Your email address will not be published. When the daughters of Reuel, a Midianite priest, were being harassed, Moses helped them. Mosess hope that his family would be present at the Giving of the Torah would nonetheless be realized, because the Torah tells of their reunion in Ex. In Hebrew, her name means "bird" or "little bird.". The Bloody Bridegroom: The Interpretation of Exodus 4:2426. 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. Most people know that Moses had a staff which he carried when he performed the eleven miracles against Pharaoh in Egypt. This passage reveals that sometime after the exit from Egypt, Zipporah gave birth to another son named Eliezer, and was either sent back, or returned to Midian to be with her father. Moses - Years and deeds | Britannica Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. Rabbah 1:32). The Bible and Its Story, Taught By One Thousand Picture Lessons, Moses and his Ethiopian wife Zipporah (Mozes en zijn Ethiopische vrouw Sippora), relationship between Israeli Jews and Druze, "Judges 4 / Hebrew English Bible / Mechon-Mamre". She then touched Moses saying, "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!" It is also noted that Zipporah is often rejected by her husband, who is always waiting to hear new words from God. Nor had I heard of the book of Jasher. Eventually they will walk their own path. of She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. We first meet Zipporahwho later became Moses's wifeat a well in her hometown of Midian. 15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. The Rabbis also find an allusion to Zipporahs beauty in her name, which means gaze and see [zafu ve-rau] how comely she is (Sifrei on Numbers chap. Zipporah, in contrast, was a Cushite in her poverty and a Cushite with regal status. Zipporah was one of them. He asks him: Moses, where were you all these years? To which Moses answers: In Midian. Aaron further asks him: Who are these children and women with you? Moses replies: My wife and my sons. Aaron continued to question him: And where are you taking them? The answer: To Egypt. Aaron then tells him: We are grieving for the first ones [the Israelites who are enslaved in Egypt], and now shall we grieve for these, as well? Moses accordingly orders Zipporah: Go to your fathers house. Zipporah then departs for her fathers home, taking her two sons (Mehilta de-Rabbi Ishmael, Masekhta de-Amalek, Yitro 1). Yael Wife of Heber The Kenite: Midrash and Aggadah, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. Countertraditions Ask him in to break bread (Ex. 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). Much of the tension in their marriage is documented only after Moses began to step into his role as the liberator of the Hebrews. Zipporah, or Tzipora (/zpr, zpr/; Hebrew: , ippr, "bird"),[a] is mentioned in the Book of Exodus as the wife of Moses, and the daughter of Reuel/Jethro, the priest and prince of Midian.[2]. Countertraditions We all become responsible for our own walk with Yah when we become adults (Philippians 2:12). 2:21), understanding the word va-yoel as a customary wording of a vow. Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. 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). Moses and his Ethiopian wife Zipporah - Wikipedia She takes a flint and cuts off her sons foreskin. 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. One day while he sat by a well, Reuel's daughters came to water their father's flocks. Parents share responsibility for raising their children: The incident at the inn where Zipporah circumcised their son is difficult to understand, especially in a modern context. Like me, they never knew about Adoniah (Tharbis). Getting Closer to God Lessons from the Life of Moses. Zipporah quickly circumcised her son with a sharp stone and touched Moses' feet with the foreskin, saying "Surely you are a husband of blood to me!" Zipporah the Midianite was a descendant of Midian, Abraham's son by his third wife Keturah. All in all, we can't say. Moses Wife: Zipporah Or Tharbis (Adoniah)? - wearehebrew.com However, the stories of some of the women of the Bible continue to resonate, despite only minor appearances. After Moses succeeded in taking the Israelites out of Egypt, and won a battle against Amalek, Reuel came to the Hebrew camp in the wilderness of Sinai, bringing with him Zipporah and their two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. The Rabbis explain that Moses never wanted to part from Zipporah and sent her to her fathers house in Midian only for fear that the Egyptian servitude would harm her. Moses and Zipporah would have been married for