how old was zipporah when she married moses

Blessings to you and your family, Shalom! God used her to be a mother, a partner, and preserved her memory in His Word. 45 And when Abraham had given all he had to his son Isaac, he also gave to him this stick. The latter tries to help, and is punished. The men that decided the cannon (i.e. Rabbah 5:5). When reading the scriptures youll find that Moses was married to Zipporah at the time when he was accused of being married to an Ethiopian. Zipporah is the heroine of a bizarre incident that takes place as Moses heads back to Egypt with his wife and sons(Exod 4:20). The expression "Cushite woman" is used disparagingly against Moses because he . (Viewed on May 1, 2023) . As with other major Biblical figures, the venue of the first encounter between Moses and Zipporah, his future wife, was beside a well (Ex. 31 December 1999. 31 December 1999. The Bible records, "She gave birth to a son, and . However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her. Zipporah was one of them. [21] This view has been used to represent an element of the special relationship between Israeli Jews and Druze.[22]. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. [9][10] One interpretation is that the wife is Zipporah, and that she was referred to as a Cushite though she was a Midianite, because of her beauty. God then left Moses alone (Exodus 4:2426). The Bloody Bridegroom: The Interpretation of Exodus 4:2426. Jacob was alone and wrestled with the angel all night; Moses is with his wife, who comes to his rescue. There, Moses met a man named Jethro and received Jethro's daughter Zipporah in marriage. Another tradition explains that the numerical value of Kushit is the same as the Hebrew yafet mareh (beautiful). Features thousands of biographic and thematic essays on Jewish women around the world. ", Reuel asked them. She then touched Moses saying, "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!" When the daughters of Reuel, a Midianite priest, were being harassed, Moses helped them. Interpretations differ on whether this Cushite woman[he] was one and the same as Zipporah, or another woman, and whether he was married to them simultaneously (which would make him a polygamist) or successively. While this devotion is not a bad thing, it requires extra work to make the relationship work. 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 Marcel Proust's story Swann's Way (1913), Swann is struck by the resemblance of his eventual wife Odette to Sandro Botticellis painting of Zipporah in a Sistine Chapel fresco, and this recognition is the catalyst for his obsession with her. Kadari, Tamar. This article helped to throw more light on issues and matters concerning one of the Biblical figures Moses. Behind him to his right stands his wife, a black womanpossibly Zipporah. A second tradition has Jethro deciding upon Zipporahs marriage to Moses after he brought Moses into his home and came to know his qualities. 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. 99). 18:2). 1920). Thank you! 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). God blessed them with children. In a third tradition, the initiative to marry Zipporah came from Moses himself. No reason is given, just as no reason is given for the angels attack on Jacob as he came back from Mesopotamia(Gen 32:24). Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. With copies of The Book of Jasher in publication. "Zipporah: Midrash and Aggadah." Zipporah was rejoined with Moses early on the Exodus (see Exodus 2:16-22; 18:2-6). There are some people in the Bible whose lives we only see in bits and pieces, and Zipporah is one of those figures. Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. Based on the Bible, there is no prohibition against what people define as different "races" from being married. 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. Pardes, Ilana. Moses recognized this quality in her, as it is said (Num. Everything belongs to Yah. During his education he learned somehow that he was a Hebrew, and his sense of concern and curiosity impelled him to visit his people. They will be prophets, and they will withdraw from their wives, as my husband withdrew from me. Thus Miriam learned that Moses abstained from relations with Zipporah, and she told this to Aaron (Tanhuma, Zav 13). In the Torah, Zipporah was one of the seven daughters of Jethro, a Kenite shepherd who was a priest of Midian. Who Was Zipporah in the Bible - Moses' Wife Story - Crosswalk.com Because of the lack of context surrounding her actions, it can be easy to ignore the lessons her life provides, but there is quite a bit to be gleaned. What Is The True Sabbath Day? "Zipporah: Bible." The Rabbis suggest that Miriam and Aaron talked about Moses having withdrawn from his wife. When Jethro invited Moses into his house, the latter entered the garden and saw the staff. After the exodus, her father, the priest of Midian (here called Jethro), comes to visit Moses, bringing Zipporah and her two sons. After being taken in by the family of the Pharaoh, Moses grew up among the upper class in the culture, but he did become aware of his Hebrew lineage. Here where we see in the Book of Jasher the same history documented in the Josephus histories. After Zipporah performed the circumcision, she took the foreskin and touched his legs (v. 25). When he was with Jethro, he saw how fine were her actions. Zipporahis a Midianite woman who becomes the wife of Moses. Answer: Some think Moses married a woman of a different race than he was. Article Zipporah may be one of the most intriguing figures in the early books of the Bible. Since modesty is appropriate for the relations between a man and his wife, how did Miriam learn of Mosess abstinence? Zipporah was left all but divorced. Cush being another name for Ethiopia. 