The Rabbis ascribe many traits to Zipporah, whom they considered as differing from other women, in a positive sense, in both appearance and deed. Moses neglect of Zipporah is obvious, as he (not God) tells the men at Sinai not to approach any women in preparation for Gods approach in three days(Exod 19:2). Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and Groom? It may refer to the African country of Cush (see Gen 10:6; 1 Chr 1:8) or to Midian, the region east of the Gulf of Aqabah from which Zipporah came (see Exod 3:1, 18:1; Hab 3:7). In the Book of Chronicles, two of her grandsons are mentioned: Shebuel, son of Gershom; and Rehabiah, son of Eliezer (1 Chronicles 23:1617). After Zipporah performed the circumcision, she took the foreskin and touched his legs (v. 25). When Miriam saw the lamps, she exclaimed: Happy are these, and happy are their wives! Zipporah corrected her: Do not say, happy are their wives, rather, woe to their wives. God blessed them with children. In gratitude, Reuel (called Jethro or Hobab in other biblical passages) offers Moses hospitality, then gives him his daughter Zipporah in marriage(Exod 2:2122). 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. 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. Zipporah did not seem to always let Moses know what she needed. The answer is no: Moses never had more than four wives. 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. Like me, they never knew about Adoniah (Tharbis). Who was Moses' wife? 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. It might refer to the child, for in response Zipporah cuts off her sons foreskin and thus saves his life. Moses and the Kushite Woman: Classic Interpretations and Philo's Allegory, Jewish history, Jewish religion: the weight of three thousand years, "Moses and the Kushite Woman: Classic Interpretations and Philo's Allegory", "Jacob Jordaens and Moses's Ethiopian Wife", Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, "Proust's Aesthetic Analogies: Character and Painting in Swann's Way", The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, "Yvonne De Carlo, 84; Said Her "Munsters" Role Made Her Hot", Moses and the Kushite Woman: Classic Interpretations and Philos Allegory, Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy, With a strong hand and an outstretched arm, Current Ummah of Islam (Ummah of Muhammad), ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib ibn Hashim, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zipporah&oldid=1152724917, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from April 2014, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2019, Articles lacking reliable references from September 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Mother Abiona or Amtelai the daughter of Karnebo. A beautiful woman, she had received a special blessing that her comeliness would last her into old age. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. This passage mostly focuses on Jethro aiding Moses in getting help judging the conflicts among the tribes. Her private life is revealed by chance when her pain bursts forth and she unfolds her feelings before Miriam. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. Salem Media Group. Getting Closer to God Lessons from the Life of Moses. That being said I did not say Moses had sex with his Ethiopian wife in this article, they were just married. Note that God makes no distinction between those who are Israelites and those who are "strangers" (Gentiles, aliens, sojourners, those who were not of Israel by "race") in regard to the need to offer sacrifices, the ability to receive forgiveness of sins, and even the punishment for presumptuous sins! 42 And this is the stick with which all the works of our God were performed, after he had created heaven and earth, and all the host of them, seas, rivers and all their fishes. Another tradition explains that the numerical value of Kushit is the same as the Hebrew yafet mareh (beautiful). So everybody naturally assumes that she was the Ethiopian. The ones that are, are in the minority and they are a blessing. While this devotion is not a bad thing, it requires extra work to make the relationship work. Purgatory vs Hell, The Truth. In another midrashic account, Jethro agreed to the marriage between Moses and Zipporah on condition that their firstborn would be an idolater (see below). These scriptures should clear up any misunderstandings you may have had about these different names. In-laws have an impact in a relationship: Moses siblings did not like Zipporah and spoke badly about their brother because of it. The Healing of Moses Leprous Arm (above) and The Return to Egypt, and Zipporah Circumcising her Son (below).Courtesy of the John Rylands Library, Manchester. 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. So, when Zipporah refused, apparently, to follow him on his divinely appointed mission to Egypt, she abandoned him, which is why Moses had dismissed, divorced or sent her back (see Exod 18:2 where we read that Moses had "sent her [Zipporah] back", Heb. 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. 