This story sounds strikingly similar to the story of Excalibur. 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. I wouldnt call Jasher non biblical. 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. 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. After the exodus, her father, the priest of Midian (here called Jethro), comes to visit Moses, bringing Zipporah and her two sons. 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. God did not agree, punishing Miriam with leprosy to make an example of their bigotry and pride. 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. 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. 3 And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. 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. 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. [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"). Testamentum 43 (1993): 495518. 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! She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com. 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 answer is no: Moses never had more than four wives. [12][bettersourceneeded], "Cushite woman" becomes in the Greek Septuagint and Aethiopissa in the Latin Vulgate Bible version (4th century). Despite the difficulties in their relationship, Moses and Zipporah did have two children and were married for decades before he went back to Egypt. Zipporah the Midianite was a descendant of Midian, Abraham's son by his third wife Keturah. God blessed them with children. God used her to be a mother, a partner, and preserved her memory in His Word. That Bloody Bridegroom (Exodus 4:2426). Vetus Another exegetical tradition places Miriam next to Zipporah when Moses was told (Num. Shalom. 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. 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. The midrash explains how Moses and Zipporah could have had a son who had not been circumcised. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Just as Joseph was a Hebrew, with his wife being and Egyptian, yet his sons Ephraim and Manasseh, were Israelites due to their father's line. but I was confused in regards to you saying that Adoniah and Moses consummated the marriage?? Blessings to you and your family, Shalom! 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). 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 Book of Chronicles, two of her grandsons are mentioned: Shebuel, son of Gershom; and Rehabiah, son of Eliezer (1 Chronicles 23:1617). Whose legs did she touch? Zipporah first appeared in the Book of Exodus after Moses fled Egypt. When the daughters of Reuel, a Midianite priest, were being harassed, Moses helped them. 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. How did she fit in with Moses life after God called him to lead the Hebrew people? The Meaning Of Maccabees, Is Purgatory A Dogma? : . It fills some gaps in the Bible narrative. Thank you! 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. Since he himself is apparently always in preparation for meeting with God, we can infer that he never sleeps with Zipporah. 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). Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2011. So here we see that Moses reigned over the people of Cush. Many of us are familiar with Moses' wife, Zipporah. Zipporah may be one of the most intriguing figures in the early books of the Bible. We are told that the Most High used what is now known as the supernatural staff of Moses to create the worlds (Jasher 77:42). [Hence, it is no longer dangerous to have him in our home.] With copies of The Book of Jasher in publication. He spends several decades there before he returns to Egypt to tell Pharaoh to release the Israelites. She was born at the very moment when Jacob and his entire household, Levi and his wife among them, had just entered the gates of Egypt. She takes a flint and cuts off her sons foreskin. Forty years passed, and God called Moses back to Egypt to deliver Israel. This passage mostly focuses on Jethro aiding Moses in getting help judging the conflicts among the tribes. Based on the Bible, there is no prohibition against what people define as different "races" from being married. (Exodus 4:24). Have an update or correction? 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. 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. 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. 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. It is an unfortunate thing that women in todays society are generally not willing to stick through the hard times. "Where is he then? He came upon the land of Midian and there he met and married one of the daughters of the local priest and stayed for 40 years. The next documented moment in Zipporahs life came after the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt. 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. Times 106 (1995): 203205. 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. He then planted it in the ground (Jasher 77:48) waiting for a man who was worthy to pluck it from the ground. Rabbah 2:33; Mann, Fragments from the Geniza, fragment 12, p. 95). If we dont study then were only left with half the truth. 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. 45 And when Abraham had given all he had to his son Isaac, he also gave to him this stick. In a third tradition, the initiative to marry Zipporah came from Moses himself. Have an update or correction? 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. Meyers, Carol, General Editor. A second tradition has Jethro deciding upon Zipporahs marriage to Moses after he brought Moses into his home and came to know his qualities. 