septuagint and Aethiopissa in the Latin Vulgate Bible version (4th century). When her father identified Moses as his future son-in-law, she ran to bring him from the well, and hence became his wife. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God. The circumcision performed by Zipporah is one of the most intriguing moments in the Bible, though the meaning behind her words is still unclear. Moses therefore fled from Egypt, and arrived in Midian. They were also bring the commanded sacrificial offerings when they committed sins of ignorance. He originally had a wife named Zipporah who was the daughter of a Midianite priest (Exodus 2:15 - 21). With the words to break bread" (implying marriage), Jethro hinted that Moses might marry one of them. Read the latest from JWA from your inbox. 4:20 relates that Moses took Zipporah and his two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, when he returned to Egypt, and describes an incident that occurred on their journey in the night encampment. In the Torah, Zipporah was one of the seven daughters of Jethro, a Kenite shepherd who was a priest of Midian. A Midianite, a Cushite, or both? Moses had killed an Egyptian by accident and fled to the Midianites since the Pharaoh sought to kill Moses. Now Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her home, along with her two sons. It is unclear whether she remained with Moses or returned to Midian. but I was confused in regards to you saying that Adoniah and Moses consummated the marriage?? According to the Rabbis, Miriam intended to praise her brother, and she wanted to increase procreative activity, but nevertheless was punished, because of the severity of gossip (Sifrei on Numbers chap. During his education he learned somehow that he was a Hebrew, and his sense of concern and curiosity impelled him to visit his people. Cambridge, MA: 1992. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. The most popular incident is when Moses is challenged by Aaron and Miriam, because of his marriage to an Ethiopian woman (Numbers 12:1). In a third tradition, the initiative to marry Zipporah came from Moses himself. The situation remains unclear to us. 17K views, 519 likes, 455 loves, 3.7K comments, 232 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from EWTN: Starting at 8 a.m. Lets look at what the scriptures actually say by starting in the book of Exodus. Losing mine has been so painful, but I know that pain will be swallowed up in Christ at some point, but for now I have to suffer it. Have an update or correction? In the Biblical account, when Moses and Zipporah were on their way to Egypt, they stayed in a night encampment, where they were in mortal danger: the Lord encountered him and sought to kill him (Ex. Thank you for this! Thanks for the expository (article). Her mysterious life leaves us with more questions than answers, but it does not mean her life was not worth studying. When we read the bible we see mention of the book of Jasher quoted above, which gives credence to its authority (Joshua 10:13, 2 Samuel 1:18). She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. The text does not reveal that Zipporah was the Cushite woman spoken of in Numbers 12. 51 And when Reuel saw the stick in the hand of Moses, he wondered at it, and he gave him his daughter Zipporah for a wife. Im pretty sure it was a source of inspiration for that popular story line. If the Rabbis identify the Cushite woman with Zipporah, and the word Cushite describes her positive qualities (her beauty and her deeds), what flaw did Miriam and Aaron find in her when they spoke against Moses (Num. This story sounds strikingly similar to the story of Excalibur. At the age of forty, Moses killed an Egyptian he saw abusing a Hebrew. ET on EWTN: Holy Mass and Rosary on Saturday, April 22, 2023 Tell us where you're. God hates divorce, and wants strong marriages, and communication is part of that. Purgatory vs Hell, The Truth. I love the explanation it has answered my many questions. Moses had married Zipporahone of the seven daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midianwhen he fled from Egypt after slaying an Egyptian taskmaster (see Exod. [23], Zipporah is often included in Exodus-related drama. Rabbah 5:5). [5] The word that makes this difficult is shelucheiha, the sendings [away] of her (Ex. When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. In the book of Jasher Moses was made king after the death of the Ethiopian King Kikianus death: 34 And they wished to choose on that day a man for king from the army of Kikianus, and they found no object of their choice like Moses to reign over them. : . This is the first time I have heard that Moses had an Ethiopian wife! Parents share responsibility for raising their children: The incident at the inn where Zipporah circumcised their son is difficult to understand, especially in a modern context. 