The underlying aim of the midrashim that recount how Zipporahs beauty was preserved in her old age is to aggrandize Moses. The law you quote is in Deuteronomy, which was not yet in existence when Moses married the Cushite - it was spoken at the very end of Moses' life (Deut 4:44-5:1). B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2013. Im pretty sure it was a source of inspiration for that popular story line. Some women are beautiful to others but not to their husband, and there are women who are beautiful to their husband but not to others; while Zipporah was lovely in the eyes of her husband and of everyone who beheld her (Midrash Tehillim 7:18). After having performed this rite, Zipporah says (v. 26): A bridegroom of blood because of the circumcision [la-mulot, in the plural], from which the Rabbis deduced two elements of the circumcision procedure: periah (uncovering the corona) and zizin (the shreds of the corona, that invalidate the circumcision) (JT Nedarim 3:9, 38b; Deut. How old was Moses wife Zipporah when she died? - Answers Her right hand is to her chest. The text does not reveal that Zipporah was the Cushite woman spoken of in Numbers 12. [4] Hobab is also the name of Jethro's son in Numbers 10:29 . 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. She became the mother of Gershom and Eliezer, Moses' children. Jethro was one of the magicians of Egypt, and when he saw Pharaohs staff with its magical symbols, he desired it and took it. She is later reunited with Moses when her father . The Bible records, "She gave birth to a son, and . 2 After Moses had sent back his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had received her, 3 along with her two sons. Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. Who knows, but it gives me hope to relate to Moses in this thing. Other scriptures that state the sojourner, like the person born in the land, could be an active part of the sacrificial services (like the red heifer ceremony) are Numbers 15:14 - 16, 19:10 and Leviticus 17:8 - 9. She and Moses have two sons, Gershom and Eliezer(Exod 18:34). Yocheved was the youngest member of the seventy souls who made up Jacob's household. 7th District AME Church: God First Holy Conference 2023 - Facebook The stick was made of Sapphire (Jasher 77:39) and not the traditional wood normally expected. Who Was Zipporah and What Can We Learn from Her Life. Miriam and Aaron spoke about Moses because of the beautiful woman he had married, for he had separated from the beautiful woman he married. He went to Jethro and asked: Give me your daughter Zipporah in marriage. Jethro replied: Do you want to do to me what your ancestor Jacob did? No sooner was the agreement made, but it took effect immediately; and when Moses had cut off the Ethiopians, he gave thanks to God, and consummated his marriage, and led the Egyptians back to their own land. She then touched Moses saying, "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!" In regards to the next life, there is no marrying (Matthew 22:30), we will be resurrected in incorruptible bodies (1 Corinthians 15:54). 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. Context matters: Why Miriam and Aaron dare rebuke Moses The Truth About Moses' Wife Zipporah - Grunge 4:24). Cush being another name for Ethiopia. 99). Zipporah is presented as the leaders wife, who suffers from the life of abstinence decreed for her husband. There is no information about how Zipporah felt about it, and she is still a mystery in many ways. I wouldnt call Jasher non biblical. Well, Heavenly Father has something in store for me that I cant see right now, I have faith in that. Then at the age of sixty-six he went to the land of Midian and married Zipporah the Midianite. This passage can be difficult to understand, and different thinkers and theologians have various interpretations of what happened here. Just as everyone speaks of the blackness of the Cushite, so do all proclaim the beauty of Zipporah (Tanhuma, Zav 13). Frymer-Kensky, Tikva. 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. Zipporah, however, understood it and acted decisively to rescue Moses. Nor had I heard of the book of Jasher. Zipporah - Wikipedia Thanks for the expository (article). Jewish Women's Archive. Who Was Zipporah and What Can We Learn from Her Life? - Bible Study Tools Yocheved was the daughter of Levi, Jacob 's son. God used her to be a mother, a partner, and preserved her memory in His Word. We all become responsible for our own walk with Yah when we become adults (Philippians 2:12). 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). Exodus 18:2-5. Moses first Marriage was to Adoniah as previously mentioned and his second marriage was to Reuel (Jethro) the Midianites daughter Zipporah. The Bible and Its Story, Taught By One Thousand Picture Lessons, Moses and his Ethiopian wife Zipporah (Mozes en zijn Ethiopische vrouw Sippora), relationship between Israeli Jews and Druze, "Judges 4 / Hebrew English Bible / Mechon-Mamre". Another exegetical tradition places Miriam next to Zipporah when Moses was told (Num. Zipporahs uniqueness is the subject of yet another tradition. This article helped to throw more light on issues and matters concerning one of the Biblical figures Moses. At the age of forty, Moses killed an Egyptian he saw abusing a Hebrew. Race of Moses' Wife - Bible Study This totally contradicts the idea that Moses wife could have been an Ethiopian. Exodus 3:1 1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. "the written Torah." 