Who was Moses' Wife?
For many, the name Moses immediately conjures images of a towering figure leading the Israelites out of Egypt, parting the Red Sea, and receiving the Ten Commandments. However, the biblical narrative also includes the significant, albeit sometimes less emphasized, presence of his wife. So, who was Moses' wife? The answer, according to the Hebrew Bible, is Zipporah.
Zipporah: The Midianite Woman
Zipporah was the daughter of Reuel (sometimes called Jethro), a priest of Midian. The Midianites were a nomadic people who inhabited the Sinai Peninsula and surrounding regions. Moses encountered Zipporah and her family when he fled from Egypt after killing an Egyptian overseer. He sought refuge in Midian and eventually became a shepherd for his father-in-law, Reuel. It was during this time that Moses married Zipporah.
The Marriage and Family
The Book of Exodus, specifically chapter 2, details Moses' arrival in Midian and his subsequent marriage to Zipporah. She bore him two sons:
- Gershom: Moses named their firstborn son Gershom, saying, "I have become an alien in a foreign land." This name reflects Moses' experience of being an exile from his homeland of Egypt.
- Eliezer: Their second son was named Eliezer, meaning "For the God of my father helped me and rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh." This name highlights Moses' reliance on divine intervention.
Zipporah's presence in Moses' life is most prominently featured in two key instances within the biblical account:
The Circumcision Incident
One of the most dramatic and discussed events involving Zipporah occurs in Exodus 4. After God's initial appearance to Moses at the burning bush and Moses' hesitations, God instructs Moses to return to Egypt to lead his people to freedom. However, God seems to intend to kill Moses on the way. Zipporah, recognizing the urgency of the situation, takes a sharp stone and circumcises her son, Gershom. She then exclaims, "You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me!" This act, often interpreted as a ritualistic act to appease God or a symbolic act of commitment to the covenant, saves Moses' life according to the text.
"And on the way at the lodging place, the Lord met him and sought to put him to death. Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off the foreskin of her son and touched his feet with it. And she said, 'You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me.' So he let him alone. At that time she said, 'A bridegroom of blood,' because of the circumcision." (Exodus 4:24-26, ESV)
Zipporah's Return to Moses
Another significant mention of Zipporah is in Exodus 18. After the Israelites have left Egypt and reached the wilderness, Zipporah and their two sons rejoin Moses. This reunion is facilitated by her father, Jethro (Reuel), who hears about all that God has done for Israel. Jethro advises Moses on how to manage the growing responsibilities of leading the people, a counsel that proves invaluable. The text states that Moses sent his wife and sons back to her father's home, and then they rejoined him. This suggests a period where Zipporah and the children were not with Moses during the initial stages of the exodus or while the Israelites were in the wilderness.
The reason for Zipporah's initial absence or Moses sending her away is not explicitly detailed, leading to various interpretations. Some scholars suggest it was for her safety, while others propose it might have been due to the demanding and often dangerous nature of their journey, or perhaps even a temporary estrangement related to the circumcision incident.
Zipporah's Significance
While Zipporah might not be as widely recognized as some other biblical women, her role is undeniably important. She represents Moses' connection to the Gentile world and his life outside of his prophetic calling. Her actions, particularly the circumcision of her son, are crucial to the narrative and underscore the importance of covenant and ritual within the biblical context. She is the mother of Moses' heirs, ensuring the continuation of his lineage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How did Moses meet Zipporah?
Moses met Zipporah while he was fleeing from Egypt. He found refuge in the land of Midian, where he worked as a shepherd for her father, Reuel (also known as Jethro). During his time as a shepherd, he encountered Zipporah at a well and helped her and her sisters water their father's sheep, which led to him being invited to stay with their family.
Why did Zipporah circumcise her son?
The exact reasons for Zipporah's act of circumcising her son are open to interpretation, but the biblical text suggests it was a crucial act to save Moses' life. Some believe it was a way to ensure their son was in covenant with God before embarking on the perilous journey to Egypt, thereby appeasing God's apparent intent to harm Moses. Others see it as a demonstration of Zipporah's understanding of the covenantal obligations, even though she was not an Israelite by birth.
What was Zipporah's background?
Zipporah was a Midianite woman. The Midianites were a people who lived in the region of the Sinai Peninsula and were descendants of Abraham's son Midian. This means she was not an Israelite by birth, making her marriage to Moses a union between different cultural and religious backgrounds.
