Why did Moses’ wife circumcise her son?
For the Israelites, circumcision was a sign of their covenant with God and a mark of their identity as his chosen people. It was also seen as a symbol of purity and holiness, and it was required of all male Israelites as a sign of their commitment to God.
The story of Moses and his family is one of the most well-known and beloved narratives in the Bible. Moses, the great leader of the Israelites, was born to a Hebrew mother and raised by an Egyptian princess. When he fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian taskmaster, he settled in Midian and married a woman named Zipporah. But what many people may not realize is that there is a strange and puzzling episode in the story of Moses and Zipporah that raises important questions about the practice of circumcision and its significance in the biblical world.
The story in question is found in Exodus 4:24-26, which reads as follows:
"At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him. 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. So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said 'bridegroom of blood,' referring to circumcision.)"
This passage has long puzzled biblical scholars and commentators, who have debated its meaning and significance for centuries. In this blog post, we will explore some of the possible interpretations of this strange episode and try to shed some light on its meaning.
The significance of circumcision in the biblical world
To understand the story of Zipporah and her son, we first need to understand the significance of circumcision in the biblical world. Circumcision was a common practice in the ancient Near East, and it was often associated with initiation into a religious or social group. For the Israelites, circumcision was a sign of their covenant with God and a mark of their identity as his chosen people. It was also seen as a symbol of purity and holiness, and it was required of all male Israelites as a sign of their commitment to God.
The possible interpretations of Zipporah's actions
Given the significance of circumcision in the biblical world, it is not surprising that Zipporah's actions in Exodus 4:24-26 have generated so much discussion and debate among scholars and commentators. Here are some of the possible interpretations of the story:
1) Zipporah circumcised her son to save Moses' life
One possible interpretation of the story is that Zipporah circumcised her son as a way of saving Moses' life. According to this view, God was angry with Moses for failing to circumcise his son, and he was about to kill him as a result. Zipporah, realizing that circumcision was necessary to appease God, quickly circumcised her son and touched Moses' feet with the foreskin as a way of showing her submission to God's will. This act of obedience and faithfulness saved Moses' life and allowed him to continue his mission as the leader of the Israelites.
2) Zipporah circumcised her son as a way of fulfilling God's covenant
Another possible interpretation of the story is that Zipporah circumcised her son as a way of fulfilling God's covenant with the Israelites. According to this view, Zipporah was a Midianite and therefore not bound by the covenant of circumcision. When she married Moses, however, she became part of the Israelite community and was required to abide by its laws and customs. By circumcising her son, Zipporah was fulfilling God's covenant and demonstrating her commitment to the Israelite community.
3) Zipporah circumcised her son as a way of initiating him into the Israelite community
A third possible interpretation of the story is that Zipporah circumcised her son as a way of initiating him into the Israelite community. According to this view, Zipporah's son was born before Moses received his call from God, and therefore he was not circumcised at the time of his birth. When Moses returned to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of slavery, he was required to circumcise his son as a sign of his commitment to God and his people. Zipporah, realizing the importance of circumcision for her son's identity as an Israelite, performed the circumcision herself as a way of initiating him into the community.
Conclusion
The story of Zipporah and her son in Exodus 4:24-26 is a fascinating and complex episode in the story of Moses and the Israelites. While there is no one right answer to the question of why Zipporah circumcised her son, there are many possible interpretations that shed light on the significance of circumcision in the biblical world and the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's covenant. Whatever the true meaning of the story may be, it serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring relevance and richness of the biblical narrative.