over 40 years by this time, and it is unlikely that Moses' siblings would just then be protesting. Rabbah 5:5). The next documented moment in Zipporahs life came after the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt. The midrash discloses that the existence of normal marital relations is important for a woman, and constitutes a significant part of her femininity and her self-perception. The common assumption made is that Zipporah was Ethiopian, some even say that there is some type of biblical error. Hi I had been reading the book of yasher over Passover and Ive been finding it very interesting! How can we know which is correct? Throughout the Pentateuch, Moses's wife is identified as Zipporah, a Midianite woman and the daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian (Exodus 2:21; 3:1). Features thousands of biographic and thematic essays on Jewish women around the world. There are several interesting passages about interactions between Zipporah, her husband, and her in-laws. [23], Zipporah is often included in Exodus-related drama. "Why did you leave the man? The Patriachs who had multiple wives never sought these wives out, except for Solomon and the results were negative in his case. Zipporah May be Obscure, but the Wife of Moses Mattered - US News He knew God wanted his son circumcised, and Zipporah felt forced to take action. Additionally, the midrash portrays female solidarity between Zipporah and Miriam, with the latter lending an attentive ear and even trying to help her fellow woman. Based on the Bible, there is no prohibition against what people define as different "races" from being married. The Rabbis resolve this by identifying the Cushite woman with Zipporah. Zipporah noticed her husband was at risk and swiftly used a stone to cut their son's foreskin. Testamentum 43 (1993): 495518. In thanks, Jethro--known as the Priest of Midian--invited him to stay in his camp, and gave him Zipporah to marry. Does the Bible Condemn Using Tarot Cards? He originally had a wife named Zipporah who was the daughter of a Midianite priest (Exodus 2:15 - 21). God did not agree, punishing Miriam with leprosy to make an example of their bigotry and pride. Exodus 3:1 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. A beautiful woman, she had received a special blessing that her comeliness would last her into old age. According toU.S. News and World Report, removing the foreskin was mandatory among Hebrews, as God had told Abraham. Thank you! Hopefully this article has helped clear up the questions you may have had about Moses wives. Num. The Torah does not specify when Zipporah left Moses, nor the reason for this parting. Moses defended the girls and watered their flocks. A type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules). He went to Jethro and asked: "Give me your daughter Zipporah in marriage." Jethro replied: "Do you want to do to me what your ancestor Jacob did? [12][bettersourceneeded], "Cushite woman" becomes in the Greek Septuagint and Aethiopissa in the Latin Vulgate Bible version (4th century). Jacob was alone and wrestled with the angel all night; Moses is with his wife, who comes to his rescue. Numbers 12:1 is the only passage in the Old Testament where Moses' wife is identified as a "Cushite.". Patterson, Dorothy. This Talmudic source (albeit with opposing views) highlights Zipporahs uniqueness, as the only woman in the Bible said to have performed a circumcision. After the Giving of the Torah, God instructed Moses (Deut. The misconception is that Zipporah was Ethiopian and she was not, she was Shemitic. Im a Christian and I find this very informative. 99). And Aaron said to Moses, Oh, my lord, do not punish us because we have d15one foolishly and have sinned. Let her not be as one dead, whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes out of his mother's womb. And Moses cried to the Lord, O God, please heal herplease. But the Lord said to Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be shamed seven days? She became the mother of Gershom and Eliezer, Moses' children. Moses fled to Midian, which is in modern-day Saudi Arabia. If we dont study then were only left with half the truth. The midrash admits that Moses abstained from intercourse with his wife from the time of the Giving of the Torah, but this was at Gods behest. "Zipporah: Bible." God then left Moses alone (Exodus 4:2426). what is biblical or not) were not Hebrews, they slaughtered the Hebrews. ", Reuel asked them. Moses therefore fled from Egypt, and arrived in Midian. 2021 23 Jul The wife of Moses is named Zipporah. God used her to be a mother, a partner, and preserved her memory in His Word. But no children are ever recorded for a second wife of Moses. Zipporah is the wife of Moses, given to him in marriage by her Midianite priest father. He fled from the scene of a crimehe had murdered an Egyptian for being cruel to an Israelite slave. Some people believe that the "Cushite woman" the text referred to whom Moses married was not a second wife, but Zipporah (via My Jewish Learning). 17K views, 519 likes, 455 loves, 3.7K comments, 232 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from EWTN: Starting at 8 a.m. but I was confused in regards to you saying that Adoniah and Moses consummated the marriage?? I am so excited to get this information. In a marriage, spouses should support one another and help navigate the relationship with their respective relations. Thank you so much for your, very much needed, information. So the question is, who is the Ethiopian woman that Aaron and Miriam had an issue with Moses about? He met her during his years away from Egypt ( Exodus 2:1 ). All rights reserved. Many of the patriarchs had multiple wives, and we dont know the details of their relationships. Features thousands of biographic and thematic essays on Jewish women around the world. 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 . It may refer to the African country of Cush (see Gen 10:6; 1 Chr 1:8) or to Midian, the region east of the Gulf of Aqabah from which Zipporah came (see Exod 3:1, 18:1; Hab 3:7). In each one, she seems to come into conflict with the culture of her husband, as well as being stuck between Moses the man, and Moses the prophet. Most. Cambridge, MA: 1992. The name Tharbis can not be found in the book of Exodus, but you can find it below in other scriptures. "the written Torah." These scriptures explain where the staff of Moses came from: 38 And afterward Moses went into the garden of Reuel which was behind the house, and he there prayed to the Lord his God, who had done mighty wonders for him. Did Moses Have Two Wives, Tharbis and Zipporah, or Just One? All the Women of the Bible. Are there other non-biblical Jewish texts that would cast greater light on the Old Testament (Torah)? Race of Moses' Wife - Bible Study Eventually Reuel the Midianite ended up with the stick after the death of Joseph. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous. It was then that she said, A bridegroom of blood, because of the circumcision. Gen. 17:13 states they must be circumcised [ha-yimol yimol, literally, he who is circumcised shall circumcise], from which the Rabbis deduced that only one who is circumcised may circumcise others. Then at the age of sixty-six he went to the land of Midian and married Zipporah the Midianite. Mercy and compassion were to be shown to aliens. This information sheds a clear light on the question, whether Moses was married to an Ethiopian? Your children are a gift from Yah (Psalms 127:3). How Many Wives Did Moses In The Bible Have - CHURCHGISTS.COM After Zipporah performed the circumcision, she took the foreskin and touched his legs (v. 25). That Bloody Bridegroom (Exodus 4:2426). Vetus He then planted it in the ground (Jasher 77:48) waiting for a man who was worthy to pluck it from the ground. The Rabbis interpret the vague wording of the verse in different ways. Your question refers to Numbers 12:1 that states his mate was a Cushite, a term often used to refer to African nations. in the Bible: A Feminist Approach. The details of the passage are unclear and subject to debate. 99). This criticism displeases God, who punishes Miriam with Tzaraath (often glossed as leprosy). Most probably, the . There is no information about how Zipporah felt about it, and she is still a mystery in many ways. 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? Such heroes were and are called "the righteous." The Rabbis explain that Moses sent Zipporah to her fathers house in Midian only out of fear that Egyptian servitude would harm her. There, Moses stood up for seven young women who were drawing water who were being driven away from the well by shepherds. Answer: Some think Moses married a woman of a different race than he was. Following their appointment, all Israel kindled lamps and engaged in celebrations, rejoicing at the elders having attained their exalted status. My prayers will go out to you. The Bible records, "She gave birth to a son, and . The Rabbis sought to elicit the nature of the parting between Moses and Zipporah from the wording after she had been sent home [shiluheha]. According to one opinion, Moses divorced her, with a writ of divorce, since shiluah also appears in Deut. Jewish Women's Archive. Moses first wife was Adoniah (Tharbis) and his second wife was Zipporah. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her. It therefore does not matter what was the ethnic heritage, lineage, etc. 1 Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. 4:24). So the answer to the question, whether or not Moses married an Ethiopian has been answered, and the answer is, Yes! Another exegetical tradition places Miriam next to Zipporah when Moses was told (Num. Invite him for supper to break bread." Zipporah: The Midianite Wife of Moses - Black History In The Bible 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. Cush being another name for Ethiopia. Catholic Daily Mass - Daily TV Mass - April 22, 2023 - Facebook At the time of Moses marriage to Zipporah he was no longer married to the Ethiopian Adoniah (Tharbis). This is the land that Moses dwelt in when he took refuge from Pharaoh. In the midrashic amplification, Zipporah set out for Egypt with Moses, but never arrived there. 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 Midianites themselves were later on depicted at times in non-Biblical sources as dark-skinned and called Kushim, a Hebrew word used for dark-skinned Africans. Zipporah was one of them. When the daughters of Reuel, a Midianite priest, were being harassed, Moses helped them. 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. As with other major Biblical figures, the venue of the first encounter between Moses and Zipporah, his future wife, was beside a well (Ex. Pardes, Ilana. Ibn Ezra on Exodus 18:2 : , : ( :). Zipporahs actions led to a Talmudic discussion of womens ability to perform circumcision. 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. Thank you! First lets see whether Moses was married to Zipporah. Zipporah was left all but divorced. Zipporah: Midrash and Aggadah | Jewish Women's Archive She is later reunited with Moses when her father . More proof of Moses marriage to the Ethiopian queen Tharbis known as Adoniah in the book of Jasher can be found below: 30 So Moses took the city by his wisdom, and the children of Cush placed him on the throne instead of Kikianus king of Cush. The Rabbis suggest that Miriam and Aaron talked about Moses having withdrawn from his wife. 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. Miriam and Aaron spoke about Moses because of the beautiful woman he had married, for he had separated from the beautiful woman he married. 4:2728). Now we know that Moses was married to Adoniah (Tharbis), by just simply understanding the history of Israel, we can say that Moses was married twice. Frymer-Kensky, Tikva. The answer is no: Moses never had more than four wives. God hates divorce, and wants strong marriages, and communication is part of that. Whose legs did she touch? 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. Some women are fit but not comely, while others are comely but not fit, while Zipporah was both beautiful and fit. He originally had a wife named Zipporah who was the daughter of a Midianite priest (Exodus 2:15 - 21). 45 And when Abraham had given all he had to his son Isaac, he also gave to him this stick. They had several rough patches in their marriage in part because of Moses devotion to his responsibilities. The expression "Cushite woman" is used disparagingly against Moses because he . The first sign of trouble came when Moses set off to Egypt after forty years of exile. 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). [14][15][16][17][18] Moses was allowed to wed Zipporah after helping save Jethro's daughters and their flock from competing herdsmen. This stick was passed down until it reached Abraham, then Jacob took it. In the Torah, Zipporah was one of the seven daughters of Jethro, a Kenite shepherd who was a priest of Midian. There is an understanding about Moses wife, which says that he was married to an Ethiopian lady. 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. 12:1 attests that Miriam and Aaron spoke against the Cushite woman whom Moses had married. The Midianites were not Ethiopians, they are actually from the lineage of Abraham who Moses is also a descendant of. Cushites were of the ancestry of either Kush (Nubia) in northeast Africa, or Arabians. 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. She is the mother of Moses' two sons: Eliezer, and Gershom. 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. Yael Wife of Heber The Kenite: Midrash and Aggadah, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. Exodus 18:2-5. 