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. His father-in-law eventually brought Zipporah and her children to Moses, but he doesn't seem to have been happy to see her (via Jewish Women's Archive). In thanks, Jethro--known as the Priest of Midian--invited him to stay in his camp, and gave him Zipporah to marry. It is an unfortunate thing that women in todays society are generally not willing to stick through the hard times. Zipporah was called a Cushite, meaning at least part if not all of her heritage was from Africa. Moses is told that his father-in-law Jethro is coming to see you, with your wife and her two sons (Exod i8:6). 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. "Why did you leave the man? 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 ). Why Didn't Moses Enter the Promised Land. 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). 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). Yocheved was the daughter of Levi, Jacob 's son. The purpose of Patriarchs having multiple wives was to produce babies, not because of lustful desires. 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. While she is introduced early in Exodus, very little is said about her. The Israelite Samaritan Version of the Torah: First English Translation Compared with the Masoretic Version. When Laban gave him his daughters, Jacob deceived him and fled far away. 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? The details of the quality of their marriage over time are difficult to discern, as she spent time with Moses in Egypt, came into conflict with him and his family, and did eventually take their son back to Midian. 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. Josephus was a devout Jew, who lived just after the death of the Messiah, he had knowledge of all the historical information about Israel. In the Book of Chronicles, two of her grandsons are mentioned: Shebuel, son of Gershom; and Rehabiah, son of Eliezer (1 Chronicles 23:1617). 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. 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. Higger], chap. [23], Zipporah is often included in Exodus-related drama. 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. Zipporah was left all but divorced. 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). Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her. 3 And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. After the crown was given to Moses Adoniah the former kings wife married Moses. However, the stories of some of the women of the Bible continue to resonate, despite only minor appearances. Moses was aware of Zipporahs qualities and therefore took her for a wife; she adjusted to her role as wife of the leader of the people of Israel, successfully making the transition to royalty. He originally had a wife named Zipporah who was the daughter of a Midianite priest (Exodus 2:15 - 21). 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. This is problematic, since the Torah does not relate that Moses took an additional wife, nor is there any mention of children whom she borenot to mention the distastefulness of Mosess marrying a second wife while Zipporah was in her fathers house, waiting to rejoin him. It explains the wars that Moses was a part of when he left Egypt. After the exodus, her father, the priest of Midian (here called Jethro), comes to visit Moses, bringing Zipporah and her two sons. Moses siblings, Aaron and Miriam turned against their brother because he married someone who was not from the race or culture. in the Bible: A Feminist Approach. 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. 41 And he read it and stretched forth his hand and he plucked it like a forest tree from the thicket, and the stick was in his hand. In return for her good deed, God gave Moses permission to marry her (Exodus 18:13). The Midianites were not Ethiopians, they are actually from the lineage of Abraham who Moses is also a descendant of. All in all, we can't say. Before the Giving of the Torah, God ordered Moses to sanctify the people, and he said to them (Ex. 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 midrash admits that Moses abstained from intercourse with his wife from the time of the Giving of the Torah, but this was at Gods behest. There, Moses stood up for seven young women who were drawing water who were being driven away from the well by shepherds. This stick was passed down until it reached Abraham, then Jacob took it. The most popular incident is when Moses is challenged by Aaron and Miriam, because of his marriage to an Ethiopian woman (Numbers 12:1). The latter understanding is based on Zipporah's declaration in the following verse (25) that you are truly a bridegroom of blood to me, which is directed to her bridegroom, Moses. 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. The Israelites, too, are called Kushiim in Amos 9:7: To me, O Israelites, you are just like the Ethiopians [Kushiim], because of the difference between them and the other peoples of the earth, since they observe the commandments (Sifrei on Numbers chap. Your question refers to Numbers 12:1 that states his mate was a Cushite, a term often used to refer to African nations. Im pretty sure it was a source of inspiration for that popular story line. 