Bible Figure
Zipporah
biblical character, wife of Moses
Zipporah was the Midianite wife of Moses, daughter of Jethro, and mother of Gershom and Eliezer.
Biography
Moses met Zipporah's family after fleeing Egypt and helping Jethro's daughters at a well. Jethro gave Zipporah to Moses, and she bore Gershom and Eliezer. During Moses' return toward Egypt, Exodus records a difficult episode in which the Lord confronted Moses and Zipporah circumcised their son, touching Moses' feet and calling him a bridegroom of blood. Later Jethro brought Zipporah and the boys to Moses in the wilderness after the Exodus. Scripture does not provide a detailed account of her later life, and interpretations differ over the relationship between Zipporah and the Cushite woman mentioned in Numbers 12.
Biblical Significance
Zipporah belongs to Moses' household during the decisive transition from Midianite exile to Israel's deliverance. The circumcision episode emphasizes the seriousness of covenant obedience even for the family of Israel's appointed leader.