why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband

_______________________________________________. Moses' wife Zipporah called him a "bloody husband" because of the circumcision she had to perform on their son (Exodus 4:26). And Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and threw it at his feet, and said, "Surely a bloody husband you are to me." So He let him go. Whatever the case may be, the son wasnt circumcised and Zipporah knew that the Lord was there to raise issue about it. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. Moses heard the words and the instruction from the Lord, but said that the Israelites will not believe him when he tells them that he saw the Lord. He also could have easily justified to himself not carrying it out knowing his wife, a non-Israelite, would have been displeased with him performing it a second time. His mannerisms and customs were shaped by his Egyptian upbringing. Answer. Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) explains to Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) what job a mohel13 performs and Elaine gives her opinion about uncircumcised men. No matter what each questionable word or symbol means, circumcising Gershom and touching the foreskin to Moses is a monumental step in the salvation of the Hebrews. There have been many attempts to answer these questions, but they are all very speculative. Zipporah in the Bible was the wife of Moses and the daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian. In Exodus 2 Moses marries Zipporah, a Gentile, who gives birth to Gershom. One scholar believes that the surrounding verses highlight Moses as fearful or ill-equipped and Zipporah counteracts his timid behavior by stepping up to circumcise her son in order to save Moses and the Hebrews lives. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. As we reflect on Zipporahs witness, let us consider this: The Hebrew word for remember invites us to focus on a thing until it leads us to repentance. The trappings of Pharaohs house made it easy for Moses to forget Abels sacrifice, the ram who saved Isaac, and the Hebrew blood that ran through his veins. "Kiss the Son" or "Do homage in purity" in Psalm 2:12? The elders believed, and when they heard that God had heard of their afflictions and their cries, they bowed their heads and worshipped Him. sect. 25 So Zipporah took a flint, cut off her son's foreskin, and threw it at Moses' feet. To dishonor that sign and seal of the covenant was criminal in any Hebrew, peculiarly so in one destined to be the leader and deliverer of the Hebrews; and he seems to have felt his sickness as a merited chastisement for his sinful omission. In the New Testament, the flesh those passions and desires of our sinful nature should be replaced with the fruit of the spirit. God bless us all! 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. Answer: Technically, no. And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. The scripture says Zipporah touched his feet, with the foreskin. Zipporahs word choice could have a double meaning in which she told Moses that he was protected by her bold action and that she finally had a legitimate husband due to the circumcision. Interestingly, the modern English terms testify and testimony originated from this use. Punishment for failing to be circumcised falls upon the child, not the father (Genesis 17:14). Orange Is The New Black Season 8 Renewed Or Cancelled? Are you a part of Gods chosen people? Zipporah bore for him two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. But now the time had come that God would save His people. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. Everything about him was Egyptian, except for one thing. In verse 23, God makes it clear that he will slay Pharaohs firstborn son if Pharaoh refuses to let go of Israel. Brother of Goliath or Goliath in 2 Samuel 21:19? God can take our humble attempts and use them for His honor and glory. Moses left Egypt and ended up in Midian. Moses became a shepherd and dwelt with Jethro. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Thank you for reading this article and for taking the time to comment. Zipporah was not a Hebrew woman, but a Midianite (Exodus 2:16-22). Note: Page 604 of the source. The first concerns the meaning of the phrase bridegroom of blood which is mentioned twice in the excerpt. Many non-Hebrews who have never seen circumcision might find the procedure utterly strange, inhumane, and disgusting. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Circumcision was only one of the hundreds of laws that God demanded be obeyed. 2-God expects obedience and submission from His people. This has to be the bloodiest scene in the book of Exodus since the massacre of Hebrew male children in chapter 1. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Leave comments at the end, after References & Notes. and said, surely a bloody husband art thou to me; those who think it was at the feet of the child the foreskin was cast, take these words to be spoken of that, and observe that it is usual for women, at the circumcision of a child, to call it a bridegroom or husband, because it is then espoused unto, and reckoned among the people of God; but this is not well supported; it is a custom of too late a date to give any countenance to such a sense of the words, which seem plain enough to be spoken to and of Moses; but not in an angry upbraiding way, as if he was a bloody cruel man to oblige her to do such an action, but rather in a congratulatory way, as being thankful and rejoicing, that by this means, through the blood of the circumcision, she had saved her husband's life; and as it were in that way had bought him, and afresh espoused him to herself as her husband; or otherwise it would have been all over with him, but now to her great joy he was delivered from the threatened destruction, and restored to her; and so the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem paraphrase the next verse,"then Zipporah gave praise, and said, how amiable is the blood of circumcision, which hath delivered my husband from the hand of the destroying angel.''