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). Proud member 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). Moses and the latter met at the mountain of God when Moses was on his way to Egypt (Ex. We first meet Zipporahwho later became Moses's wifeat a well in her hometown of Midian. Her father Jethro was the priest of Midian, and it was he that gave Zipporah to Moses to marry. That being said I did not say Moses had sex with his Ethiopian wife in this article, they were just married. How can we know which is correct? She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com. The Patriachs who had multiple wives never sought these wives out, except for Solomon and the results were negative in his case. Miriam learned of this after the appointment of the seventy elders (Num. After researching this, I have found this statement was true, but not in the way that most people think. Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and Groom? The girls answered, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock." But no children are ever recorded for a second wife of Moses. [5] The word that makes this difficult is shelucheiha, the sendings [away] of her (Ex. 99). 4:2426. Vetus Let her be shut outside the camp seven days, and after that she may be brought in again. So Miriam was shut outside the camp seven days, and the people did not set out on the march till Miriam was brought in again. Daughter to a priest, wife of the emancipator of the Israelites from captivity and bondage in Egypt, her unique status invites many questions. After the Giving of the Torah, God instructed Moses (Deut. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. Exodus 18:2-5. 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). There, Moses stood up for seven young women who were drawing water who were being driven away from the well by shepherds. 5:2627): Go, say to them, Return to your tents. But you remain here with MeIsrael shall return to their wives, but you shall not return to marital relations (Tanhuma, Zav 13). Jewish Women's Archive. Shalom. Remember the only way to know if scripture is valid is to read it. In the midrashic amplification, Zipporah set out for Egypt with Moses, but never arrived there. The expression "Cushite woman" is used disparagingly against Moses because he . 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. Yah will give us a new heart and blissful peace (1 Corinthians 2:9). Read the latest from JWA from your inbox. In thanks, Jethro--known as the Priest of Midian--invited him to stay in his camp, and gave him Zipporah to marry. Features thousands of biographic and thematic essays on Jewish women around the world. This passage can be difficult to understand, and different thinkers and theologians have various interpretations of what happened here. Alonso de Sandoval, 17th century Jesuit, reasoned that Zipporah and the Cushite woman was the same person, and that she was black. After killing an Egyptian, Moses runs away to Midian, where he marries Zipporah, the daughter of the local priest (Exod 2:15-22). Let us know. 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. 2021 23 Jul The wife of Moses is named Zipporah. Both of these assertions are inaccurate. What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. Regardless of which parent failed to have their son circumcised, both had to confront this choice later in life, and Gershom paid a price for that. 2:1517). Shalom. Interpretations differ on whether this Cushite woman[he] was one and the same as Zipporah, or another woman, and whether he was married to them simultaneously (which would make him a polygamist) or successively. When he was with Jethro, he saw how fine were her actions. The Bible records, "She gave birth to a son, and . He read the symbols on it, extended his hand, and took it. I cant tell you how much this helped me. The predicate of this verse is unclear. 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. Her words stopped the attack against Moses. There, Moses met a man named Jethro and received Jethro's daughter Zipporah in marriage. 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. Yael Wife of Heber The Kenite: Midrash and Aggadah, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. 4:24). How did she fit in with Moses life after God called him to lead the Hebrew people? 18: . Ask him in to break bread (Ex. The text does not reveal that Zipporah was the Cushite woman spoken of in Numbers 12. God did not agree, punishing Miriam with leprosy to make an example of their bigotry and pride. At the well, she met Moses, who was fleeing from Egypt and from Pharaoh's judgment after he . Zipporah had compassion on Moses and brought him bread and water. Pardes, Ilana. Their parting took place on the way, following the encounter with Aaron. She became the mother of Gershom and Eliezer, Moses' children. The misconception is that Zipporah was Ethiopian and she was not, she was Shemitic. 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. In a third tradition, the initiative to marry Zipporah came from Moses himself. Tsedaka, Benyamim, and Sharon Sullivan, eds. Such heroes were and are called "the righteous." 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. Zipporahs name, meaning bird, combined with her protection of Moses, is reminiscent of the fierce loyalty to her husband Osiris of the Egyptian goddess Isis, who is often portrayed as a bird of prey. Num. 