[3] In Exodus 2:18, Jethro is also referred to as Reuel, and in the Book of Judges ( Judges 4:11) as Hobab. She heroically saved Moses from an attack by circumcising her son. divorced"). In Hebrew, her name means "bird" or "little bird.". This is something that Ive always wondered about, because when I checked the background of Moses wife I never found this to be true. what is biblical or not) were not Hebrews, they slaughtered the Hebrews. 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. This is the land that Moses dwelt in when he took refuge from Pharaoh. 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. Why are you confused. Zipporah, however, understood it and acted decisively to rescue Moses. Moses married an Ethiopian woman who was not of Shemitic lineage, she was Hamitic (this information is only found in the book of Yasher), that is why Miriam spoke against her. 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. 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. Like many other prominent biblical characters, Zipporah is depicted in several works of art. Moses first Marriage was to Adoniah as previously mentioned and his second marriage was to Reuel (Jethro) the Midianites daughter Zipporah. Although any alien or Gentile (a term used for anyone of a race different that Israel) that was not circumcised could not partake of the yearly Passover ceremony, they still were required by law to do several things. In Numbers 12 why did Moses get away with intermarriage? 12). 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. Exodus 4:21-26. 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. Ex. Yah will give us a new heart and blissful peace (1 Corinthians 2:9). It might refer to the child, for in response Zipporah cuts off her sons foreskin and thus saves his life. 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. In the Torah, Zipporah was one of the seven daughters of Jethro, a Kenite shepherd who was a priest of Midian. Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. Most. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corporation, 1967. Alonso de Sandoval, 17th century Jesuit, reasoned that Zipporah and the Cushite woman was the same person, and that she was black. 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. Daughter to a priest, wife of the emancipator of the Israelites from captivity and bondage in Egypt, her unique status invites many questions. 2021 23 Jul The wife of Moses is named Zipporah. I will briefly discuss the staff of Moses because it has relevance to the marriage between Zipporah the Midianite and Moses. This totally contradicts the idea that Moses wife could have been an Ethiopian. Zipporah the Midianite was a descendant of Midian, Abraham's son by his third wife Keturah. Hi I had been reading the book of yasher over Passover and Ive been finding it very interesting! This stick was passed down until it reached Abraham, then Jacob took it. Who was Zipporah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Im a Christian and I find this very informative. Her last years and the circumstances of her death are unknown. It is always good to study the Scriptures deeper and further. The second position is that Moses was negligent regarding his sons circumcision. Lets look at what the scriptures actually say by starting in the book of Exodus. 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. Moses therefore fled from Egypt, and arrived in Midian. Heres a scripture that shows that Reuel (Jethro) Zipporahs father was a Midianite. 2:21). The story is definitely the same, although the name of the Cushite (Ethiopian) queen is different, it is clearly the same history being recorded. Lutzer, Erwin. 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. Moses' Kushite Wife Was Zipporah the Midianite - TheTorah.com 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. In Numbers 12:1, Moses wife became the apparent reason for Miriam and Aaron's rebellion against Moses. Read the latest from JWA from your inbox. Here where we see in the Book of Jasher the same history documented in the Josephus histories. He met her during his years away from Egypt ( Exodus 2:1 ). They had several rough patches in their marriage in part because of Moses devotion to his responsibilities. 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. 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). WHO WAS MOSES' WIFE? (Numbers 12:1) | Perry Stone Ministries In Gods eyes, it does not matter whether Moses' wife was a Midianite, Cushite or whatever "race" she was. She is also described as a practical woman capable of taking action at the right moment. 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. Yocheved - Chabad.org It explains the wars that Moses was a part of when he left Egypt. This passage can be difficult to understand, and different thinkers and theologians have various interpretations of what happened here. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her. Who was Moses' wife? 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. Another exegetical tradition places Miriam next to Zipporah when Moses was told (Num. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous. While most people would feel grateful when a person saves their lives, Moses didn't seem to appreciate it. She saved his life in the night encampment when she made haste to circumcise her son. All these were the children of Keturah. Her words stopped the attack against Moses. Thank you, for this informative article. After Zipporah performed the circumcision, she took the foreskin and touched his legs (v. 25). In the Bible, women are often praised when they are obedient but they sometimes disappear from the text after giving birth or getting married. Yocheved was the youngest member of the seventy souls who made up Jacob's household. Since modesty is appropriate for the relations between a man and his wife, how did Miriam learn of Mosess abstinence? Moses and the Kushite Woman: Classic Interpretations and Philo's There, Moses stood up for seven young women who were drawing water who were being driven away from the well by shepherds. 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. The two latter midrashim are based on the juxtaposition of the appointment of the seventy elders and the prophesying of Eldad and Medad (Num. 50 So that stick remained planted in the garden of Reuel, until he came who had a right to it and took it. Answer: Some think Moses married a woman of a different race than he was. Their parting took place on the way, following the encounter with Aaron. The expression "Cushite woman" is used disparagingly against Moses because he . This article helped to throw more light on issues and matters concerning one of the Biblical figures Moses. Some women are fit but not comely, while others are comely but not fit, while Zipporah was both beautiful and fit. Episode 91: Israel at 75: Voices of Protest. Required fields are marked *, 2020 We Are Hebrew | Bible Facts & Bible Notes |, 22 comments on Moses Wife: Zipporah Or Tharbis (Adoniah)?. Zipporah was the wife of Moses. Propp, William. Additionally, those living in ancient Israel had to be circumcised if they wished to partake of the Passover (Leviticus 25:45 - 46, Exodus 12:43, 45). but I was confused in regards to you saying that Adoniah and Moses consummated the marriage?? Salem Media Group. The prevalent idea among the Rabbis is that a woman is qualified to perform circumcision; the fact that she herself does not require circumcision teaches that she is regarded as if she were already circumcised. The Meaning Of Maccabees, Is Purgatory A Dogma? 