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. 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. Eventually Reuel the Midianite ended up with the stick after the death of Joseph. Remember the only way to know if scripture is valid is to read it. We would have to read it and compare, and the Spirit should lead you, Shalom. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her. Num. All I ever wanted was to protect and provide for them. 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. If youre equating marriage to sex that is not a biblical understanding. 31 December 1999. I have an better understanding also who Josephus the historian is and also the book of Jasher. Cambridge, MA: 1992. Moses marries Zipporah during his time in Midian. In thanks, Jethro--known as the Priest of Midian--invited him to stay in his camp, and gave him Zipporah to marry. Like many other prominent biblical characters, Zipporah is depicted in several works of art. There is an understanding about Moses wife, which says that he was married to an Ethiopian lady. (Viewed on May 1, 2023) . 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. Miriam learned of this after the appointment of the seventy elders (Num. Thank you for an extremely interesting read. 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. 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? And they said, Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Her right hand is to her chest. Her mysterious life leaves us with more questions than answers, but it does not mean her life was not worth studying. The misconception is that Zipporah was Ethiopian and she was not, she was Shemitic. Zipporah lived a fascinating life, getting to travel great distances, and being in an inter-cultural relationship. These scriptures should clear up any misunderstandings you may have had about these different names. Im happy you discovered something new. A beautiful woman, she had received a special blessing that her comeliness would last her into old age. But where did it come from? The Rabbis explain that Moses sent Zipporah to her fathers house in Midian only out of fear that Egyptian servitude would harm her. Here's a scripture that shows that Reuel (Jethro) Zipporah's father was a Midianite. After Zipporah performed the circumcision, she took the foreskin and touched his legs (v. 25). Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corporation, 1967. of Moses' wife. This Talmudic source (albeit with opposing views) highlights Zipporahs uniqueness, as the only woman in the Bible said to have performed a circumcision. Most probably, the . 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). 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). of According toU.S. News and World Report, removing the foreskin was mandatory among Hebrews, as God had told Abraham. 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 ). The stick was then taken by Adam (Jasher 77:43) when he was sent out of the Garden of Eden. Moses then left the Ethiopians after forty years of ruler-ship (Jasher 76:5-12). Saturday Or Sunday? The midrash discloses that the existence of normal marital relations is important for a woman, and constitutes a significant part of her femininity and her self-perception. Most people know that Moses had a staff which he carried when he performed the eleven miracles against Pharaoh in Egypt. 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. "the written Torah." When reading the scriptures youll find that Moses was married to Zipporah at the time when he was accused of being married to an Ethiopian. Thanks for the expository (article). Zipporah noticed her husband was at risk and swiftly used a stone to cut their son's foreskin. Once the Israelites were closer to his own land, he came to visit and brought Zipporah and the two boys with him. Because of this pledge, Moses had to return to Midian after he had been sent to Egypt, as it is said (Ex. After being taken in by the family of the Pharaoh, Moses grew up among the upper class in the culture, but he did become aware of his Hebrew lineage. 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. I am so excited to get this information. Yael Wife of Heber The Kenite: Midrash and Aggadah, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. 1920). Moses and the latter met at the mountain of God when Moses was on his way to Egypt (Ex. He originally had a wife named Zipporah who was the daughter of a Midianite priest (Exodus 2:15 - 21). 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. Aaron goes forth to greet his brother and hugs and kisses him. 2:21), understanding the word va-yoel as a customary wording of a vow. 12:1): because of the Cushite woman he had marriedhe married her because she was a Cushite woman (Sifrei Zuta 12:1). 2:20). There are women who are poor, the children of the poor, who do not know how to conduct themselves when they come in contact with royalty. Your email address will not be published. Ask him in to break bread (Ex. Sorry to here about the break up. Who Was Zipporah and What Can We Learn from Her Life. She is later reunited with Moses when her father . 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. How To Worship God: What Is Spirit And What Is Truth? Page from the Rylands Haggadah. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim. Yocheved was the daughter of Levi, Jacob 's son. Below you will see one of the sons Abraham had with his late wife Keturah. A Midianite, a Cushite, or both? At some point, God told Moses to bring his family to Egypt in order to free his people. Below is an excerpt from the Josephus works. Kadari, Tamar. Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. Like me, they never knew about Adoniah (Tharbis). That was in the year 2238 after Creation. 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). [13]:248,253254, In the Druze religion, Zipporah's father Jethro is revered as the spiritual founder, chief prophet, and ancestor of all Druze. Ive already told friends about what Ive read. ", Reuel asked them. She circumcised her. 31 December 1999. 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. Zipporah is the wife of Moses, given to him in marriage by her Midianite priest father. Moses siblings, Aaron and Miriam turned against their brother because he married someone who was not from the race or culture. 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. During his education he learned somehow that he was a Hebrew, and his sense of concern and curiosity impelled him to visit his people. Required fields are marked *, 2020 We Are Hebrew | Bible Facts & Bible Notes |, 22 comments on Moses Wife: Zipporah Or Tharbis (Adoniah)?. I trust Him. 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. 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. And not for a few months as Moses may have assumed. They believed Zipporahs ethnicity disqualified him from being Gods sole mouthpiece. The Bible; the Pentateuch; Tanakh (the Pentateuch, Prophets and Hagiographia)Torah, a life of sexual abstinence was imposed on Moses due to his spiritual standing; this Zipporah found very difficult. The first sign of trouble came when Moses set off to Egypt after forty years of exile. 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. Zipporah found very this difficult and she Miriam, forming a bond of feminine solidarity as Miriam lent an attentive ear and tried to help. So the answer to the question, whether or not Moses married an Ethiopian has been answered, and the answer is, Yes! 11:27) that Eldad and Medad are acting the prophet in the camp! Zipporahs reaction to this report was: Woe to their wives. Later Jewish and Christian tradition . All rights reserved. The ribbons in her hat resemble a cross. Who knows, but it gives me hope to relate to Moses in this thing. Moses' First Wife - Zipporah Moses was an exile. Midrashic tradition assumed they were discussing Moses neglect of Zipporah. In a third tradition, the initiative to marry Zipporah came from Moses himself. Her words stopped the attack against Moses. She may be Zipporah, the known wife of Moses (Exod 2:21, 18:2), or another woman. Yah will give us a new heart and blissful peace (1 Corinthians 2:9). After the Giving of the Torah, God instructed Moses (Deut. What can her life and her decisions tell believers today about the human condition? Thank you for this! 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. Rabbah [ed. 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. This teaches that at some point Zipporah and her sons had been sent back to Midian, where they stayed with Jethro until he brought them to Moses in the wilderness. 2 And all the children of Cush loved Moses all the days that he reigned over them, and all the inhabitants of the land of Cush were greatly afraid of him. Lieberman], Ki Teze 1, reads: milah [circumcision; i.e., stages within the circumcision] u- periah). The story is definitely the same, although the name of the Cushite (Ethiopian) queen is different, it is clearly the same history being recorded. 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. Your question refers to Numbers 12:1 that states his mate was a Cushite, a term often used to refer to African nations. The situation remains unclear to us. The story is already difficult for the narrator, who adds a comment thathatan damimrefers to circumcision. Higger], chap. Shalom. [4] Hobab is also the name of Jethro's son in Numbers 10:29 . Zipporahs actions led to a Talmudic discussion of the ability of women to perform circumcision. Zipporah had compassion on Moses and brought him bread and water. There are some people in the Bible whose lives we only see in bits and pieces, and Zipporah is one of those figures. 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). Other interpreters see the Cushite woman as a second wife, with Miriam and Aaron opposed to the marriage. He knew God wanted his son circumcised, and Zipporah felt forced to take action. When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. The last time the Bible mentions Zipporah is when she is at Mount Horeb with her family, according to Daily Journal. When Jethro invited Moses into his house, the latter entered the garden and saw the staff. Why are you confused. Who was she? Read the latest from JWA from your inbox. Countertraditions Ashby, Godfrey. Im a Christian and I find this very informative. Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and Groom? Features thousands of biographic and thematic essays on Jewish women around the world. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous. 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. 99). We all become responsible for our own walk with Yah when we become adults (Philippians 2:12). Zipporah is presented as the leaders wife, who suffers from the life of abstinence decreed for her husband. 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. 11). 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. When he was with Jethro, he saw how fine were her actions. 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.

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