Zipporah

Overview

• Testament: Old
• Role: Wife of Moses, Midianite
• Family: Daughter of Jethro, wife of Moses, mother of Gershom and Eliezer
• Key Books: Exodus

Biography

Zipporah was the daughter of Jethro, a Midianite priest. Moses married her after fleeing Egypt and spending years as a shepherd in Midian. She bore two sons: Gershom (“I am a stranger here”) and Eliezer (“My father’s God was my help”).

Zipporah’s most dramatic moment came on the journey back to Egypt. At a lodging place, God confronted Moses and was about to kill him — likely because he had not circumcised his son. Zipporah quickly performed circumcision on their son, touching Moses’ feet with the blood and saying “Surely thou art a bridegroom of blood to me.” The attack was averted.

This incident highlights the seriousness of covenant obedience and Zipporah’s faithfulness in a critical moment.

Key Events

• Married Moses in Midian
• Circumcised their son — saved Moses’ life
• Returned to Egypt with Moses

Relationships

• Moses — Husband
• Jethro — Father
• Gershom & Eliezer — Sons

Important Verses

• “And Jethro gave unto Moses a wife, and her name was Zipporah. And she bore a son; and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.” — Exodus 2:21-22
• “And she took a sharp stone, and cut the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bridegroom of blood art thou to me.” — Exodus 4:25

Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 10:8 — Reference to the incident at the lodging place