Eventually Reuel the Midianite ended up with the stick after the death of Joseph. The expression "Cushite woman" is used disparagingly against Moses because he . Required fields are marked *, 2020 We Are Hebrew | Bible Facts & Bible Notes |, 22 comments on Moses Wife: Zipporah Or Tharbis (Adoniah)?. [4] Hobab is also the name of Jethro's son in Numbers 10:29. She takes a flint and cuts off her sons foreskin. The Israelite Samaritan Version of the Torah: First English Translation Compared with the Masoretic Version. Alonso de Sandoval, 17th century Jesuit, reasoned that Zipporah and the Cushite woman was the same person, and that she was black. 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. The Bible records, "She gave birth to a son, and . After the battle, Tharbis the Ethiopian queen made an agreement to marry Moses and he accepted. Times 106 (1995): 203205. 17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. The Rabbis explain that Moses sent Zipporah to her fathers house in Midian only out of fear that Egyptian servitude would harm her. It therefore does not matter what was the ethnic heritage, lineage, etc. According to the Jewish Women's Archive, when Moses killed a man in Egypt, he rushed to hide among the Midianites. Robinson, Bernard P. Zipporah to the Rescue: A Contextual Study of Exodus The underlying aim of the midrashim that recount how Zipporahs beauty was preserved in her old age is to aggrandize Moses. 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. 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. 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. In the Bible, women are often praised when they are obedient but they sometimes disappear from the text after giving birth or getting married. What Is The True Sabbath Day? The most popular incident is when Moses is challenged by Aaron and Miriam, because of his marriage to an Ethiopian woman (Numbers 12:1). Some women are beautiful in their youth but are repulsive in their old age. Moses marries Zipporah [ edit] Here where we see in the Book of Jasher the same history documented in the Josephus histories. Boast Not Against The Branches: Olive Tree Bible Verse Explained. Its your duty to train them up in the way that they should go (Proverbs 22:6). He was instrumental in getting back the Ethiopian castle after it was abducted by Balaam the Magician and his two sons. Zipporah. When Jethro invited Moses into his house, the latter entered the garden and saw the staff. Tsedaka, Benyamim, and Sharon Sullivan, eds. 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. Read the latest from JWA from your inbox. Your email address will not be published. In the book of Jasher Moses was made king after the death of the Ethiopian King Kikianus death: 34 And they wished to choose on that day a man for king from the army of Kikianus, and they found no object of their choice like Moses to reign over them. If you havent read the apocrypha (It fills the gap between Malachi and Matthew), the book of Maccabees within it will shed light on the Romans conquest over Israel. In conversations we have daily on the Word of God and the life of great men like Moses my questions are answered know. The first sign of trouble came when Moses set off to Egypt after forty years of exile. According to the Jewish Women's Archive, when Moses killed a man in Egypt, he rushed to hide among the Midianites. Moses marries Zipporah during his time in Midian. 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. 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. I cant tell you how much this helped me. Moses goes out to greet Jethro and takes him into his tent, but nothing is said about his greeting Zipporah. Zipporahs actions led to a Talmudic discussion of womens ability to perform circumcision. 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 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. [4] Hobab is also the name of Jethro's son in Numbers 10:29 . Thank you! [26] She is the main character in Marek Halter's novel Zipporah, Wife of Moses (2005).[27]. The ribbons in her hat resemble a cross. 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. Let us know. Zipporah is presented as the leaders wife, who suffers from the life of abstinence decreed for her husband. In Hebrew, her name means "bird" or "little bird.". [23], Zipporah is often included in Exodus-related drama. Shalom! Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corporation, 1967. 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. 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. of Moses' wife. The men that decided the cannon (i.e. And not for a few months as Moses may have assumed. One day while he sat by a well, Reuel's daughters came to water their father's flocks. 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. When her father identified Moses as his future son-in-law, she ran to bring him from the well, and hence became his wife. After God commanded Moses to return to Egypt to free the Israelites, Moses took his wife and sons and started his journey. Zipporah's father was a Midianite, which means that she was a Midianite as well. His name is Midian, which made him the forefather of the Midianites. 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. Rabbah 2:33; Mann, Fragments from the Geniza, fragment 12, p. 95). Josephus was a devout Jew, who lived just after the death of the Messiah, he had knowledge of all the historical information about Israel. At the time of Moses marriage to Zipporah he was no longer married to the Ethiopian Adoniah (Tharbis). He planted the staff in the garden of his house, and no man could approach it. 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. Jethro was one of the magicians of Egypt, and when he saw Pharaohs staff with its magical symbols, he desired it and took it. 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). Hopefully this article has helped clear up the questions you may have had about Moses wives. The sons of Ham, mentioned within the Book of Genesis, have been identified with nations in Africa (Ethiopia, Egypt, Libya), the Levant (Canaan), and Arabia. [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"). But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 18:2). It is always good to study the Scriptures deeper and further. 18: . Lutzer, Erwin. [13]:248,253254, In the Druze religion, Zipporah's father Jethro is revered as the spiritual founder, chief prophet, and ancestor of all Druze. As with other major Biblical figures, the venue of the first encounter between Moses and Zipporah, his future wife, was beside a well (Ex. Another interpretation, however, has this danger hovering over Moses, and in order to save him, Zipporah circumcises their son. See answer (1) Best Answer Copy The Scripture is silent on Zipporah after Exodus 18, not saying whether she died or did not stay with Moses after the incident in Exodus 4:24-26. The last time the Bible mentions Zipporah is when she is at Mount Horeb with her family, according to Daily Journal. Many of the patriarchs had multiple wives, and we dont know the details of their relationships. These scriptures should clear up any misunderstandings you may have had about these different names. Jewish Women's Archive. It might refer to the child, for in response Zipporah cuts off her sons foreskin and thus saves his life. Once the Israelites were closer to his own land, he came to visit and brought Zipporah and the two boys with him. She then touched Moses saying, "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!" InNum 12:1Miriamand Aaron speak against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he married, but they do not mention her name. ET on EWTN: Holy Mass and Rosary on Saturday, April 22, 2023 Tell us where you're. Zipporahis a Midianite woman who becomes the wife of Moses. Moses' First Wife - Zipporah Moses was an exile. but I was confused in regards to you saying that Adoniah and Moses consummated the marriage?? Their parting took place on the way, following the encounter with Aaron. So that they also keep Yahs commands (John 14:21-27) and enter his kingdom too. Zipporah was called a Cushite, meaning at least part if not all of her heritage was from Africa. Daughter to a priest, wife of the emancipator of the Israelites from captivity and bondage in Egypt, her unique status invites many questions. He then planted it in the ground (Jasher 77:48) waiting for a man who was worthy to pluck it from the ground. This is the first time I have heard that Moses had an Ethiopian wife! Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/kieferpix. 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. 12). But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. While most people would feel grateful when a person saves their lives, Moses didn't seem to appreciate it. Patterson, Dorothy. 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. They had several rough patches in their marriage in part because of Moses devotion to his responsibilities. 21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. 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). Despite the difficulties in their relationship, Moses and Zipporah did have two children and were married for decades before he went back to Egypt. Shalom. 11). Who Was Zipporah and What Can We Learn from Her Life. 31 And they placed the royal crown upon his head, and they gave him for a wife Adoniah the Cushite queen, wife of Kikianus. Her father Jethro was the priest of Midian, and it was he that gave Zipporah to Moses to marry. 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. Below you will see one of the sons Abraham had with his late wife Keturah. That was in the year 2238 after Creation. The Rabbis ascribe many traits to Zipporah, whom they considered as differing from other women, in a positive sense, in both appearance and deed. The Bible records, She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, I have been a sojourner in a foreign land (Exodus 2:22). 2021 23 Jul The wife of Moses is named Zipporah. Your question refers to Numbers 12:1 that states his mate was a Cushite, a term often used to refer to African nations. They believed Zipporahs ethnicity disqualified him from being Gods sole mouthpiece. God then left Moses alone (Exodus 4:2426). As you can see above Abrahams second wife Kenturah gave birth to children and one of them was the father of the Midianites. Does the Bible Condemn Using Tarot Cards? 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. 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. The text does not reveal that Zipporah was the Cushite woman spoken of in Numbers 12. Her last years and the circumstances of her death are unknown. Moses recognized this quality in her, as it is said (Num. On his journey he took Zipporah and his son Gershom, who was uncircumcised. 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! When he was with Jethro, he saw how fine were her actions. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. A beautiful woman, she had received a special blessing that her comeliness would last her into old age. 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. In thanks, Jethro--known as the Priest of Midian--invited him to stay in his camp, and gave him Zipporah to marry. Zipporah was a midianite who are a nation that were birthed by Abraham, which made Zipporah Shemitic. Moses therefore fled from Egypt, and arrived in Midian. Just as everyone speaks of the blackness of the Cushite, so do all proclaim the beauty of Zipporah (Tanhuma, Zav 13). Zipporah, however, understood it and acted decisively to rescue Moses. Zipporahs actions led to a Talmudic discussion of the ability of women to perform circumcision. The predicate of this verse is unclear. A Midianite, a Cushite, or both? 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. 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. Thanks for the expository (article). 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. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2013. 46 And when Jacob had fled to Padan-aram, he took it into his hand, and when he returned to his father he had not left it behind him. There, Moses stood up for seven young women who were drawing water who were being driven away from the well by shepherds. 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. Zipporah is not well rewarded. Expository 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. in the Bible: A Feminist Approach. Their son did. We would have to read it and compare, and the Spirit should lead you, Shalom. No sooner was the agreement made, but it took effect immediately; and when Moses had cut off the Ethiopians, he gave thanks to God, and consummated his marriage, and led the Egyptians back to their own land. The Rabbis suggest that Miriam and Aaron talked about Moses having withdrawn from his wife. Citizens born into the land were forbidden by God's law to "vex" (oppress or otherwise mistreat) those aliens around them as they, too, were at one time strangers in Egypt (Exodus 22:21, Leviticus 19:33). Salem Media Group. That being said I did not say Moses had sex with his Ethiopian wife in this article, they were just married. Lets look at what the scriptures actually say by starting in the book of Exodus. 39). [3] In Exodus 2:18, Jethro is also referred to as Reuel, and in the Book of Judges ( Judges 4:11) as Hobab. They answer that just as a Cushite has different skin, Zipporah was different, since she was more comely than all other women. Zipporah noticed her husband was at risk and swiftly used a stone to cut their son's foreskin. Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. He thereupon accepted the offer, on condition she would procure the delivering up of the city; and gave her the assurance of an oath to take her to his wife; and that when he had once taken possession of the city, he would not break his oath to her. When Laban gave him his daughters, Jacob deceived him and fled far away. In the midrashic presentation, Moses took them with him because he wanted them to be with the Israelites when they received the Torah (Ex. [6][7][8] In the story, Aaron and Miriam criticize Moses' marriage to a Cushite woman. "the written Torah." Some women are fit but not comely, while others are comely but not fit, while Zipporah was both beautiful and fit. There, Moses met a man named Jethro and received Jethro's daughter Zipporah in marriage. Answer Zipporah in the Bible was the wife of Moses and the daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Does God Really Work All Things Together for Good? How can we know which is correct? When Miriam saw the lamps, she exclaimed: Happy are these, and happy are their wives! Zipporah corrected her: Do not say, happy are their wives, rather, woe to their wives. 17K views, 519 likes, 455 loves, 3.7K comments, 232 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from EWTN: Starting at 8 a.m. [14][15][16][17][18] Moses was allowed to wed Zipporah after helping save Jethro's daughters and their flock from competing herdsmen. 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.
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