Are you fascinated with Zipporah in the Bible? You know, the wife of Moses? The truth is that I have been yearning to learn more about this remarkable woman since I became a Christian years and years ago! I’ve researched time and time again the term “Zipporah in the Bible” – but found little. The challenge is that there isn’t much information about Zipporah in the Bible. With Women’s History Month approaching, I’ve decided to dedicate some time to exploring the life of this woman with whom I deeply resonate. Married to a man of great purpose, she likely understood the sacrifices I make as a pastor’s wife.
Another parallel with Zipporah is with a woman who marries a man with a normal job, but then he accepts a call to ministry! I know people who have lived (and are living) that right now!
Note: I’m intentionally eliminating the word “the” from my title, “Zipporah in Bible.” The reason has more to do with algorithms than grammar. :)
Hey, if you saw The Ten Commandments movie, in which Charlton Heston portrayed Moses, you may remember Zipporah, portrayed by Yvonne De Carlo.
The real Zipporah in the Bible did not look like her. More about that later.
The Ten Commandments movie starring Charlton Heston was not biblically accurate.
In fact, while the film is a classic and has been cherished for its grandiose storytelling and impressive visual effects, it takes several creative liberties with the original biblical narrative.
I’ll bet countless people have viewed that and thought they were learning about the Bible. While Zipporah in the Bible was real, several others were not!
The screenplay compresses events, alters character motivations, and introduces dramatic embellishments that diverge from the text found in the scriptures.
These modifications can lead to misconceptions about the true accounts of Moses and the Exodus.
Yule Brenner was not in the Bible, nor was his feud with Moses.
I kind of hate that because the Hollywood film surely affected some viewers’ understanding of the historical and theological significance of God’s Word.
You know it had to have!
The portrayal of certain characters and their relationships do not truly reflect the complexities highlighted in the Bible. This surely left folks with a version of events that differs significantly from the Bible.
Who was Zipporah Anyway?
According to Ancestry.com, the name Zipporah means Bird.
Zipporah was Moses’ wife and Jethro’s (also named Ruel) daughter (you might know him as Reuel), a priest from Midian (Exodus 2:16-22).
She plays an important yet mysterious role in the Bible, mostly appearing in the books of Exodus and Numbers.
Moses is so famous he doesn’t even need an introduction—I’d just say “Moses,” and you’d probably shout, “Yeah, the guy with the tablets and the epic sea parting thing!“
But I’ll give you a short intro anyway.
In the Bible, Moses was a significant prophet and leader who played a crucial role in the story of the Israelites.
He is best known for BOLDLY leading the massive Exodus – just like the name of the book of the Bible – get it? “Exodus?”
Nonetheless, that is where he guided his people out of slavery in Egypt.
Moses was used so mightily by God that it made him fascinating himself!
Because I was interested in him, I was naturally curious about his wife, Zipporah.
Anyway, you likely know Moses performed so many miraculous acts, such as parting the Red Sea to facilitate the children of Israel’s escape.
A man with an intimacy with God
Throughout his life, He communicated with God and stayed so close to Him.
God himself mentioned His close relationship with Moses as He chided Miriam and Aaron for criticizing Moses for marrying his wife.
Look at what God said to them in Numbers 12: 8:
With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the Lord.
Yes, Moses was loved by God and fellowshipped closely with Him.
Besides that, Moses also received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, which laid a moral foundation for the Israelites.
No doubt Moses was God’s “dude” and had an enormous call on His life.
That is who Zipporah in the the Bible was married to.
Where Did Zipporah Grow Up?
Zipporah was from Midian. You can see a map of it here.
Some sources say it was located in the northwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula, near modern-day Saudi Arabia and Jordan, an area rich in historical significance and cultural heritage.
This region has different landscapes, such as large deserts and tough mountains.
It has been a crossroads for ancient trade routes and migratory paths. The proximity to significant landmarks and resources likely contributed to its importance in early civilizations, attracting nomadic tribes and settled communities alike.
