Exodus 4:25-26

[prairiedog]

Why did Zipporah have a problem with circumcision?

I ask because I thought Jethro was descended from one of Abraham's sons born to his second wife.

Weren't all of Abraham's descendants to be circumcised?

Ishmael was circumcised. Isaac was circumcised. I would think it would stand to reason that the other sons would be, too, and pass the custom on to their descendants.

Thoughts anyone?

[JesusFreak92]

Im stumped

[Hootmon]

Why did Zipporah have a problem with circumcision? It wasnt really a 'problem' as such.

She 'purchased' her husband (who was about to be killed) with the blood of her son.

[Rondaben]

Here's my 2 cents...

Moses was born to a Hebrew family and was put into the river at 3 months of age (Ex 2:2). He would have been circumcised at that time in the tradition of the Hebrews. Moses was, however, raised as an Egyptian and there were no such circumcision requirements for them. He would have been raised without placing significance in circumcision as a mark of a covenental relationship with God.

Now, flash forward to Ex 4:20. Moses, Zapporah and family are headed to Egypt. God has told Moses that he will tell Pharoh that he will kill Pharoh's first born son. On the way it is apparent that Moses has not circumcised his own son...a mark of disobedience to God (i.e. a sin) that would receive the same punishment as that reserved for Pharoh's disobedience (his son's death). God came to punish Moses just as he would Pharoh--by killing his son. Zapporah, a descendant of Jethro would have understood the importance of circumcision and circumcised the child to save his life. I believe that v 24 refers to Moses' son and not Moses (though it very well could because Moses was in disobedience for not circumcising his own son!).

Zipporah's statement "Surely a bridegroom of blood art thou to me" in v25 is Zipporah speaking to Jehovah. I believe that this means "I understand the importance of this covenantal practice" and was making it right with God. God saw this and left the child alone because of her faithfullness. v 26 has Zepporah once again saying "bridegroom of blood art thou, because of the circumcision." i think that she is saying this to Moses now---in effect saying that "You have been brought into compliance with the covenant because of the circumcision".

Take all of this with a grain of salt...just my thoughts.

[Miss Molly]

I've wondered about this too; we are studying Exodus in my Bible Study and it drove me up the wall!

Apparently, Jethro is indeed a descendant of Abraham but it does not follow that he would have followed the circumcision requirements. He would be the PHYSICAL ONLY descendant of Abraham and is the ancestor of the Midianites. Moses was a descendant of Levi and therefore a Spiritual Jew as well as a physical one. He would have been circumcised and should have seen to it that his son was too. Apparently Zipporah was not in agreement with Moses' people that circumcision was important. Moses "caved" and chose to obey his wife rather than God...this is what God was angry about. That's my two cents worth! :hehee