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. He asks him: Moses, where were you all these years? To which Moses answers: In Midian. Aaron further asks him: Who are these children and women with you? Moses replies: My wife and my sons. Aaron continued to question him: And where are you taking them? The answer: To Egypt. Aaron then tells him: We are grieving for the first ones [the Israelites who are enslaved in Egypt], and now shall we grieve for these, as well? Moses accordingly orders Zipporah: Go to your fathers house. Zipporah then departs for her fathers home, taking her two sons (Mehilta de-Rabbi Ishmael, Masekhta de-Amalek, Yitro 1). I cant tell you how much this helped me. Thank you! In each one, she seems to come into conflict with the culture of her husband, as well as being stuck between Moses the man, and Moses the prophet. Read the latest from JWA from your inbox. All these were the children of Keturah. "the written Torah." 17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. 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. 1 Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. In Numbers 12:1, Moses wife became the apparent reason for Miriam and Aaron's rebellion against Moses. 11) with the conversation between Miriam and Aaron (chap. Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. When the daughters of Reuel, a Midianite priest, were being harassed, Moses helped them. Much of the tension in their marriage is documented only after Moses began to step into his role as the liberator of the Hebrews. Rabbah [ed. The latter tries to help, and is punished. The Bible records, She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, I have been a sojourner in a foreign land (Exodus 2:22). Why are you confused. Invite him for supper to break bread." 2:21). Throughout the Pentateuch, Moses's wife is identified as Zipporah, a Midianite woman and the daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian (Exodus 2:21; 3:1). Rabbah 2:33; Mann, Fragments from the Geniza, fragment 12, p. 95). 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. These scriptures explain where the staff of Moses came from: 38 And afterward Moses went into the garden of Reuel which was behind the house, and he there prayed to the Lord his God, who had done mighty wonders for him. This passage reveals that sometime after the exit from Egypt, Zipporah gave birth to another son named Eliezer, and was either sent back, or returned to Midian to be with her father. In the midrashic presentation, Moses took them with him because he wanted them to be with the Israelites when they received the Torah (Ex. After the crown was given to Moses Adoniah the former kings wife married Moses. Lieberman], Ki Teze 1, reads: milah [circumcision; i.e., stages within the circumcision] u- periah). Aaron goes forth to greet his brother and hugs and kisses him. When her father identified Moses as his future son-in-law, she ran to bring him from the well, and hence became his wife. Numbers 12:1 is the only passage in the Old Testament where Moses' wife is identified as a "Cushite.". However, while Moses was uneasy at the armys lying idle, (for the enemies durst not come to a battle,) this accident happened: Tharbis was the daughter of the king of the Ethiopians: she happened to see Moses as he led the army near the walls, and fought with great courage; and admiring the subtility of his undertakings, and believing him to be the author of the Egyptians success, when they had before despaired of recovering their liberty. When Jethro invited Moses into his house, the latter entered the garden and saw the staff. God's anger led [] 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. Upon hearing her father, Zipporah immediately ran after Moses like a bird (ke-zippor, i.e., with alacrity) (Ex. 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. They then ask why she was called the Cushite woman, since she was a Midianite. Zipporah is the wife of Moses, given to him in marriage by her Midianite priest father. Later Jewish and Christian tradition . All in all, we can't say. Let us know. If we dont study then were only left with half the truth. The midrash explains how Moses and Zipporah could have had a son who had not been circumcised. 12)? In return for her good deed, God gave Moses permission to marry her (Exodus 18:13). I bless you for the information and now i have an greater understanding of the life of Moses and his wifes. As with other major Biblical figures, the venue of the first encounter between Moses and Zipporah, his future wife, was beside a well (Ex. This criticism displeases God, who punishes Miriam with Tzaraath (often glossed as leprosy). ", Reuel asked them. First lets see whether Moses was married to Zipporah. Her father Jethro was the priest of Midian, and it was he that gave Zipporah to Moses to marry. Your question refers to Numbers 12:1 that states his mate was a Cushite, a term often used to refer to African nations. 18:26, when Jethro brings Zipporah and her two sons to Moses in the wilderness, after she had been sent home (v. 2). At some point, God told Moses to bring his family to Egypt in order to free his people. It does show that both parents bore responsibility for raising their child up in alignment with Gods ordinances. All I ever wanted was to protect and provide for them. I have an better understanding also who Josephus the historian is and also the book of Jasher. 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. 4:2426. Vetus At the time of Moses marriage to Zipporah he was no longer married to the Ethiopian Adoniah (Tharbis). My prayers will go out to you. Zipporah is not well rewarded. Its worth reading and very insightful. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, I have been a sojournerin a foreign land), and the name of the other, Eliezer(for he said, The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh). 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. In the midrashic amplification, Zipporah set out for Egypt with Moses, but never arrived there. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Reuel's daughter, who became the wife of Moses ( Exodus 2:21).In consequence of the event recorded in Exodus 4:24-26, she and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, when so far on the way with Moses toward Egypt, were sent back by him to her own kinsfolk, the Midianites, with whom they sojourned till Moses afterwards joined them ( 18:2-6). To get the necessary information about how many wives Moses had, we have to study the scriptures more closely. With copies of The Book of Jasher in publication. The Israelite Samaritan Version of the Torah: First English Translation Compared with the Masoretic Version. Why Didn't Moses Enter the Promised Land. Lets look at what the scriptures actually say by starting in the book of Exodus. 24:34, which speaks of a bill of divorce. Another view maintains that he separated from her orally (and therefore this was not a formal act of divorce) (Mehilta de-Rabbi Ishmael, Masekhta de-Amalek, Yitro 1). Most focus on the clear teaching that Moses married Zipporah, a Midianite, during his 40 years in the wilderness (having fled from the presence of Pharaoh). According toU.S. News and World Report, removing the foreskin was mandatory among Hebrews, as God had told Abraham. A second tradition has Jethro deciding upon Zipporahs marriage to Moses after he brought Moses into his home and came to know his qualities. The Rabbis ascribe many traits to her; they considered her different than other women, in a positive sense, in both appearance and deed. : . In a marriage, spouses should support one another and help navigate the relationship with their respective relations. Book of Numbers 12:1 states that Moses was criticized by his older siblings for having married a "Cushite woman", Aethiopissa in the Latin Vulgate Bible version. In the above scriptures the queen of Ethiopia took a liking to Moses because of his abilities during battle. Jethro helped his son-in-law by encouraging him to delegate some of his responsibilities. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her. See e.g. 99). There, Moses stood up for seven young women who were drawing water who were being driven away from the well by shepherds. The Rabbis suggest that Miriam and Aaron talked about Moses having withdrawn from his wife. It explains the wars that Moses was a part of when he left Egypt. No reason is given, just as no reason is given for the angels attack on Jacob as he came back from Mesopotamia(Gen 32:24). 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. Other shepherds arrived and drove the girls away, so that they could water their own flocks first. 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). 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). Ashby, Godfrey. She and Moses have two sons, Gershom and Eliezer(Exod 18:34). This article helped to throw more light on issues and matters concerning one of the Biblical figures Moses. Those "strangers in a strange land," the non-Israelites of another race living in the Promised Land, received the same blessings as those natural citizens who obeyed the Eternal. What can her life and her decisions tell believers today about the human condition? Zipporah noticed her husband was at risk and swiftly used a stone to cut their son's foreskin. This book is mentioned in the scriptures but many people think it doesnt exist. Now you know that Moses was in fact married to an Ethiopian, you can go and educate others. Miriam and Aaron spoke about Moses because of the beautiful woman he had married, for he had separated from the beautiful woman he married. When the daughters of Reuel, a Midianite priest, were being harassed, Moses helped them. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2013. Alonso de Sandoval, 17th century Jesuit, reasoned that Zipporah and the Cushite woman was the same person, and that she was black. The text does not reveal that Zipporah was the Cushite woman spoken of in Numbers 12. 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. 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). Exodus 4:21-26. Moses then left the Ethiopians after forty years of ruler-ship (Jasher 76:5-12). 15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. According to the biblical narrative, Moses lived 120 years and was 80 when he confronted Pharaoh, but there is no indication how old he was when he went to see the Hebrews. New York: 2000. Tsedaka, Benyamim, and Sharon Sullivan, eds. Zipporah, or Tzipora (/zpr, zpr/; Hebrew: , ippr, "bird"),[a] is mentioned in the Book of Exodus as the wife of Moses, and the daughter of Reuel/Jethro, the priest and prince of Midian.