As archaeological discoveries continue to emerge, our understanding of this fascinating locale only deepens, revealing the intricate tapestry of human activity that has unfolded over millennia.
Did you know the Midianites were traveling people? They were nomads. They moved around.
This doesn’t mean Zipporah (in the Bible) was born there.
In fact, she was a Cushite.
The Cushites were from Ethiopia, a nation renowned for its rich cultural history and diverse landscapes, including vast highlands and fertile lowlands.
This ancient group of people is often associated with the Kingdom of Kush. They played a significant role in regional trade and politics.
Furhter, they established connections with neighboring civilizations and influenced the course of history in northeastern Africa.
Their legacy can still be observed in the archaeological finds and historical accounts that highlight their contributions to art, architecture, and governance.
Learn more by checking out Encyclopedia.com: https://biblemapper.com/blog/index.php/2022/05/09/the-land-of-midian/
Where did Zipporah’s people come from?
From my humble research, I found the Midianites were descendants of Midian (duh), a son of Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2).
Zipporah lived in Midian with her father and sisters. Sorry, I couldn’t find any information on her mother.
At any rate, her father, Jethro, was a Midianite priest and likely a respected leader among their people.
A Midianite priest like Jethro held a significant religious and social role within the Midianite community.
As a priest, Jethro would have been responsible for leading religious rituals, offering sacrifices, and serving as a mediator between the people and their deities.
Additionally, priests often played advisory roles, providing guidance on spiritual, ethical, and legal matters.
Jethro, in particular, demonstrated wisdom and leadership beyond religious duties, as seen when he advised Moses to establish a judicial system to ease his burden of leadership (Exodus 18:13-27).
Here is what happened.
When Jethro visited Moses in the wilderness, he observed Moses singlehandedly managing all the disputes of the Israelites from morning until evening (Exodus 18:13-14).
I think he was concerned about Moses’ well-being and the efficiency of the system. So he helped.
Jethro advised Moses to delegate authority by appointing capable, God-fearing men to act as judges over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
This advice reflected his wisdom and leadership acumen.
This I do not know for usre, but maybe he had staff working with him as a preist. He shared his wisdom from experience.
This advice of delegation and structured governance was for the good of God’s people. (Exodus 18:17-23).
Jethro’s guidance demonstrates he was a man ofpractical wisdom and insight into community organization.
Pretty cool, right?
How did Zipporah in the Bible Meet Moses?
In Exodus chapter 2, beginning in verse 16, we see how the two (Zipporah in the Bible and Moses) met.
Read below to see it all unfold:
16 Now, a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and began to draw water and fill the troughs in order to water their father’s flock.
17 When some shepherds came and drove them away, Moses came up and defended them and then watered their flock.
18 So when they came home to their father Reuel, he asked, “Why have you come home so early today?”
19 They said, “An Egyptian man rescued us from the shepherds, and he actually drew water for us and watered the flock!”
20 He said to his daughters, “So where is he? Why in the world did you leave the man? Call him, so that he may eat a meal with us.”
That’s how Zipporah in the Bible met Moses.
She was going to get water, and some bullish shepherds tried to prevent her and her sisters from doing so —then Moses sprung to the rescue!
About Her Family and Her Role as Moses’ Wife
Zipporah in the Bible bore Moses two sons, Gershom and Eliezer (Exodus 2:22, Exodus 18:3-4).
Moses named each of the boys according to his journey in the Lord. I love that about the Bible, don’t you???
Names are so important.
As Moses’ wife, Zipporah played a huge role in his life, but her experiences were likely difficult.
Think about it!
She married a man who had a divine calling but lived as an exile from his own people. I also wonder if any residue from his childhood appeared in their marriage.
Lord knows it does in everyone else’s.
Poor Zipporah left behind her home in Midian to accompany Moses on his journey back to Egypt. She had no clue what type of danger awaited her.
I wonder how she felt.
Zipporah’s Mysterious (AND WILD) Circumcision Incident
This part of her story never made much sense to me.
I’m not the only one. Theologians don’t really seem to agree what it means either.