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) . 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. Ex. The midrash explains how Moses and Zipporah could have had a son who had not been circumcised. Another exegetical tradition places Miriam next to Zipporah when Moses was told (Num. Many of the patriarchs had multiple wives, and we dont know the details of their relationships. That Bloody Bridegroom (Exodus 4:2426). Vetus She may be Zipporah, the known wife of Moses (Exod 2:21, 18:2), or another woman. After the Giving of the Torah she-bi-khetav: Lit. 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). Zipporah's father was a Midianite, which means that she was a Midianite as well. 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. All I ever wanted was to protect and provide for them. A second tradition has Jethro deciding upon Zipporahs marriage to Moses after he brought Moses into his home and came to know his qualities. Who was she? If we dont study then were only left with half the truth. This Talmudic source (albeit with opposing views) highlights Zipporahs uniqueness, as the only woman in the Bible said to have performed a circumcision. As with other major Biblical figures, the venue of the first encounter between Moses and Zipporah, his future wife, was beside a well (Ex. 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. Let her not be as one dead, whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes out of his mother's womb. And Moses cried to the Lord, O God, please heal herplease. But the Lord said to Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be shamed seven days? Strangers in the land were also commanded to observe and fast on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29) and additionally adhere to all God's Commandments (Exodus 12:48 - 49). 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. The Rabbis ascribe many traits to her; they considered her different than other women, in a positive sense, in both appearance and deed. 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. Does the Bible Condemn Using Tarot Cards? Zipporah noticed her husband was at risk and swiftly used a stone to cut their son's foreskin. Propp, William. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. The last time the Bible mentions Zipporah is when she is at Mount Horeb with her family, according to Daily Journal. 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. It does show that both parents bore responsibility for raising their child up in alignment with Gods ordinances. 99). There is no information about how Zipporah felt about it, and she is still a mystery in many ways. The name Tharbis can not be found in the book of Exodus, but you can find it below in other scriptures. 4 And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abidah, and Eldaah. [6] The idea that Moses separated from Zipporah could be adduced from the description of Jethro bringing Moses his wife, "after she had been sent home" ( ) in Exod. Read the latest from JWA from your inbox. Expository How did Zipporah know that Mosess life was threatened because of the circumcision? 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. One day while he sat by a well, Reuel's daughters came to water their father's flocks. Now we know that Moses was married to Adoniah (Tharbis), by just simply understanding the history of Israel, we can say that Moses was married twice. Because of this pledge, Moses had to return to Midian after he had been sent to Egypt, as it is said (Ex. (Exodus 4:24). Eventually Reuel the Midianite ended up with the stick after the death of Joseph. The details of the passage are unclear and subject to debate. Instead, she was a married single for the rest of her life. The situation remains unclear to us. Zipporah found very this difficult and she Miriam, forming a bond of feminine solidarity as Miriam lent an attentive ear and tried to help. Despite the difficulties in their relationship, Moses and Zipporah did have two children and were married for decades before he went back to Egypt. The Rabbis sought to elicit the nature of the parting between Moses and Zipporah from the wording after she had been sent home [shiluheha]. According to one opinion, Moses divorced her, with a writ of divorce, since shiluah also appears in Deut. Zipporah may be one of the most intriguing figures in the early books of the Bible. [6][7][8] In the story, Aaron and Miriam criticize Moses' marriage to a Cushite woman. ", Reuel asked them. Ive already told friends about what Ive read. 31 December 1999. When Jethro saw what Moses had done, he exclaimed: This one will redeem Israel from Egypt, and therefore gave him his daughter Zipporah in marriage (Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer [ed. Your children are a gift from Yah (Psalms 127:3). 11:27) that Eldad and Medad are acting the prophet in the camp! Zipporahs reaction to this report was: Woe to their wives. How To Worship God: What Is Spirit And What Is Truth? [14][15][16][17][18] Moses was allowed to wed Zipporah after helping save Jethro's daughters and their flock from competing herdsmen. Episode 91: Israel at 75: Voices of Protest. Yael Wife of Heber The Kenite: Midrash and Aggadah, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. Bless you and i will keep on follow and read the Word until i understand more. After God commanded Moses to return to Egypt to free the Israelites, Moses took his wife and sons and started his journey. 