99). Like many other prominent biblical characters, Zipporah is depicted in several works of art. Many of us are familiar with Moses' wife, Zipporah. Zipporah was rejoined with Moses early on the Exodus (see Exodus 2:16-22; 18:2-6). Thank you for this! Moses' Kushite Wife Was Zipporah the Midianite - TheTorah.com I bless you for the information and now i have an greater understanding of the life of Moses and his wifes. Dont forget to share this with someone that needs it. Your question refers to Numbers 12:1 that states his mate was a Cushite, a term often used to refer to African nations. The second position is that Moses was negligent regarding his sons circumcision. After the battle, Tharbis the Ethiopian queen made an agreement to marry Moses and he accepted. "Where is he then? I also came across the fact that he had been married to an Ethiopian woman and it had me looking into the relationship between the Midians and the Ethiopians. 2 And all the children of Cush loved Moses all the days that he reigned over them, and all the inhabitants of the land of Cush were greatly afraid of him. The predicate of this verse is unclear. After researching this, I have found this statement was true, but not in the way that most people think. Upon their return home, their father asked them, "How is it that you have come home so early today?" 31 December 1999. In the midrashic presentation, Moses took them with him because he wanted them to be with the Israelites when they received the Torah (Ex. Detail of Jacob Jordaens' painting "Moses and his Ethiopian Wife Zipporah," c. 1650. The ribbons in her hat resemble a cross. In return for her good deed, God gave Moses permission to marry her (Exodus 18:13). His name is Midian, which made him the forefather of the Midianites. Aaron goes forth to greet his brother and hugs and kisses him. Touched by Greatness Women in the Life of Moses. Intercultural/interracial marriages can work and are Biblical: Zipporah and Moses came from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We are told that the Most High used what is now known as the supernatural staff of Moses to create the worlds (Jasher 77:42). In-laws have an impact in a relationship: Moses siblings did not like Zipporah and spoke badly about their brother because of it. 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). Zipporahs name, meaning bird, combined with her protection of Moses, is reminiscent of the fierce loyalty to her husband Osiris of the Egyptian goddess Isis, who is often portrayed as a bird of prey. Zipporahs uniqueness is the subject of yet another tradition. Moses' Cushite Wife | Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament Moses and the Kushite Woman: Classic Interpretations and Philo's The main plot of Zipporah's cryptic story, which contains a few large holes, is this: Moses, a fugitive from Egypt, where he killed a man for abusing a Hebrew slave, happens upon the seven. God's anger led [] Page from the Rylands Haggadah. Read the latest from JWA from your inbox. Moses first Marriage was to Adoniah as previously mentioned and his second marriage was to Reuel (Jethro) the Midianites daughter Zipporah. 21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. Now you know that Moses was in fact married to an Ethiopian, you can go and educate others. The Israelite Samaritan Version of the Torah: First English Translation Compared with the Masoretic Version. When Moses fled from Egypt to the land of Midian, he met Jethro's seven daughters, who were having some trouble getting enough water for their flocks ( Exodus 2 ). Other scriptures that state the sojourner, like the person born in the land, could be an active part of the sacrificial services (like the red heifer ceremony) are Numbers 15:14 - 16, 19:10 and Leviticus 17:8 - 9. They were also bring the commanded sacrificial offerings when they committed sins of ignorance. 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. divorced"). How Many Wives Did Moses Have? - Understanding the Bible 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. Women in Scripture. Pharaohs daughter, who raised him, was aware of his heritage when she found him the basket, but raised him anyway. Expository How did Zipporah know that Mosess life was threatened because of the circumcision? Rabbah [ed. Zipporah was the wife of Moses. When he was with Jethro, he saw how fine were her actions. Moses marries Zipporah [ edit] Yet on the journey, God tried to kill Moses. If the Rabbis identify the Cushite woman with Zipporah, and the word Cushite describes her positive qualities (her beauty and her deeds), what flaw did Miriam and Aaron find in her when they spoke against Moses (Num. 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.
Mesh Coil Vs Ceramic Coil, Wibw Past News Anchors, Is Amanda Weinstein Related To Harvey Weinstein, Articles H