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. Jewish Women's Archive. Zipporah first appeared in the Book of Exodus after Moses fled Egypt. Cambridge, MA: 1992. 5:2627): Go, say to them, Return to your tents. But you remain here with MeIsrael shall return to their wives, but you shall not return to marital relations (Tanhuma, Zav 13). 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. Who Was Zipporah and What Can We Learn from Her Life. How can we know which is correct? Thank you for an extremely interesting read. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. First lets see whether Moses was married to Zipporah. Moses fled to Midian, which is in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Yael Wife of Heber The Kenite: Midrash and Aggadah, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. The misconception is that Zipporah was Ethiopian and she was not, she was Shemitic. An opposing view, however, argues that a woman is not deemed to be as if already circumcised; this commandment is not relevant for the woman, and since she herself is not circumcised, she may not circumcise others. And not for a few months as Moses may have assumed. Expository Episode 91: Israel at 75: Voices of Protest. Propp, William. 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. She became the mother of Gershom and Eliezer, Moses' children. So here we see that Moses reigned over the people of Cush. Who Was Zipporah and What Can We Learn from Her Life? - Bible Study Tools 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. 11). He planted the staff in the garden of his house, and no man could approach it. Its worth reading and very insightful. Below you will see one of the sons Abraham had with his late wife Keturah. Pharaohs daughter, who raised him, was aware of his heritage when she found him the basket, but raised him anyway. Rabbah 1:32). Rabbah 2:33; Mann, Fragments from the Geniza, fragment 12, p. 95). 15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. 1 Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. 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. If youre equating marriage to sex that is not a biblical understanding. Your question refers to Numbers 12:1 that states his mate was a Cushite, a term often used to refer to African nations. Below is an excerpt from the Josephus works. 4.1K views, 50 likes, 28 loves, 154 comments, 48 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from 7th District AME Church: Thursday Morning Opening Session The predicate of this verse is unclear. I have an better understanding also who Josephus the historian is and also the book of Jasher. [23], Zipporah is often included in Exodus-related drama. There are several interesting passages about interactions between Zipporah, her husband, and her in-laws. In a third tradition, the initiative to marry Zipporah came from Moses himself. That being said I did not say Moses had sex with his Ethiopian wife in this article, they were just married. [4] Hobab is also the name of Jethro's son in Numbers 10:29 . Ask him in to break bread (Ex. 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. Moses goes out to greet Jethro and takes him into his tent, but nothing is said about his greeting Zipporah. How Many Wives Did Moses Have? - Understanding the Bible When we read the bible we see mention of the book of Jasher quoted above, which gives credence to its authority (Joshua 10:13, 2 Samuel 1:18). Because of this pledge, Moses had to return to Midian after he had been sent to Egypt, as it is said (Ex. 4 And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abidah, and Eldaah. The common assumption made is that Zipporah was Ethiopian, some even say that there is some type of biblical error. [13]:248,253254, In the Druze religion, Zipporah's father Jethro is revered as the spiritual founder, chief prophet, and ancestor of all Druze. Answer: Some think Moses married a woman of a different race than he was. Unlike other women in the Old Testament, such as Sarah and Rebekah,it is difficult for us as readers centuries later to fully understand her motivations. Spare The Rod Spoil The Child: Biblical Discipline Explained, Brief Explanation Of Tharbis & Moses Marriage, 19 Old Testament Passages That Foreshadow Jesus, Prophet Like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18): 11 Likenesses To the Messiah (Jesus), Slavery Bible Verses: Transatlantic Slave Trade Explained, phenomenal woman in the bible: Examples & how to be & Find one, A Quran And Bible Comparison: Why Theyre Not The Same, Canonization Of The Bible: And What We Should Be Reading, Was The Maccabean Revolt successful? Sorry to here about the break up. but I was confused in regards to you saying that Adoniah and Moses consummated the marriage?? Reuel was so grateful, he decided to receive Moses as a guest in his house and offered up his daughter Zipporah to Moses to marry. of Moses' wife. She may be Zipporah, the known wife of Moses (Exod 2:21, 18:2), or another woman. So just as Abraham's marriage could not be condemned by legal standards established centuries later, and just as you were not in 2003 required to pay taxes according to the reforms of .

North Mason High School Basketball, Where To Donate Japanese Dolls, Inclave Login Casinos, Cake Disposable Vape Not Charging, Which Statement Is Punctuated Correctly, Articles H