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. Boast Not Against The Branches: Olive Tree Bible Verse Explained. In the above scriptures the queen of Ethiopia took a liking to Moses because of his abilities during battle. The most popular incident is when Moses is challenged by Aaron and Miriam, because of his marriage to an Ethiopian woman (Numbers 12:1). Thank you, for this informative article. There are many lessons to learn from the marriage of Moses and Zipporah about leadership, communication, and how there can be unintended consequences to zealous obedience. 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. The Rabbis explain that Moses never wanted to part from Zipporah and sent her to her fathers house in Midian only for fear that the Egyptian servitude would harm her. Another interpretation, however, has this danger hovering over Moses, and in order to save him, Zipporah circumcises their son. : 247 Inspiration. Hopefully this article has helped clear up the questions you may have had about Moses wives. "Zipporah: Bible." Who Was Zipporah? Moses' Wife in the Bible - Bible Study Tools 99). See e.g. Yet on the journey, God tried to kill Moses. 11). Rabbah 1:32). How could I ever be as happy with a now broken family. After researching this, I have found this statement was true, but not in the way that most people think. 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. When the daughters of Reuel, a Midianite priest, were being harassed, Moses helped them. My wife left me, and after 5 months of wrestling with God, and much turmoil (I know there is more grieving still to be done), and a several-hour prayer last night, I woke up this morning with that song from The Prince of Egypt in my head, all Ive ever wanted. I know its an animated film and not 100% accurate (it might not even be 10% accurate, who knows), but Ive been wrestling with the fact that I covenanted to this woman, had 4 kids with her, was happier than I ever thought possible, then bam, without warning shes gone. Some women are fit but not comely, while others are comely but not fit, while Zipporah was both beautiful and fit. Zipporah had compassion on Moses and brought him bread and water. but I was confused in regards to you saying that Adoniah and Moses consummated the marriage?? Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. ET on EWTN: Holy Mass and Rosary on Saturday, April 22, 2023 Tell us where you're. Many of us are familiar with Moses' wife, Zipporah. God hates divorce, and wants strong marriages, and communication is part of that. The predicate of this verse is unclear. 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). 31 December 1999. 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). 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. In-laws have an impact in a relationship: Moses siblings did not like Zipporah and spoke badly about their brother because of it. 31 And they placed the royal crown upon his head, and they gave him for a wife Adoniah the Cushite queen, wife of Kikianus. Let us know. Dont forget to share this with someone that needs it. The girls answered, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock." Zipporahs enigmatic statement has two possible explanations: she flings the foreskin atMosessfeet, saying, You are a bridegroom of blood to me (NRSV), or she flings it atGodsfeet, saying, You are a blood father-in-law to me.(Damimmeans blood, andhatancan mean either bridegroom or father-in-law.) Either way, her deed and words stop the attack. Part of why God cursed Miriam with leprosy was because Moses would not stand up to her. Later Jewish and Christian tradition . How did she fit in with Moses life after God called him to lead the Hebrew people? 18, before the Giving of the Torah, which is immediately presented in the following chapters (Ex. Moses Wife: Zipporah Or Tharbis (Adoniah)? - wearehebrew.com Their parting took place on the way, following the encounter with Aaron. 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. The name Tharbis can not be found in the book of Exodus, but you can find it below in other scriptures. 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. Saturday Or Sunday? 49 And all the mighty men of the Kinites tried to pluck it when they endeavored to get Zipporah his daughter, but they were unsuccessful. God did not agree, punishing Miriam with leprosy to make an example of their bigotry and pride. Zipporah was one of them. 