Jewish Women's Archive. Boast Not Against The Branches: Olive Tree Bible Verse Explained. This criticism displeases God, who punishes Miriam with Tzaraath (often glossed as leprosy). Are there other non-biblical Jewish texts that would cast greater light on the Old Testament (Torah)? (Viewed on May 1, 2023) . Thank you so much. Salem Media Group. 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. This article helped to throw more light on issues and matters concerning one of the Biblical figures Moses. Miriam and Aaron spoke about Moses because of the beautiful woman he had married, for he had separated from the beautiful woman he married. Following their appointment, all Israel kindled lamps and engaged in celebrations, rejoicing at the elders having attained their exalted status. She saved his life in the night encampment when she made haste to circumcise her son. There are many mysteries surrounding the episode at the end of this week's parsha when Miriam and Aaron say something to Moses with regards to the "Cushite" woman whom he had married. Lieberman], Ki Teze 1, reads: milah [circumcision; i.e., stages within the circumcision] u- periah). [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. Shalom. Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/kieferpix. Wm. 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). According to the biblical narrative, Moses lived 120 years and was 80 when he confronted Pharaoh, but there is no indication how old he was when he went to see the Hebrews. The Rabbis suggest that Miriam and Aaron talked about Moses having withdrawn from his wife. I have an better understanding also who Josephus the historian is and also the book of Jasher. Pardes, Ilana. Features thousands of biographic and thematic essays on Jewish women around the world. Instead, she was a married single for the rest of her life. In the midrashic presentation, Moses took them with him because he wanted them to be with the Israelites when they received the Torah (Ex. Ex. 40 And he approached the stick and he looked, and behold the name of the Lord God of hosts was engraved thereon, written and developed upon the stick. These scriptures should clear up any misunderstandings you may have had about these different names. [23], Zipporah is often included in Exodus-related drama. 4:2426. Vetus The situation remains unclear to us. Their son did. Thanks for the expository (article). All I ever wanted was to protect and provide for them. 18: . Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2011. 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. According to one hermeneutical position, Zipporah touched Mosess legs and said to him: Take retribution for your debt. According to another interpretive approach, she touched the legs of the angel and said: This is the culmination of your mission. A third understanding has her touching the body of the child, and only then (v. 26) He let him alone (JT Nedarim 3:9, 38b). Behind him to his right stands his wife, a black womanpossibly Zipporah. Rabbah 2:33; Mann, Fragments from the Geniza, fragment 12, p. 95). They said: Moses is haughty. While the Israelites/Hebrews were captives in Egypt, Moses killed an Egyptian who was striking a Hebrew, for which offense Pharaoh sought to kill Moses. Zipporah first appeared in the Book of Exodus after Moses fled Egypt. When he was with Jethro, he saw how fine were her actions. Answer: Some think Moses married a woman of a different race than he was. Testamentum 43 (1993): 495518. 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. Zipporah: Midrash and Aggadah | Jewish Women's Archive Thank you for this! 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. [19] It has been expressed by prominent Druze such as Amal Nasser el-Din[20] and Salman Tarif, who was a prominent Druze shaykh, that this makes the Druze related to the Jews through marriage. As with other major Biblical figures, the venue of the first encounter between Moses and Zipporah, his future wife, was beside a well (Ex. This is powerful, No correction Abraham is a descendant of Moses, Glad you appreciate the story. 39). According to the Rabbis, Miriam intended to praise her brother, and she wanted to increase procreative activity, but nevertheless was punished, because of the severity of gossip (Sifrei on Numbers chap. [12][bettersourceneeded], "Cushite woman" becomes in the Greek Septuagint and Aethiopissa in the Latin Vulgate Bible version (4th century). 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. Now Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her home, along with her two sons. Zipporah: Reminding Us Who We Are - Faithward.org Losing mine has been so painful, but I know that pain will be swallowed up in Christ at some point, but for now I have to suffer it. Zipporah was a midianite who are a nation that were birthed by Abraham, which made Zipporah Shemitic. Exodus 4:21-26. 11) with the conversation between Miriam and Aaron (chap. It is also noted that Zipporah is often rejected by her husband, who is always waiting to hear new words from God. He then planted it in the ground (Jasher 77:48) waiting for a man who was worthy to pluck it from the ground. 