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. Another tradition explains that the numerical value of Kushit is the same as the Hebrew yafet mareh (beautiful). The stick was then taken by Adam (Jasher 77:43) when he was sent out of the Garden of Eden. She heroically saved Moses from an attack by circumcising her son. Im a Christian and I find this very informative. 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. God's anger led [] So that they also keep Yahs commands (John 14:21-27) and enter his kingdom too. She saved his life in the night encampment when she made haste to circumcise her son. Zipporah was one of them. 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. 48 And after the death of Joseph, the nobles of Egypt came into the house of Joseph, and the stick came into the hand of Reuel the Midianite, and when he went out of Egypt, he took it in his hand and planted it in his garden. See e.g. 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. He was instrumental in getting back the Ethiopian castle after it was abducted by Balaam the Magician and his two sons. 2:21). We do trust Josephus as a historical source, but we don't know if we can corroborate everything he says. 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. Mercy and compassion were to be shown to aliens. The Bible does not say when Zipporah and her sons rejoined Reuel/Jethro, only that after he heard of what God did for the Israelites, he brought Moses' family to him. The ribbons in her hat resemble a cross. Article Miriam and Aaron spoke about Moses because of the beautiful woman he had married, for he had separated from the beautiful woman he married. 17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. 1920). "Zipporah: Midrash and Aggadah." The story is already difficult for the narrator, who adds a comment thathatan damimrefers to circumcision. 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). But did Moses have a second wife? In Numbers 12:1, Moses wife became the apparent reason for Miriam and Aaron's rebellion against Moses. Moses had killed an Egyptian by accident and fled to the Midianites since the Pharaoh sought to kill Moses. Who knows, but it gives me hope to relate to Moses in this thing. He then planted it in the ground (Jasher 77:48) waiting for a man who was worthy to pluck it from the ground. My prayers will go out to you. So everybody naturally assumes that she was the Ethiopian. Answer Zipporah in the Bible was the wife of Moses and the daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Now Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her home, along with her two sons. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her. 17K views, 519 likes, 455 loves, 3.7K comments, 232 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from EWTN: Starting at 8 a.m. At the age of forty, Moses killed an Egyptian he saw abusing a Hebrew. Ibn Ezra on Exodus 18:2 : , : ( :). When the daughters of Reuel, a Midianite priest, were being harassed, Moses helped them. He meets the seven daughters of Reuel, priest of Midian, at a well; rescues them from shepherds who are harassing them; and fills their jugs with water. Have an update or correction? 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. Above you can see that Reuel (Jethro) was Moses father in law and the priest of Midian too. [11], The Samaritan Pentateuch text refers to Moses' wife Zipporah as "Kaashet" (which translates to "the beautiful woman"), rather than "Cushit" ("black woman" or "Cushite woman"). One son was named Gershom, for Moses had said, "I . 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. Her private life is revealed by chance when her pain bursts forth and she unfolds her feelings before Miriam. 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. This is powerful, No correction Abraham is a descendant of Moses, Glad you appreciate the story. 18, before the Giving of the Torah, which is immediately presented in the following chapters (Ex. The ones that are, are in the minority and they are a blessing. 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. Examples include the films The Ten Commandments (1956),[24] The Prince of Egypt (1998),[25] and Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014). I wouldnt call Jasher non biblical. Moses then left the Ethiopians after forty years of ruler-ship (Jasher 76:5-12). They will be prophets, and they will withdraw from their wives, as my husband withdrew from me. Thus Miriam learned that Moses abstained from relations with Zipporah, and she told this to Aaron (Tanhuma, Zav 13). Moses recognized this quality in her, as it is said (Num. Moses first Marriage was to Adoniah as previously mentioned and his second marriage was to Reuel (Jethro) the Midianites daughter Zipporah. Moses therefore fled from Egypt, and arrived in Midian. 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). what do army rangers do when not deployed, edge fitness personal trainer cost, nytimes pangram solver,

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