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. Yael Wife of Heber The Kenite: Midrash and Aggadah, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. in the Bible: A Feminist Approach. [19] It has been expressed by prominent Druze such as Amal Nasser el-Din[20] and Salman Tarif, who was a prominent Druze shaykh, that this makes the Druze related to the Jews through marriage. Countertraditions And not for a few months as Moses may have assumed. Eventually Reuel the Midianite ended up with the stick after the death of Joseph. So that they also keep Yahs commands (John 14:21-27) and enter his kingdom too. The Rabbis ascribe many traits to Zipporah, whom they considered as differing from other women, in a positive sense, in both appearance and deed. This information sheds a clear light on the question, whether Moses was married to an Ethiopian? 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. All I ever wanted was to protect and provide for them. These scriptures should clear up any misunderstandings you may have had about these different names. All rights reserved. Mosess hope that his family would be present at the Giving of the Torah would nonetheless be realized, because the Torah tells of their reunion in Ex. The Rabbis raise an objection to the latter view, based on the story of Zipporah, who circumcised her own son, as is related in v. 25: she took [va-tikah] [] and she cut [va-tikhrot] []. The opponents of circumcision by women respond by vocalizing these words differently: va-takah (she caused to be taken), va-takhrat (she caused it to be cut off), implying that Zipporah did not herself circumcise the boy, but told someone else to do this for her. All these were the children of Keturah. Spare The Rod Spoil The Child: Biblical Discipline Explained, Brief Explanation Of Tharbis & Moses Marriage, 19 Old Testament Passages That Foreshadow Jesus, Prophet Like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18): 11 Likenesses To the Messiah (Jesus), Slavery Bible Verses: Transatlantic Slave Trade Explained, phenomenal woman in the bible: Examples & how to be & Find one, A Quran And Bible Comparison: Why Theyre Not The Same, Canonization Of The Bible: And What We Should Be Reading, Was The Maccabean Revolt successful? 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. This criticism displeases God, who punishes Miriam with Tzaraath (often glossed as leprosy). With copies of The Book of Jasher in publication. She heroically saves Moses and her sons from a random attack from an angel by cutting off her sons foreskin; the explanation for this act is unclear. Moses and the Kushite Woman: Classic Interpretations and Philo's He originally had a wife named Zipporah who was the daughter of a Midianite priest (Exodus 2:15 - 21). Times 106 (1995): 203205. So even though I have always hated the idea of divorce, no matter how much she drove me nuts or didnt step up to the plate when it came to our family, I patiently accepted her for who she was because she was the woman I chose, even though our relationship didnt start in Gods way, and now maybe God is rewarding me for that patience. 1 Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. 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. The midrash explains how Moses and Zipporah could have had a son who had not been circumcised. The Meaning Of Maccabees, Is Purgatory A Dogma? 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. Yah will give us a new heart and blissful peace (1 Corinthians 2:9). 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. 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. Zipporah first appeared in the Book of Exodus after Moses fled Egypt. Gen. 17:13 states they must be circumcised [ha-yimol yimol, literally, he who is circumcised shall circumcise], from which the Rabbis deduced that only one who is circumcised may circumcise others. He went to Jethro and asked: "Give me your daughter Zipporah in marriage." Jethro replied: "Do you want to do to me what your ancestor Jacob did? Num. This is something that Ive always wondered about, because when I checked the background of Moses wife I never found this to be true. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. It was then that she said, A bridegroom of blood, because of the circumcision. Ive read all these accounts and one time believe them to be the same but after reading Josephus to them to be two separate marriages and ladies. The story is already difficult for the narrator, who adds a comment thathatan damimrefers to circumcision. 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. Purgatory vs Hell, The Truth. The Rabbis suggest that Miriam and Aaron talked about Moses having withdrawn from his wife. Upon their return home, their father asked them, "How is it that you have come home so early today?" When YHWH commissions Moses to return to Egypt and free the Israelites from bondage, Moses takes Zipporah with him, at least part of the way (Exod 4:20, 24-26). 1 Now Moses' father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about all that God had done for Moses and His people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and touched Moses' feet with it and said, Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!So he let him alone. The Lord has already spoken with many prophets, and with us as well, but we did not abstain from our spouses as Moses has done (Sifrei Zuta 12:1).
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