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. Moses had killed an Egyptian by accident and fled to the Midianites since the Pharaoh sought to kill Moses. Who Was Zipporah in the Bible - Moses' Wife Story - Crosswalk.com Both possibilities appear in the midrashic expositions. Zipporah May be Obscure, but the Wife of Moses Mattered - US News The Rabbis explain that Moses sent Zipporah to her fathers house in Midian only out of fear that Egyptian servitude would harm her. Hopefully this article has helped clear up the questions you may have had about Moses wives. Zipporah: Bible | Jewish Women's Archive 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 . We all become responsible for our own walk with Yah when we become adults (Philippians 2:12). Other shepherds arrived and drove the girls away, so that they could water their own flocks first. Did Moses Have Two Wives, Tharbis and Zipporah, or Just One? The girls answered, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock." So the answer to the question, whether or not Moses married an Ethiopian has been answered, and the answer is, Yes! Dont forget to share this with someone that needs it. Aaron goes forth to greet his brother and hugs and kisses him. Exodus 12:1-3, Exodus 12:10-15. 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. Moses and the Kushite Woman: Classic Interpretations and Philo's Allegory, Jewish history, Jewish religion: the weight of three thousand years, "Moses and the Kushite Woman: Classic Interpretations and Philo's Allegory", "Jacob Jordaens and Moses's Ethiopian Wife", Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, "Proust's Aesthetic Analogies: Character and Painting in Swann's Way", The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, "Yvonne De Carlo, 84; Said Her "Munsters" Role Made Her Hot", Moses and the Kushite Woman: Classic Interpretations and Philos Allegory, Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy, With a strong hand and an outstretched arm, Current Ummah of Islam (Ummah of Muhammad), ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib ibn Hashim, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zipporah&oldid=1152724917, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from April 2014, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2019, Articles lacking reliable references from September 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Mother Abiona or Amtelai the daughter of Karnebo. 4:2728). Midrashic tradition assumed they were discussing Moses neglect of Zipporah. One son was named Gershom, for Moses had said, "I . There is an understanding about Moses wife, which says that he was married to an Ethiopian lady. Her words stopped the attack against Moses. Shalom. He did not withdraw from his wife because she aged or because she was no longer desirable in his eyes; rather, his abstinence resulted from a divine command. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. In the above scriptures the queen of Ethiopia took a liking to Moses because of his abilities during battle. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2013. Unlike the human tendency to want or expect perfection in religious heroes, historic Judaism simply asked that its heroes do more good than evil. The men that decided the cannon (i.e. 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. I cant tell you how much this helped me. After the Giving of the Torah, a life of sexual abstinence was imposed on Moses. In Numbers 12 why did Moses get away with intermarriage? A second tradition has Jethro deciding upon Zipporahs marriage to Moses after he brought Moses into his home and came to know his qualities. Have an update or correction? Below you will see one of the sons Abraham had with his late wife Keturah. Whose legs did she touch? In regards to the next life, there is no marrying (Matthew 22:30), we will be resurrected in incorruptible bodies (1 Corinthians 15:54). The Rabbis ascribe many traits to her; they considered her different than other women, in a positive sense, in both appearance and deed. 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). The purpose of Patriarchs having multiple wives was to produce babies, not because of lustful desires. Zipporah did not seem to always let Moses know what she needed. Then you shall say to Pharaoh, Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son,and I say to you, Let my son go that he may serve me. If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son. At a lodging place on the way the Lord met him and sought to put him to death. 12)? 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). Lets look at what the scriptures actually say by starting in the book of Exodus. 2:21), understanding the word va-yoel as a customary wording of a vow. She may be Zipporah, the known wife of Moses (Exod 2:21, 18:2), or another woman. 