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. Thank you for an extremely interesting read. Many of the patriarchs had multiple wives, and we dont know the details of their relationships. After God commanded Moses to return to Egypt to free the Israelites, Moses took his wife and sons and started his journey. 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). "Where is he then? 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. [citation needed], Moses' wife is referred to as a "Cushite woman" in Numbers 12. Thank you for this! According to one tradition, Miriam saw that Zipporah no longer adorned herself with womens jewelry, and asked her: Why have you stopped wearing womens ornaments? Zipporah answered: Your brother no longer cares about this. Thus Miriam learned that Moses had abstained from intercourse (Sifrei on Numbers chap. 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. Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and Groom? 44 And the stick came down to Noah and was given to Shem and his descendants, until it came into the hand of Abraham the Hebrew. This article really cleared things up (so thank you ) but I was confused in regards to you saying that Adoniah and Moses consummated the marriage because in Yasher 74 :31- 38 it explains how he never had sex with her because of Exodus 34:11-16 and genesis 9:22-27. Zipporah - Wikipedia 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. [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. Fearn: Christian Focus Publications, 2011. There are several interesting passages about interactions between Zipporah, her husband, and her in-laws. 2:1517). [23], Zipporah is often included in Exodus-related drama. Exodus 18:2 After Moses had sent back his wife Zipporah, his father-in 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. Zipporah was one of 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. We would have to read it and compare, and the Spirit should lead you, Shalom. What Is The True Sabbath Day? Let us know. God did not agree, punishing Miriam with leprosy to make an example of their bigotry and pride. So the answer to the question, whether or not Moses married an Ethiopian has been answered, and the answer is, Yes! Exodus 18:2-5. There is no information about how Zipporah felt about it, and she is still a mystery in many ways. We are told that Moses led the Ethiopians in battle against the Magician Balaam and his two sons (Jasher 72:3,6), who had taken over the Ethiopian castle and convinced the Ethiopians to betray their original king while he was in battle. 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. In return for her good deed, God gave Moses permission to marry her (Exodus 18:13). On their way, at a night encampment, The Lord met him [Moses] and tried to kill him(Exod 4:24). Zipporah's father was a Midianite, which means that she was a Midianite as well. in the Bible: A Feminist Approach. The latter tries to help, and is punished. Answer: Some think Moses married a woman of a different race than he was. That was in the year 2238 after Creation. While she is introduced early in Exodus, very little is said about her. This is the first time I have heard that Moses had an Ethiopian wife! 31 And they placed the royal crown upon his head, and they gave him for a wife Adoniah the Cushite queen, wife of Kikianus. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim. Behind him to his right stands his wife, a black womanpossibly Zipporah. As with other major Biblical figures, the venue of the first encounter between Moses and Zipporah, his future wife, was beside a well (Ex. Much more likely is that Zipporah had died (although her death is not recorded in Scripture) and that Moses had remarried. : 247 Inspiration. 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. Does the Bible Condemn Using Tarot Cards? 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. 2 After Moses had sent back his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had received her, 3 along with her two sons. Nor had I heard of the book of Jasher. InNum 12:1Miriamand Aaron speak against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he married, but they do not mention her name. Its worth reading and very insightful. After Moses kills an Egyptian, he flees from the pharaoh and settles among the Midianites, an Arab people who occupied desert areas in southern Transjordan, northern Arabia, and the Sinai. 47 Also when he went down to Egypt he took it into his hand and gave it to Joseph, one portion above his brethren, for Jacob had taken it by force from his brother Esau. The Bible records, "She gave birth to a son, and . Jacob was alone and wrestled with the angel all night; Moses is with his wife, who comes to his rescue. Saturday Or Sunday? Zipporah may be one of the most intriguing figures in the early books of the Bible. 4:2426. Vetus of Moses' wife. 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). 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). 18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day? 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 ). Getting Closer to God Lessons from the Life of Moses. What can be understood is that Moses had not had his son circumcised eight days after his birth, neglecting his covenant responsibility as a descendent of Abraham. Zipporah: The Midianite Wife of Moses - Black History In The Bible Part of why God cursed Miriam with leprosy was because Moses would not stand up to her. She circumcised her. 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. 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. There are some people in the Bible whose lives we only see in bits and pieces, and Zipporah is one of those figures. Who Was Zipporah and What Can We Learn from Her Life. 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). After the battle, Tharbis the Ethiopian queen made an agreement to marry Moses and he accepted. [26] She is the main character in Marek Halter's novel Zipporah, Wife of Moses (2005).[27]. Miriam: Bible | Jewish Women's Archive 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. Moses is told that his father-in-law Jethro is coming to see you, with your wife and her two sons (Exod i8:6). Pardes, Ilana. Eventually Reuel the Midianite ended up with the stick after the death of Joseph. Forty years passed, and God called Moses back to Egypt to deliver Israel. I love the explanation it has answered my many questions. (Viewed on May 1, 2023)
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