Zipporah: The Wife of Moses and Her Significance in the Bible

Zipporah, also known as the daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian, plays a significant role in the Biblical narrative surrounding Moses and her own unique and challenging story. This article delves into her identity, her relationship with Moses, and the cultural and religious contexts that shaped her life.

Background: The Midianites and Jethro

Zipporah belonged to the Midianites, a people who were descendants of Abraham and, by extension, related to the Israelites. Jethro, her father, was a priest of Midian, and his stories about the Akkadians and Sumerians formed the basis for the Torah that Moses wrote down. This goes to show the profound influence Jethro had on Moses, shaping his beliefs and writing skills.

Zipporah's Marriage to Moses

Zipporah and Moses met under unusual circumstances. After his escape from Egypt, where he had taken on the responsibility of killing an Egyptian and hiding him, Moses fled to Midian. There, he was welcomed by a man named Reuel (also known as Jethro) who had seven daughters. Zipporah, one of the daughters, was married to Moses through the intercession of Reuel, who recognized in Moses a good man worthy of his daughters.

The significance of Zipporah's marriage to Moses can be seen in several verses of the Bible. Exodus 2:21 states, 'Moses agreed to stay with the man who had given his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. This act of marriage provided Moses with the necessary protection and support in his new life in Midian.'

Symbolism of Circumcision and Divine Intervention

One of the most notable events in the story of Zipporah and Moses involves the rite of circumcision. In Exodus 4:24-26, a tense moment occurred when Zipporah's son was nearly circumcised at the wrong time. Scripture records, 'And it came about at the night season, that the LORD met him, and sought to put him to death. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at Moses, and said, Truly you are a bridegroom of blood to me! Therefore, it is said, 'Surely a bridegroom of blood it is to me of the household of Moses. As a result, it was Zipporah herself who performed the circumcision to save her husband. This incident highlighted the importance of circumcision in the religious and cultural traditions of the Israelites.

The Intermarriage Controversy with Moses' Sisters

The marriage between Moses and Zipporah, particularly her Cushite or African heritage, caused controversy among Moses' own family. Miriam, Moses' sister, and Aaron, his brother, disapproved of their interracial marriage. Numbers 12:1 records their disagreement: 'Miriam and Aaron began to speak against Moses on account of his Cushite wife—For she had been a woman of Cush.' In retaliation, God punished Miriam with leprosy, as cited in Numbers 12:10: 'Then the anger of the LORD burned against them. He departed from them. On the face of the tent of meeting the cloud was covered over, and the glory of the LORD appeared. And behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.'

Conclusion

Through her marriage to Moses and subsequent trials, Zipporah represents a unique figure in the Bible. Her story illustrates the complex cultural and religious dynamics of the time, as well as the challenges faced by those who straddled multiple identities. Zipporah's character adds depth to the narrative of Moses and highlights the often-overlooked roles of women in the Bible.