39). All the Women of the Bible. Moses' First Wife - Zipporah Moses was an exile. What mattered was whether the "stranger" or non-Israelite was willing to be obedient to God's laws and thus become a citizen of Israel. Zipporah found very this difficult and she Miriam, forming a bond of feminine solidarity as Miriam lent an attentive ear and tried to help. In thanks, Jethro--known as the Priest of Midian--invited him to stay in his camp, and gave him Zipporah to marry. Yael Wife of Heber The Kenite: Midrash and Aggadah, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. The next documented moment in Zipporahs life came after the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt. Moses was that man, when he took it out the ground Reuel saw him with it, and it was at that moment he knew Moses was special, so he gave him his daughter Zipporah. Marriage takes hard work and clear communication from both sides: Zipporah and Moses did not always understand one another, and sometimes Moses got so caught up dealing with his responsibilities to the Hebrew people he forgot about his duties at home. On their way, at a night encampment, The Lord met him [Moses] and tried to kill him(Exod 4:24). 31 December 1999. Thank you so much for your, very much needed, information. Thank you so much. Additionally, the midrash portrays female solidarity between Zipporah and Miriam, with the latter lending an attentive ear and even trying to help her fellow woman. 99). In the midrashic amplification, Zipporah set out for Egypt with Moses, but never arrived there. And Aaron said to Moses, Oh, my lord, do not punish us because we have d15one foolishly and have sinned. The story is already difficult for the narrator, who adds a comment thathatan damimrefers to circumcision. Then you shall say to Pharaoh, Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son,and I say to you, Let my son go that he may serve me. If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son. At a lodging place on the way the Lord met him and sought to put him to death. Lieberman], Ki Teze 1, reads: milah [circumcision; i.e., stages within the circumcision] u- periah). Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. The Bloody Bridegroom: The Interpretation of Exodus 4:2426. The prevalent idea among the Rabbis is that a woman is qualified to perform circumcision; the fact that she herself does not require circumcision teaches that she is regarded as if she were already circumcised. According to the Jewish Women's Archive, when Moses killed a man in Egypt, he rushed to hide among the Midianites. 11:27) that Eldad and Medad are acting the prophet in the camp! Zipporahs reaction to this report was: Woe to their wives. This passage can be difficult to understand, and different thinkers and theologians have various interpretations of what happened here. 99). There are many mysteries surrounding the episode at the end of this week's parsha when Miriam and Aaron say something to Moses with regards to the "Cushite" woman whom he had married. A beautiful woman, she had received a special blessing that her comeliness would last her into old age. So the answer to the question, whether or not Moses married an Ethiopian has been answered, and the answer is, Yes! She then flings the foreskin at his feet, declaring that he ishatan damimto her(Exod 4:26). Moses defended the girls and watered their flocks. Strangers in the land were commanded to faithfully observe God's holy Sabbath Day (Exodus 20:10) and keep the annual Feast of Tabernacles in the fall (Deuteronomy 16:13 - 14). How To Worship God: What Is Spirit And What Is Truth? Rabbah 5:8). 18, before the Giving of the Torah, which is immediately presented in the following chapters (Ex. They answer that just as a Cushite has different skin, Zipporah was different, since she was more comely than all other women. While most people would feel grateful when a person saves their lives, Moses didn't seem to appreciate it. Everything belongs to Yah. But where did it come from? Below is an excerpt from the Josephus works. In the midrashic expansion, when the daughters of Jethro returned home, they told their father that a stranger had saved them from the shepherds, and he asked them: Why did you leave the man? [citation needed], Moses' wife is referred to as a "Cushite woman" in Numbers 12. 18:2). Zipporah was called a Cushite, meaning at least part if not all of her heritage was from Africa. There's not a lot mentioned about her in the Bible; however, she's known for one major thing and it's a bit strange. And not for a few months as Moses may have assumed. ", Reuel asked them. The truth is, as you have seen throughout this article, is that this assumption is based off a lack of knowledge and thorough study of the scriptures. Help us elevate the voices of Jewish women. He fled from the scene of a crimehe had murdered an Egyptian for being cruel to an Israelite slave. Ex. divorced"). Even if he got to keep his first wife concurrently with his second (from these records its a little unclear, maybe Miriam and Moses were telling Moses he should put away his Ethiopian wife who wasnt given to him in a spiritual way, and only have one wife, Zippporah, who was acquired in a spiritual manner).

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