[2]. On their way, at a night encampment, The Lord met him [Moses] and tried to kill him(Exod 4:24). According to Jewish tradition, Moses married Zipporah when she saved him from dying after God sent a burning bush to talk to him (Exodus 2:21-22). It is always good to study the Scriptures deeper and further. Unlike other women in the Old Testament, such as Sarah and Rebekah,it is difficult for us as readers centuries later to fully understand her motivations. Im pretty sure it was a source of inspiration for that popular story line. Zipporah the Midianite was a descendant of Midian, Abraham's son by his third wife Keturah. Intercultural/interracial marriages can work and are Biblical: Zipporah and Moses came from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Meyers, Carol, General Editor. In the Torah, Zipporah was one of the seven daughters of Jethro, a Kenite shepherd who was a priest of Midian. Episode 91: Israel at 75: Voices of Protest. After 10 years, she turned to her father and said: "This Hebrew who has been jailed in the pit for the past 10 years, nobody has come around asking for him. This Talmudic source (albeit with opposing views) highlights Zipporahs uniqueness, as the only woman in the Bible said to have performed a circumcision. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her. Like many other prominent biblical characters, Zipporah is depicted in several works of art. Another interpretation, however, has this danger hovering over Moses, and in order to save him, Zipporah circumcises their son. Does God Really Work All Things Together for Good? Wm. Zipporah is the wife of Moses, given to him in marriage by her Midianite priest father. Your children are a gift from Yah (Psalms 127:3). They were also bring the commanded sacrificial offerings when they committed sins of ignorance. 4:24). 45 And when Abraham had given all he had to his son Isaac, he also gave to him this stick. 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. Moses first Marriage was to Adoniah as previously mentioned and his second marriage was to Reuel (Jethro) the Midianites daughter Zipporah. Heres a scripture that shows that Reuel (Jethro) Zipporahs father was a Midianite. The Torah does not specify when Zipporah left Moses, nor the reason for this parting. I love the explanation it has answered my many questions. Moses and the latter met at the mountain of God when Moses was on his way to Egypt (Ex. Daughter to a priest, wife of the emancipator of the Israelites from captivity and bondage in Egypt, her unique status invites many questions. This is the first time I have heard that Moses had an Ethiopian wife! I havent broken my covenant to her, and maybe God will still honor it in the next life, and maybe she will too when her mental illnesses are then gone. One is that Satan sought to kill the uncircumcised baby, and the appellation a bridegroom [hatan] of blood was given to the child himself, who thereby become a hatan (the title given to the child who undergoes circumcision). Proud member He did not withdraw from his wife because she aged or because she was no longer desirable in his eyes; rather, his abstinence resulted from a divine command. Kadari, Tamar. Thank you, for this informative article. 31 And they placed the royal crown upon his head, and they gave him for a wife Adoniah the Cushite queen, wife of Kikianus. This is powerful, No correction Abraham is a descendant of Moses, Glad you appreciate the story. 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. Many of the patriarchs had multiple wives, and we dont know the details of their relationships. 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. The common assumption made is that Zipporah was Ethiopian, some even say that there is some type of biblical error. Zipporah, however, was lovely both in her youth and in her old age, and therefore was called the Cushite woman also when she was old. in the Bible: A Feminist Approach. How did she fit in with Moses life after God called him to lead the Hebrew people? A Midianite, a Cushite, or both? Here you can see that Moses married an Ethiopian called Adoniah (Tharbis): Above Moses married his first wife the Ethiopian Adoniah (Tharbis), when he was around twenty-seven (Jasher 73:2) years old. After God commanded Moses to return to Egypt to free the Israelites, Moses took his wife and sons and started his journey. [21] This view has been used to represent an element of the special relationship between Israeli Jews and Druze.[22]. I will briefly discuss the staff of Moses because it has relevance to the marriage between Zipporah the Midianite and Moses. Moses first wife was Adoniah (Tharbis) and his second wife was Zipporah. Sorry to here about the break up. Your question refers to Numbers 12:1 that states his mate was a Cushite, a term often used to refer to African nations. It was then that she said, A bridegroom of blood, because of the circumcision. 11:27) that Eldad and Medad are acting the prophet in the camp! Zipporahs reaction to this report was: Woe to their wives. More proof of Moses marriage to the Ethiopian queen Tharbis known as Adoniah in the book of Jasher can be found below: 30 So Moses took the city by his wisdom, and the children of Cush placed him on the throne instead of Kikianus king of Cush. The circumcision performed by Zipporah is one of the most intriguing moments in the Bible, though the meaning behind her words is still unclear. Have an update or correction? 12). Above you can see that Reuel (Jethro) was Moses father in law and the priest of Midian too. Following their appointment, all Israel kindled lamps and engaged in celebrations, rejoicing at the elders having attained their exalted status.
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