Bible Dictionary
Ethiopian woman
The Ethiopian woman was the Cushite wife of Moses mentioned in Numbers 12. Aaron and Miriam criticized Moses because of this marriage, and God defended Moses against their complaint.
Definition
The Ethiopian woman was the Cushite wife of Moses mentioned in Numbers 12. The supplied material distinguishes her from Zipporah or suggests that Zipporah may have died before this marriage.
Biblical Usage
Aaron and Miriam objected to Moses because of this marriage. Their complaint is associated with the account in which God defended Moses.
Historical Background
She is described as descended from Ham. Some interpreters identify her with Zipporah, while others understand her to have been another wife whom Moses married after Zipporah’s death.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The wife of Moses (Num. 12:1). It is supposed that Zipporah, Moses’ first wife (Ex. 2:21), was now dead. His marriage of this “woman” descended from Ham gave offence to Aaron and Miriam.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
The wife of Moses is to described in (Numbers 12:1) She is elsewhere said to have been the daughter of a Midianite, and in consequence of this some have supposed that the allusion is to another wife whom Moses married after the death of Zipporah.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>See CUSHITE WOMAN.</p>