Zipporah
femaleExodusMeaning: “Bird; sparrow”
The wife of Moses, a daughter of the priest of Midian, and mother of his sons Gershom and Eliezer.
Biography
Zipporah is the wife of Moses, one of the seven daughters of Reuel (Jethro), the priest of Midian (Exodus 2:16–21). Moses met her at a well when he defended the sisters from hostile shepherds.
A dramatic deliverance
As Moses returned to Egypt, a tense episode occurred when the LORD "sought to kill him"; Zipporah quickly circumcised their son and so averted the danger (Exodus 4:24–26), highlighting the seriousness of the covenant sign. She bore Moses two sons, Gershom and Eliezer (Exodus 18:3–4), and was later brought back to him by Jethro at Sinai (Exodus 18:2).
Life Timeline
Marries Moses in Midian
Circumcises her son on the way to Egypt
On the Bible timeline
Zipporah belongs to the The Exodus & Wilderness era (c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)).
- c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)The Exodus from Egypt
- c. 1446 BCThe Law Given at Sinai
- c. 1406 BCThe Conquest of Canaan
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Zipporah
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Zipporah appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
3 verses in 1 bookExodus3 verses
Exodus 2:21
And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
Exodus 4:25
Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. sharp: or, knife cast: Heb. made it touch
Exodus 18:2
Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back,
Frequently asked about Zipporah
Who was Zipporah in the Bible?
The wife of Moses, a daughter of the priest of Midian, and mother of his sons Gershom and Eliezer.
What does the name Zipporah mean?
The name Zipporah means “Bird; sparrow”.
What did Zipporah do in the Bible?
Zipporah served as shepherdess.
Who were Zipporah's children?
Zipporah's children include Gershom, Eliezer.
Where does Zipporah appear in the Bible?
Zipporah is mentioned 3 times across 1 book: Exodus.
What can we learn from Zipporah?
The story of Zipporah touches on themes of zipporah, desert, journey of israel through the, jethro, kenites, the — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Zipporah's life.
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