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. The last time the Bible mentions Zipporah is when she is at Mount Horeb with her family, according to Daily Journal. She heroically saved Moses from an attack by circumcising her son. Below is an excerpt from the Josephus works. Page from the Rylands Haggadah. Who was Zipporah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Zipporahs uniqueness is the subject of yet another tradition. Zipporahs actions led to a Talmudic discussion of womens ability to perform circumcision. How To Worship God: What Is Spirit And What Is Truth? Ask him in to break bread (Ex. The story is already difficult for the narrator, who adds a comment thathatan damimrefers to circumcision. While most people would feel grateful when a person saves their lives, Moses didn't seem to appreciate it. The name Tharbis can not be found in the book of Exodus, but you can find it below in other scriptures. A beautiful woman, she had received a special blessing that her comeliness would last her into old age. If we dont study then were only left with half the truth. Moses had married Zipporahone of the seven daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midianwhen he fled from Egypt after slaying an Egyptian taskmaster (see Exod. 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. Miriam: Bible | Jewish Women's Archive Thank you so much for your, very much needed, information. Frymer-Kensky, Tikva. 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. 17K views, 519 likes, 455 loves, 3.7K comments, 232 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from EWTN: Starting at 8 a.m. Lutzer, Erwin. Her mysterious life leaves us with more questions than answers, but it does not mean her life was not worth studying. After the Giving of the Torah, God instructed Moses (Deut. Heres a scripture that shows that Reuel (Jethro) Zipporahs father was a Midianite. Their parting took place on the way, following the encounter with Aaron. If youre equating marriage to sex that is not a biblical understanding. 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. 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 ). 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. It fills some gaps in the Bible narrative. Then at the age of sixty-six he went to the land of Midian and married Zipporah the Midianite. Yah will give us a new heart and blissful peace (1 Corinthians 2:9). Moses' Kushite Wife Was Zipporah the Midianite - TheTorah.com Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. This stick was passed down until it reached Abraham, then Jacob took it. The Meaning Of Maccabees, Is Purgatory A Dogma? How did Zipporah know that Mosess life was threatened because of the circumcision? After the Giving of the Torah she-bi-khetav: Lit. We do trust Josephus as a historical source, but we don't know if we can corroborate everything he says. 1 Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. [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"). Im pretty sure it was a source of inspiration for that popular story line. The stick was made of Sapphire (Jasher 77:39) and not the traditional wood normally expected. 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). In the Torah, Zipporah was one of the seven daughters of Jethro, a Kenite shepherd who was a priest of Midian. 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. He puts her in a group of what he calls "notable and sainted Ethiopians". Ashby, Godfrey. Based on the Bible, there is no prohibition against what people define as different "races" from being married. 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". Yet on the journey, God tried to kill Moses. Eventually Reuel the Midianite ended up with the stick after the death of Joseph. Zipporah is not well rewarded. Your question refers to Numbers 12:1 that states his mate was a Cushite, a term often used to refer to African nations. Moses then left the Ethiopians after forty years of ruler-ship (Jasher 76:5-12). 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. Both of these assertions are inaccurate. Robinson, Bernard P. Zipporah to the Rescue: A Contextual Study of Exodus 4:18): Moses went back to his father-in-law Jether [yeter], from which the Rabbis learn that Moses went to Egypt, but returned to Midian to be released from (le-hatir) his vow (Ex. [Hence, it is no longer dangerous to have him in our home.] Before the Giving of the Torah, God ordered Moses to sanctify the people, and he said to them (Ex. Hi I had been reading the book of yasher over Passover and Ive been finding it very interesting! It is unclear whether she remained with Moses or returned to Midian. There, Moses met a man named Jethro and received Jethro's daughter Zipporah in marriage. According toU.S. News and World Report, removing the foreskin was mandatory among Hebrews, as God had told Abraham. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Another tradition explains that the numerical value of Kushit is the same as the Hebrew yafet mareh (beautiful). Moses - Years and deeds | Britannica 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. I havent broken my covenant to her, and maybe God will still honor it in the next life, and maybe she will too when her mental illnesses are then gone. There is no information about how Zipporah felt about it, and she is still a mystery in many ways. 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. "Where is he then? In thanks, Jethro--known as the Priest of Midian--invited him to stay in his camp, and gave him Zipporah to marry. 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. 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. Zipporah is the wife of Moses, given to him in marriage by her Midianite priest father. Zipporah is the wife of Moses, given to him in marriage by her Midianite priest father. Yocheved was the daughter of Levi, Jacob 's son. 