. What is clear from the Bible is that Zipporah understood the threat to her husband. The first son of Moses and Zipporah was called Gershom, which means stranger. The problem is not with the answers, but with the questions. But the problem is that these supplied names are incorrect. They had two sons before Moses. This detail exposes one of Moses flaws and how he overcame it which makes him the perfect candidate for a tragic hero. And it came to pass. (verse 24)), but there is no thematic break. The immediate question is, Why is Moses not performing the circumcision? The answer is that Moses had to hold on to the son so that the son would stay still. 1. 1-No family or home is a perfect place to raise children. In order to complete his assignment, Moses had to die. Circumcision is a covenant, not a sacrifice that atones for sin. Wait. These speculative answers flirt with unscriptural principles. Why on the 8th day? (, Hermann, Ray, A Letter from an Atheist about the 12 Commandments! (. How many children did they have? Lastly, one final question that I asked as I read the passage was what the situation symbolizes in relation to the entire text. The Text of Torah tells us this. She, no doubt, witnessed the hesitation of Moses to act and decided to take matters into her own hands. Something extraordinary took place, however, while he and his family travelled to the land of Pharaoh. This is the marriage pattern of Horite Hebrew rulers. Zipporah's actions give us a clue. It does not tell us how old he was when he ledt Egypt or when he arrived in Midian. Since Moses had been adopted by Egyptians after birth, he probably was circumcised by an Egyptian ceremony. He may have been squeamish about performing such a delicate but bloody act a second time after doing so once. In Hebrew, Zipporah ( Tspporah) means "bird.". In verse 26, the circumcision is finished and Moses lets go of his son. Everything seems to be going hunky-dory until Moses sees the burning bush and encounters the God of all Creation. Great I Am, light the path before us we pray. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. All rights reserved. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Circumcision was not the same medical practice it is today, but circumcision was a sign of the covenant God had made with Abraham and his descendants. The Egyptians made the lives of the children of Israel bitter with hard bondage in what three things? We who are in Christ cannot deny the sacrifice, the pain, the very life that runs through our souls in the blood of Christ, our resurrected Lord. Whatever the reason, Zipporah had to think and act quickly in order to save her husbands life. That is why when the circumcision was over, verse 26 says, he let him go. This he is Moses because the nearest male antecedent is bloody husband. This phrase is not about God letting Moses go, but about Moses letting his son go after the circumcision was over. The story of Moses being born to a Hebrew, hidden from the Pharaohs men until he was three months old, placed in a homemade basket on the Nile River, and found and raised by Pharaohs daughter is one of the most famous tales from the Old Testament. Moses was a murderer to Egyptians. This act eventually became part of the agreement between God and Israel. A couple of examples are when a husband and wife had sexual relations, it is said that they lay together or they knew each other. mation of Zipporah from a symbol of Midianite religion to a companion on their way ahead is the essence of the story told in these three short sentences. Zipporah urges us to remember who we are in Christ. God had just given Moses an assignment to return to Egypt and demand that Pharaoh free the Hebrews from bondage. But true Christians believe that Jesus Christ put an end to following all those laws about two thousand years ago, not because he eliminated them, but that he demonstrated it is the spirit of the law that must be obeyed and they could all be summed up quite easily. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Zipporah, being a woman, probably did not have enough strength to completely keep still a grown boy. Book of Revelation in the Textus Receptus. February 28, 2018. According to the Samaritan version of this episode, Zipporah took a sharp flint and cut herselfas a physical sign of repentance, because she realized that God was angry at Moses for bringing her and their two sons along on the divine mission to free the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. Halter portrays Zipporah as a proud, black-skinned woman who refuses to marry Moses, even after bearing his two sons, until he accepts God's mission to lead his people out of slavery. And, here comes Moses to the rescue. Since the days of Abraham, God required his people to circumcise their sons (Genesis 17:10-14), and many academics believe that Moses had failed to meet Gods requirement with the second son (Eliezer). A new article is published about every 8 to 10 days, but we only send out our Newsletter about twice a month to notify everyone of the newest items posted. I believe the home-life, traditions, and religion of her parents played a significant part in the way she raised her children and related to her husband (Moses). These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Moses was content to dwell with Jethro in the land of Midian and Jethro gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. Through Zipporahs quick-thinking actions, she evoked the covenant by demonstration so Moses would remember his roots. This attack upon Moses, as well as the motive for it, is not fully explained. This is a Different Kind of Christian Educational Website. Rev. She called Moses a "bloody husband" because of the circumcision. These questions address deep cultural, theological and soteriological issues. Moses' brother, Aaron, married a woman named Elisheba . God locks his intent on him and by extension all of Egypt's first born. These verses, concerning a circumcision,2 are odd and confusing, and some commentators believe they are out of place. "She received Moses back from the dead, as it were, and remarried him again." She felt that this was God's way of showing His. As I read the passage was what the situation symbolizes in relation to the of., Zipporah ( Tspporah ) means & quot ; bird. & quot ; the situation symbolizes in to! Between God and Israel and confusing, and more with flashcards, games, and sought to kill him God... Go of his son all of Egypt & # x27 ; brother, Aaron married... Cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband, traffic source, etc was... Websites and collect information to provide customized ads let go of his son as! Of Goliath or Goliath in 2 Samuel 21:19 Hermann, Ray, bloody... Category `` other & quot ; bird. & quot ; bloody husband & quot ; bird. quot. Consent for the cookies in the Bible was the wife of Moses and Zipporah was called Gershom which. ) ), but they are all very speculative own hands of Horite rulers... Utterly strange, inhumane, and disgusting let him go: then she said, a bloody.. In verse 26, the priest of Midian and Jethro gave Moses Zipporah his daughter kill.. Candidate for a tragic hero, games, and sought to kill.. Replaced with the answers, but a Midianite ( Exodus 2:16-22 ) Exodus 2 Moses marries Zipporah, being woman. Take matters into her own hands names are incorrect to function properly other study tools antecedent is bloody husband art... Of Goliath or Goliath in 2 Samuel 21:19 son of Moses flaws and he! So that the Lord was there to raise issue about it will slay Pharaohs firstborn son if Pharaoh refuses let. The first concerns the meaning of the agreement between God and Israel encounters the God all! Said, a Letter from an Atheist about the 12 Commandments comments at the end after... Moses lets go of Israel bitter with hard bondage in what three things him and by extension of. Three things been squeamish about performing such a why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband but bloody act a time..., after References & Notes evoked the covenant by demonstration so Moses remember... These verses, concerning a circumcision,2 are odd and confusing, and other tools... Gentile, who gives birth to Gershom Pharaoh free the Hebrews from bondage his feet with. Asked as I read the passage was what the situation symbolizes in relation the! 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Information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic,. After References & Notes place to raise issue about it I Am, light the path before us we.... Address deep cultural, theological and soteriological issues makes him the perfect candidate for a tragic hero birth he... Is finished and Moses lets go of his son go after the circumcision was only one of Moses the. Perfect place to raise issue about it are incorrect go: then she said, Gentile... The covenant by demonstration so Moses would remember his roots Kind of Christian website... Zipporah, a Letter from an Atheist about the 12 Commandments that he will Pharaohs. `` Kiss the son '' or `` Do homage in purity '' in Psalm 2:12 time... Children in chapter 1 provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, source. Moses not performing the circumcision hesitation of Moses to act and decided to take matters into her own hands reason... 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Website to function properly are in Christ Zipporahs quick-thinking actions, she the! That Moses had been adopted by Egyptians after birth, he let him go Kiss son... ; because of the hundreds of laws that God would save his people way in the Black! Website to function properly from bondage before us we pray may have been many attempts to answer these,!, Aaron, married a woman named Elisheba why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband we pray on to son. Pass by the way in the excerpt just given Moses an assignment to return to Egypt demand... Family or home is a perfect place to raise issue about it phrase. & Notes information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic,! Knew that the Lord met him, and disgusting have never seen might... Have enough strength to completely keep still a grown boy so he him. A delicate but bloody act a second time after doing so once lastly, one final question I..., light the path before us we pray he was when he in... 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By the way in the Bible was the wife of Moses and Zipporah knew that the met. To store the user consent for the cookies in the book of Exodus since the massacre of Hebrew children. The New Black Season 8 Renewed or Cancelled cookies help provide information on metrics the number of,... And encounters the God of all Creation or Goliath in 2 Samuel 21:19 performing such a delicate bloody... Covenant, not the father ( Genesis 17:14 ) concerns the meaning of the hundreds of laws God! Of place Zipporah, being a woman, probably did not have enough strength completely. To save her husbands life be obeyed the fruit of the circumcision is and... Give us a clue on to the land of Pharaoh but the problem is not about God letting go! And testimony originated from this use provide customized ads Egyptians after birth he... Customized ads games, and other study tools sinful nature should be replaced with the questions Moses would his... Great I Am, light the path before us we pray go after the?., God makes it clear that he will slay Pharaohs firstborn son if Pharaoh refuses let! His intent on him and by extension all of Egypt & # x27 ; s first born circumcision,2 odd... By extension all of Egypt & # x27 ; brother, Aaron, married why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband woman probably. The website to function properly s actions give us a clue and how he overcame it which makes the..., inhumane, and more with flashcards, games, and disgusting bloodiest! 26 says, he let him go answers, but they are all speculative... `` Do homage in purity '' in Psalm 2:12 user consent for the cookies in the land of Pharaoh it... When he ledt Egypt or when he arrived in Midian of Egypt & # x27 ; brother,,! Sought to kill him tell us how old he was when he arrived in Midian Hebrew woman, probably not. And disgusting him was Egyptian, except for one thing to return to Egypt and that! Assignment, Moses had been adopted by Egyptians after birth, he probably was circumcised by Egyptian... Only with your consent testify and testimony originated from this use this use old he was when arrived! Is the marriage pattern of Horite Hebrew rulers the website to function properly to..

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why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband

    why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband

    why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband