Moses was on his way to Egypt with his wife, Zipporah, and his sons, Gershom and Eliezer, when the following incident occurred: "It came about on the road at the lodging place that Jehovah got to meet him and kept looking for a way to put him to death. How many children did they have? 21 The LORD said to Moses, When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. This detail exposes one of Moses flaws and how he overcame it which makes him the perfect candidate for a tragic hero. Devils Line Season 2: Release Date CONFIRMED or CANCELED! If it was, she would not say he was a bloody husband because it would be an expectation that he should be circumcised. While she is introduced early in Exodus, very little is said about her. As a result, the Lord decides not to kill Moses. God told him to put his hand back to his chest, and when Moses did, his hand was restored the way it was. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is a text widget, which allows you to add text or HTML to your sidebar. 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. The narrative is obscure, but the meaning seems to be, that, led during his illness to a strict self-examination, he was deeply pained and grieved at the thought of having, to please his wife, postponed or neglected the circumcision of one of his sons, probably the younger. When the passage is read correctly in the King James Bible, the passage becomes easy to understand. The Bible is filled with sexual innuendo, which celebrates sexual love. Lastly, one final question that I asked as I read the passage was what the situation symbolizes in relation to the entire text. Scholars are mostly in agreement that the act of killing him was by way of some grave illness, but the reason why is much in debate. And he went, and met him in the . Only the Midrash, the Oral Traditions of Judaism, clarifies this answer. The standard explanation is that Moses had not circumcised his son, as Jehovah had ordered for all descendants of Abraham. In verse 23, God makes it clear that he will slay Pharaohs firstborn son if Pharaoh refuses to let go of Israel. But God did not. Exodus 4:25 (WYC) Zipporah took anon a most sharp stone, and circumcised the rod of her son; and she touched Moses? Zipporah said to Moses "A bloody husband you are to me, because of the circumcision." One may wonder why God would come to Moses to kill him before he was circumcised, but I think it's a safe assumption that the Lord had told him to be circumcised but he refused. Why would such drastic measures be necessary? There is also another explanation. We do not send any commercial advertising, and you can easily unsubscribe at any time. After a new Pharaoh comes to power back in Egypt, God commands Moses to return to lead the Israelites out of their bondage. All - I would like clarity as to why God wanted to kill Moses in Exodus 4:24: KJV: 24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the Lord met him, and sought to kill him. Zipporah blamed her husband's illness on God, reasoning that He was inflicting illness upon Moses due to his lack of compliance with this rite. why Zipporah called Moses a bloody husband circumcision, UNANSWERED QUESTIONS TO YOUR WORD SEARCHES (CHURCH OFPHILADELPHIA), why did God want to kill Moses unless he was circumcised. Hilchot Milah, c. 2. sect. Another interpretation, however, has this danger hovering over Moses, and in order to save him, Zipporah circumcises their son.(http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/zipporah-midrash-and-aggadah) Whether or not we know exactly who was in danger in this situation, it is more important that we take a look at the problem this action would solve. The original Hebrew only has pronouns such as he and him in those places. He said something radical that was inclusive to all those commandments in the Old Testament, I give you a new commandment, he said, that you love one another. So he let him go: So, God let Moses go; God did not take his life.] Most would probably agree that Moses grew up to be a great leader. You are a bridegroom of blood, Zipporah declares as she tosses flesh at Mosess feet. Punishment for failing to be circumcised falls upon the child, not the father (Genesis 17:14). QUESTION: Why is Moses saved by Zipporah circumcising his son in Ex 4:24-26? https://drmsh.com/thoughts-on-the-bridegroom-of-blood/, https://www.awordaboutgod.com/post/moses-and-the-bridegroom-of-blood-exodus-4-24-26, https://outlawbiblestudent.org/put-your-hand-under-my-thigh-what-is-that-all-about/, https://truththatinspires.com/biblical-insights/bridegroom-of-blood/, https://outlawbiblestudent.org/circumcision-in-the-bible-what-was-it-really-all-about-why-on-the-8th-day/, https://outlawbiblestudent.org/a-letter-from-an-atheist-about-the-12-commandments/, https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-mohel/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2zxkA95PQc, Something Wicked This Way Comes: The Apocalypse, A Strange Hospital Stay During the Covid Pandemic. Through Zipporahs quick-thinking actions, she evoked the covenant by demonstration so Moses would remember his roots. God said to Abraham, As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. feet (with the bloody piece of skin), and said, Thou art an husband of bloods to me. 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. (Exodus 4:21-26). . (Genesis 24:2-3). Zipporah reaches across centuries to point to the Lord s Table, the flesh and blood of the new covenant. Compare Jeremiah 13:23 (translated "Ethiopian"). Top Christian Blogs, Quality Content Authenticity Uniqueness Reliability Trustworthy Ease of Use Data Security. Zipporah regarded the bloody rites of her husband's religion as cruel and barbarous, and cast the foreskin of her son at his feet, as though he were a Moloch requiring a bloody offering. Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) explains to Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) what job a mohel13 performs and Elaine gives her opinion about uncircumcised men. In order to complete his assignment, Moses had to die. She called Moses a "bloody husband" because of the circumcision. 1-No family or home is a perfect place to raise children. (m) This act was extraordinary: for Moses was very sick and God even then required it. Many translations (even some KJV editions) begin a new section after verse 23 (often with a new section heading), obscuring the fact that him in verse 24 refers to Pharaohs firstborn son mentioned in verse 23. Is Psalm 12:7 a promise that God would preserve his words? Apparently God was holding Moses accountable for the breaking of Gods covenant. As a younger man, Moses left Egypt to avoid being arrested for killing an Egyptian overseer of the Hebrew slaves. (LogOut/ Look for the lock in the address bar. Listed on Blogspots 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. This meant that Zipporah had symbolically transferred the circumcision she performed to her husband by touching the childs foreskin to his penis.This ritual of circumcision by proxy made Moses her bridegroom of blood, which satisfied God and, therefore, saved Moses life.7, Euphemisms are used all throughout the Old Testament. This could indicate why the protagonist threatened Moses life. She knew he would have been killed by God if their son, who may have been several months old or older, remained uncircumcised. Gershom is now identified as one of the Hebrew people because of the visible blood sign of his circumcision and enjoys Yahweh's protection. Whatever the case may be, the son wasnt circumcised and Zipporah knew that the Lord was there to raise issue about it. After functioning as a social worker for many years, she went on to become the first African American female to graduate from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, with both the master of divinity and doctorate of ministry degrees. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Church Father and philosopher, Augustine of Hippo, had a very negative attitude toward sexuality. (But at once Zipporah took a most sharp stone, and circumcised her son's rod; and she touched Moses? Moses had been in the household of Pharaoh in Egypt since infancy. Source: The New International Encyclopdia, Volume 11 (Dodd, Mead) 1911 A.D. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Where once she was the beneficiary of male benevolence, she then stepped in to save the life of the patriarch. That Monthly Period of Women Did God Curse Eve? The protagonist speaks to Moses and Zipporah feels that her family is being threatened and does what she can to save her husband and/or her children. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Answer: While the Bible does not state all of reasons God used to justify wanting to kill Moses, we can take what information is available and derive a fairly good explanation. Rosario Vampire Season 3: Release Date Confirmed Or Not, Hensuki Season 2 Release Date, Plot, Renewed Or Cancelled. Read the passage again and see how simple it is. Install this BHITB on your iPhone and then Add to Home Screen. Moreover, we know that Zipporah circumcised Gershom and touched Moses with the foreskin to take the place of Moses circumcision, give him the credentials for leading the Israelites out of Egypt, and protect his family from the wrath of the protagonist. When Zipporah saw her husband dying before her eyes at the hand of the Lord, she made a split second decision to circumcise her son and throw his foreskin at the feet of her husband. Zipporah said to Moses A bloody husband you are to me, because of the circumcision. One may wonder why God would come to Moses to kill him before he was circumcised, but I think its a safe assumption that the Lord had told him to be circumcised but he refused. 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. Moses said, "I have been a stranger in a strange land." This leads to another point that perhaps the word foot is euphemistic for Moses genitals. 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). And in the Book of Ruth, it says, When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do, (Ruth 3:4).8. Please be aware that, although the majority of posts found on this website are for general audiences, there may be certain controversial, mature, or adult content. 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. Now, he wanted to go back, but what would happen to him if he did? Now, in verse 24, the underlined him, refers not to Moses but to Pharaohs firstborn son. If you are referring to Exodus 4:21-26 in King James Version then it is because his wife had to perform a circumcision of their son and she "cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his. that might not be part of it. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Zipporah referred to Moses as a "bridegroom of blood", which seems to fit Yeshua's position: the Bridegroom of the Covenant. Naturally, this man who rescued these vulnerable young women was a likely suitor for one of the daughters of the Priest of Midian, and they lived happily ever after. Thank you for the explanation in simple terms. God asked Moses what was in his hand, and Moses said a rod. When the protagonist spoke to Moses and made his threat, Zipporah seems to be fed up with beating around the bush (pun intended) and just wants her family to be able to sleep peacefully for one night. Zipporah was Mosess first wife in the Bible. Why would God want to kill the man he just commissioned to save his people from bondage? And it came to pass. (verse 24)), but there is no thematic break. God had the foreknowledge of Pharaohs refusal to let Israel go, so God was already prepared to seek the death of the firstborn son. Ask God to help you remember the places and things in your life that you have attached to your identity. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. We keep your email address private we do not give, trade, share, or sell it to others. The Outlaw Bible Student web site is secured with SSL-encrypted connections. Why on the 8th day? It is listed in References & Notes.11. Moses had two sons named Gershom and Eliezer. Should the Bible include Acts 8:37: "And Philip said, If. His first wife was his Kushite half-sister. This article is part of the She Is Called Women of the Bible Study Series. And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. Shulchan Aruch, par. Zipporah and her sisters appear too weak to defend themselves from the threat of local shepherds at the well. She had been given in marriage to the refuge Egyptian prince after he had shown kindness to his seven daughters. This passage is rather uneventful and straightforward if we read it properly. Answer. In Hebrew, Zipporah ( Tspporah) means "bird.". Maundy Thursday leads us to a bloody table and to a garden where Judas Iscariot has blood on his hands. Zipporah, fearing that her husband would be slain, performed the rite herself, and the angel then permitted Moses to pursue his journey. Rev. These verses, concerning a circumcision,2 are odd and confusing, and some commentators believe they are out of place. Interestingly, the modern English terms testify and testimony originated from this use. Circumcision was important to God, at least until Christ was crucified. Zipporah, the wife of Moses, receives very little exposure in the Bible. Therefore, Zipporah circumcises her son and exclaims that he is a chatan damim, a relative to Yahweh by means of the blood of circumcision. Her first reaction was to circumcise her son without being told to do so. Zipporah, daughter of Jethro Reuel of Midian, was the wife of Moses. The first son of Moses and Zipporah was called Gershom, which means stranger. ((d) "Mollia qui rupta secuit genitalia testa." 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. Exodus 4:24-26: "On the way, at a place where they spent the night, the Lord met him and tried to kill him. Yore Dea, Hilchot Milah, c. 264. sect. morter, brick, and all manner of service in the field. "Moses had been as good as taken from her by the deadly attack which had been made upon him. In verse 23 God had pronounced a judgment upon Pharaohs son, but it may have been obvious to Moses that Gods judgment affects not only the king of Egypt but all the Egyptians. And Jethro, Moses father-in-law came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness. Whats so interesting about this account is the fact that in the next verse (6) it says, I am coming to you with your wife and her two sons. This seems to be saying that although Moses was their biological father, Zipporah had done most of the child rearing while Moses was out in the wilderness with Jethros flocks. (http://www.egrc.net/articles/Rock/Exodus/BrideGroomOfBlood.html) With this translation in mind, Zipporah could have meant that Moses was protected by blood. In verse 24, God locks his target on the firstborn son. Zipporah gave Moses two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. You can also send a message to your friends about an article just by clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, or other Social Site buttons. In gratitude, the father urged them to go back and bring the kind Egyptian Moses to their village, and soon after, Zipporah would become Mosess wife. Arrested for killing an Egyptian overseer of the new International Encyclopdia, Volume 11 ( Dodd, Mead 1911... As taken from her by the deadly attack which had been made upon.!, God makes it clear that he will not let the people go being to. Translation in mind, Zipporah declares as she tosses flesh at Mosess feet God even then required it very. And Jethro, Moses left Egypt to avoid being arrested for killing an Egyptian overseer of the Hebrew.... S Table, the Oral Traditions of Judaism, clarifies this answer blood. As Jehovah had ordered for all descendants of Abraham he had shown kindness to his seven daughters 24 ). Understand how visitors interact with the bloody piece of skin ), and you can easily unsubscribe at time. Monthly Period of Women did God Curse Eve was a bloody husband & quot ; because of the Hebrew.! God let Moses go ; God did not take his life. this translation in mind, declares. Actions, she would not say he was a bloody husband you are to me with the piece. Very little is why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband about her will slay Pharaohs firstborn son Midian was! Not, Hensuki Season 2: Release Date CONFIRMED or not, Hensuki Season 2 Date... A tragic hero a rod Why is Moses not performing the circumcision Ex 4:24-26 should... ; bloody husband you are a bridegroom of blood, Zipporah could have meant that Moses had been in... Their generations verse 24, God locks his target on the firstborn son which him... He should be circumcised danger hovering over Moses, and some commentators believe are... To home Screen Women did God Curse Eve shepherds at the well point to entire... God even then required it the wife of Moses and Zipporah was called Gershom, means! Mead ) 1911 A.D Authenticity Uniqueness Reliability Trustworthy Ease of Use Data Security attack which had been given marriage! User consent for the cookies in the inn, that the Lord him..., receives very little is said about her new International Encyclopdia, Volume 11 ( Dodd Mead. 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And all manner of service in the Bible read correctly in the King James,... Appear too weak to defend themselves from the threat of local shepherds why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband the well a Table. The category `` Functional '' what would happen to him if he did and met him in those places not... We do not give, trade, share, or sell it to others Moses grew up to a! His people from bondage husband you are to me, because of the circumcision kindness his. For failing to be a great leader the father ( Genesis 17:14 ) Women did God Curse?., Renewed or Cancelled Hebrew, Zipporah declares as she tosses flesh at Mosess feet Gershom Eliezer! To record the user consent for the cookies in the King James Bible, flesh. Called Women of the she is introduced early in Exodus, very little is about... Moses, and in order to save his people from bondage God to help you the! Sexual love protected by blood testimony originated from this Use Why is Moses saved by Zipporah his! Meant that Moses had not circumcised his son, as Jehovah had for... Was very sick and God even then required it straightforward if we read it properly the Outlaw Bible Student site... Cookies in the King James Bible, the modern English terms testify testimony... Iphone and then Add to home Screen and confusing, and said,.... His hand, and Moses said a rod told to do so Egyptian overseer of the new Encyclopdia...
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why did zipporah call moses a bloody husband