The best I can tell is she was looking out for her husband, Moses.
One of the most perplexing moments involving Zipporah happens in Exodus 4:24-26.
Here is the story in NIV:
24 At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him. 25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it.“Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. 26 So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.)
Say what? What happened?
Okay, see, while Moses was on his way back to Egypt, the Lord sought to kill him.
Yes, you read it right.
The reason is 100% unclear, but it seems that Moses had neglected to circumcise his son, which was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 17:10-14).
God does not play when it comes to His laws!
Just as Moses jumped to action with the shepherd, so did Zipporah in the Bible!
She took swift action, circumcising their son herself and throwing the foreskin at Moses’ feed, saying, (likely yelling!) “Surely you are a husband of blood to me” (Exodus 4:25).
Whatever it meant, her actions seemingly appeased God, and He spared Moses’ life.
A good wife covers her husband, even if she has to tell him the harsh truth sometimes.
Her phrase “husband of blood” may indicate a little frustration, confusion, or respect for the seriousness of God’s command.
Zipporah’s Return to Midian
At some point, Zipporah in the Bible and her sons returned to her homeland.
I think it was because of the dangers Moses faced in Egypt.
Exodus 18:2-5 says this:
2 After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her
3 and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”;
4 and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, “My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.”
5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God.
I cannot determine what is going on for sure. Remember, I am not a theologian. :)
But Zipporah and the boys’ safety was either her father’s concern or Moses’ concern.
Zipporah’s Challenges and Potential Feelings
Even though the Bible doesn’t really go into Zipporah’s feelings, we can sort of guess what she might have been going through:
- Adapting to Moses’ Calling: She married a man who was comfortable living as a shepherd, only to see him take on a monumental leadership role.
- Leaving Her Homeland: As Moses followed God’s command, Zipporah had to leave Midian and her family behind. So sad.
- Witnessing God’s Power: Seeing the plagues, miracles, and God’s presence in Moses’ life must have been both awe-inspiring and overwhelming at the same time!
- Interpersonal Challenges: Numbers 12:1 suggests that Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses for marrying a Cushite woman, which some interpret as referring to Zipporah. If true, she may have faced racial disapproval from Moses’ family.
The Legacy of Zipporah in the Bible
Zipporah’s story reminds me of the sacrifices made by those who stand beside great leaders.
Many women admire men with great commissions on their lives but don’t consider the sacrifice and loneliness that often accompany those “calls.”
Zipporah did.
Though she is not mentioned often, I think her role was significant, don’t you?
After all, she saved Moses’ life through obedience, raised his children, and supported him on his divine mission.
In my podcast, I said that because of her, Moses’ name could go on through children, and he could know what it felt like to be a dad.
What do you think?
Anyway, Zipporah’s legacy is one of strength because she likely dealt with everything from racism to tremendous loneliness.
Wisdom because she knew when to step in and step up.
Her life shows that even those in the background can have a profound impact in God’s plan.
Journaling Prompts – Reflecting on Zipport in the Bible
You can journal using these prompts or post your answer as a comment.
Here they are:
- What does Zipporah’s life teach us about trusting God in unfamiliar circumstances?
- What lessons can be learned from Zipporah’s marriage to Moses? How does it challenge or inspire you?
- Zipporah acted quickly to circumcise her son when Moses had failed to do so (Exodus 4:24-26). How do you respond in moments when urgent spiritual action is needed?
- Have you ever felt the need to take a bold step in faith to protect or uphold God’s commands? How did you respond? What do you wish you had done differently?
- What does Zipporah’s story teach us about the role of women in God’s plan?
- Where do you see yourself in Zipporah’s story? What part of her journey resonates with you the most?
Grab your Christian Journaling Guide Today!
Happy Women’s History Month! Did you like this snapshot of Zipporah?
Thank you so much!!! It was SOOOO much fun learning about her. I wonder who I should start reseraching next? Maybe Phoebe? Priscilla? Anyhoo, thanks for stopping by and talking to me, Marietta! :)
Loved this!