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Zipporah is a figure in the Bible whose story is intertwined with that of the great leader Moses, one of the most significant figures in the history of Israel. While Zipporah’s name does not appear frequently in the Bible, her role in the biblical narrative is notable and vital to understanding certain key events in Moses’ life and mission. This article will explore who she is, her background, her marriage to Moses, and her role in the larger biblical story, based on the Bible.
The Background of Zipporah
Origins and Family
Zipporah is first introduced in the book of Exodus. She was the daughter of Jethro, also known as Reuel, a priest of Midian (Exodus 2:16). The Midianites were a people who lived to the east of Israel, near the Arabian Peninsula, and were descendants of Abraham and his second wife, Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2). Jethro was not an Israelite, but he was a priest, which implies that he held a position of authority or leadership in his community.
The name “Zipporah” itself is thought to mean “bird” in Hebrew, which may symbolize lightness or freedom, but her character and actions would give this name deeper spiritual meaning as she played a key role in her family’s life and the destiny of the Israelites.
Encounter with Moses
Zipporah’s first appearance in the Bible comes in Exodus 2:15-22. After Moses had fled Egypt in fear of Pharaoh, who sought to kill him for killing an Egyptian taskmaster, Moses took refuge in the land of Midian. There, he came upon a well where the daughters of Jethro went to water their flocks. When some shepherds attempted to drive them away, Moses intervened and helped the women, allowing them to water their sheep.
Impressed by Moses’ kindness and bravery, the daughters returned to their father, and Jethro invited Moses to their home. In due course, Moses was given Zipporah as a wife. The narrative in Exodus 2:21 (NKJV) states:
“Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses as a wife.”
Thus, Zipporah became Moses’ wife, and she bore him a son, Gershom, whose name means “I have been a stranger in a foreign land” (Exodus 2:22). This name reflects Moses’ status as a foreigner in Midian, having fled Egypt, where he had grown up as an adopted member of Pharaoh’s household.
Role in Moses’ Mission
Early Life with Moses
Zipporah’s role as Moses’ wife was critical during his time in Midian. After Moses fled Egypt, he lived in Midian for approximately 40 years (Acts 7:30), and during this period, Zipporah and her father Jethro became a source of support for Moses. It was in Midian that Moses encountered the burning bush, where God called him to return to Egypt and deliver the Israelites from slavery (Exodus 3-4). While the Bible does not provide extensive details about her life during these years, we know that she was living with Moses and caring for their family during this critical time.
Role in the Exodus Narrative
The most significant moment in Zipporah’s life comes in Exodus 4:24-26, when God sought to kill Moses. This incident is puzzling and mysterious, as the text does not immediately explain why God would want to kill Moses, who was being called to lead the Israelites. However, the event seems to be tied to Moses’ failure to circumcise his son, Gershom. According to the covenant of Abraham in Genesis 17:9-14, all Israelite males were to be circumcised as a sign of the covenant with God.
Exodus 4:24-26 (NKJV):
“And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the Lord met him and sought to kill him.
Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses’ feet, and said, ‘Surely you are a husband of blood to me!’ So He let him go. Then she said, ‘You are a husband of blood!’ because of the circumcision.”
This passage is one of the most enigmatic in the Bible. The text does not explain why God sought to kill Moses, but it is clear that Moses had neglected to circumcise his son, thereby violating the covenant command. Zipporah, realizing the urgency of the situation, acted quickly and circumcised Gershom herself, thereby averting disaster.
This act of Zipporah is significant for several reasons:
- Zipporah’s Quick Action: Her decision to act decisively in this moment shows her resourcefulness and willingness to take matters into her own hands to protect her family and fulfill the demands of the covenant.
- Zipporah’s Role in Spiritual Leadership: The event underscores the importance of obedience to God’s covenant and suggests that she played a key role in ensuring Moses’ success in his mission. Although Moses had failed to circumcise his son, Zipporah’s intervention resolved the issue, allowing Moses to continue his divine mission.
- Symbolic Meaning: Zipporah’s action also has symbolic significance. As Moses was called to lead the people of Israel, his family had to be in alignment with God’s covenant. Zipporah’s circumcision of her son symbolized the need for personal and familial commitment to God’s covenant, which was essential for the success of the deliverance mission.
Return to Midian
After the incident where God sought to kill Moses, Zipporah is not mentioned much in the subsequent chapters of Exodus, especially during the actual Exodus event. In Exodus 18, Jethro, Zipporah’s father, hears of Moses’ deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt and decides to visit him in the wilderness. It appears that Zipporah and their sons had temporarily returned to Midian while Moses continued his mission, which included leading the Israelites through the wilderness toward Mount Sinai.
Exodus 18:2-3 (NKJV) records:
“Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, with her two sons…”
While Zipporah is not mentioned directly in this passage, it is clear that she returned to Moses and rejoined him and the people of Israel. The reunion between Moses, Zipporah, and their children occurred after the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea and were beginning their journey through the desert.
Relationship with Moses’ Leadership
Throughout the remainder of the biblical narrative, Zipporah plays a relatively quiet role. She is not mentioned in the key events surrounding the Exodus or the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, but her brief appearances and her actions point to a supportive and pivotal role in Moses’ mission. Zipporah’s role as a wife and mother highlights the importance of family, obedience to God’s laws, and the necessity of leadership in the home as a precursor to the larger leadership that Moses would exercise over the nation of Israel.
Legacy and Influence
Zipporah’s role in the biblical story, though somewhat peripheral, is still significant. She helped Moses fulfill his mission by ensuring that he followed God’s commands, even when Moses himself neglected an important part of the covenant. Her story shows us several important principles:
A. The Importance of Obedience to God’s Covenants
Zipporah’s quick action in circumcising her son emphasizes the importance of keeping God’s commandments, even when it is inconvenient or difficult. Her willingness to act decisively in a moment of crisis underscores the need for faithful obedience, even when the responsibilities seem heavy or unclear.
B. The Role of Women in God’s Plan
Zipporah’s actions highlight the significant role that women can play in God’s larger purposes. Though not a prominent leader like Moses, Zipporah’s actions ensured the spiritual and physical survival of her family and were crucial for Moses’ leadership. She shows that women, though often in the background, can have a profound impact on God’s plan for His people.
C. Family and Faithfulness in Leadership
Zipporah’s story illustrates that strong family relationships and faithful adherence to God’s covenants are foundational for effective leadership. Moses could not have fulfilled his mission without Zipporah’s role in supporting him both practically and spiritually.
Conclusion
Zipporah’s story is a quiet but powerful one in the Bible. As Moses’ wife, she played a crucial role in his spiritual journey, especially when she took action to ensure that Moses obeyed the command of circumcision, a pivotal aspect of the covenant between God and Israel. Her actions prevented disaster and allowed Moses to fulfill his divine calling. Though she is not frequently mentioned, Zipporah’s importance in the Exodus story is undeniable, and her legacy as a woman of action and faith provides valuable lessons for believers today about the power of obedience, the importance of family, and the often-overlooked roles women can play in God’s purposes.