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? Intercultural/interracial marriages can work and are Biblical: Zipporah and Moses came from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. 2 After Moses had sent back his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had received her, 3 along with her two sons. In gratitude, Reuel (called Jethro or Hobab in other biblical passages) offers Moses hospitality, then gives him his daughter Zipporah in marriage(Exod 2:2122). 1 Now Moses' father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about all that God had done for Moses and His people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. That Bloody Bridegroom (Exodus 4:2426). Vetus And Aaron said to Moses, Oh, my lord, do not punish us because we have d15one foolishly and have sinned. However, while Moses was uneasy at the armys lying idle, (for the enemies durst not come to a battle,) this accident happened: Tharbis was the daughter of the king of the Ethiopians: she happened to see Moses as he led the army near the walls, and fought with great courage; and admiring the subtility of his undertakings, and believing him to be the author of the Egyptians success, when they had before despaired of recovering their liberty. 18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day? 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). I love the explanation it has answered my many questions. Although any alien or Gentile (a term used for anyone of a race different that Israel) that was not circumcised could not partake of the yearly Passover ceremony, they still were required by law to do several things. 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. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. Why Didn't Moses Enter the Promised Land. [4] Hobab is also the name of Jethro's son in Numbers 10:29 . If you are asking me to give you Zipporah, swear to me that you will not take her far away from me; I will give her to you only upon this condition. Moses immediately swore to him, as it is said: Moses consented [va-yoel] to stay with the man (Ex. In conversations we have daily on the Word of God and the life of great men like Moses my questions are answered know. Times 106 (1995): 203205. As you can see above Abrahams second wife Kenturah gave birth to children and one of them was the father of the Midianites. The Truth About Moses' Wife Zipporah - Grunge The text does not reveal that Zipporah was the Cushite woman spoken of in Numbers 12. The misconception is that Zipporah was Ethiopian and she was not, she was Shemitic. Like many other prominent biblical characters, Zipporah is depicted in several works of art. She then flings the foreskin at his feet, declaring that he ishatan damimto her(Exod 4:26). After killing an Egyptian, Moses runs away to Midian, where he marries Zipporah, the daughter of the local priest (Exod 2:15-22). The Untold Story of Zipporah, Wife of Moses - What Do You Think 99). Help us elevate the voices of Jewish women. While she is introduced early in Exodus, very little is said about her. The prevalent idea among the Rabbis is that a woman is qualified to perform circumcision; the fact that she herself does not require circumcision teaches that she is regarded as if she were already circumcised. 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. [21] This view has been used to represent an element of the special relationship between Israeli Jews and Druze.[22]. Some women are beautiful to others but not to their husband, and there are women who are beautiful to their husband but not to others; while Zipporah was lovely in the eyes of her husband and of everyone who beheld her (Midrash Tehillim 7:18). Moses was that man, when he took it out the ground Reuel saw him with it, and it was at that moment he knew Moses was special, so he gave him his daughter Zipporah. 31 December 1999. 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). Who knows, but it gives me hope to relate to Moses in this thing. 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? Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. The law you quote is in Deuteronomy, which was not yet in existence when Moses married the Cushite - it was spoken at the very end of Moses' life (Deut 4:44-5:1). 17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. In return for her good deed, God gave Moses permission to marry her (Exodus 18:13). When the daughters of Reuel, a Midianite priest, were being harassed, Moses helped them. Moses' Cushite Wife | Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament The latter tries to help, and is punished. Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. Moses fled to Midian, which is in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Answer Zipporah in the Bible was the wife of Moses and the daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Thank you for an extremely interesting read. On their way, at a night encampment, The Lord met him [Moses] and tried to kill him(Exod 4:24). On his journey he took Zipporah and his son Gershom, who was uncircumcised. Propp, William. 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). When Laban gave him his daughters, Jacob deceived him and fled far away.
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