Zipporah: A woman of faith and action
Discover the fascinating story of Zipporah, Moses's wife, and her significant role in biblical history. Explore her courage and connection to Abraham's lineage.
Who was Zipporah?
Zipporah was the wife of Moses and one of the most important women in the Book of Exodus. Her story is found predominantly in Exodus Chapters 2, 4, and 18. Zipporah was the daughter of Jethro, also called Reuel, a priest of Midian. Midian was a people descended from Midian, one of Abraham's sons through Keturah. This means Zipporah came from a family connected to Abraham's later descendants. When Moses fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian who was mistreating a Hebrew slave, he escaped to Midian. There he encountered Jethro's seven daughters while they were tending their father's flock.
The union of Moses and Zipporah
Moses helped them when some shepherds tried to drive them away. Jethro subsequently welcomed Moses into his household, and Moses eventually married Zipporah. Moses and Zipporah had two sons: Gershom and Eliezer. Zipporah is significant because she was not an Israelite. She was a Midianite woman who became the wife of Israel's greatest prophet and leader. She belonged to a family descended from Abraham through Keturah, making her a part of Abraham's extended family. This union highlights a profound connection, bridging different lineages within Abraham's descendants.
Zipporah's decisive action
One of the most mysterious episodes involving Zipporah occurs in Exodus 4:24-26. While Moses was returning to Egypt, something happened that threatened Moses's life. Zipporah circumcised their son and touched Moses with the child's circumcision. Afterward, the danger passed. The passage is brief and difficult to interpret, but it clearly portrays Zipporah taking decisive action that preserved Moses' life. This act underscores her courage and her vital role in pivotal moments.
"Her story reminds us that faith and courage know no boundaries, weaving diverse lives into God's divine plan."
Ingrid's Corner