Keraia
Exodus 4

Exodus 4:26

Moses Leaves for Egypt · Exodus 4:18–26
Read Exodus 4

Translations

Modern
So the LORD let him alone. (When she said, “bridegroom of blood,” she was referring to the circumcision.)
Traditional
So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
Literal
And He let him alone. (At that time she said, “You are a bridegroom of blood,” because of the circumcision.)
Latin
Et dimisit eum postquam dixerat: Sponsus sanguinum ob circumcisionem.

Original

Hebrew
English
So the LORD let him alone. (When she said, “bridegroom of blood,” she was referring to the circumcision.)

Notes

Exodus 4:24–26

This incident is mysterious. Zipporah immediately circumcising her son suggests she and Moses had previously discussed it and decided it was unnecessary. Why would having an uncircumcised son make God want to kill the rescuer he had prepared and called?

It would seem strange for Moses to arrive in Egypt claiming to represent the God of the Israelites' ancestors, but would not do what God commanded them (Genesis 17:10). This might cause the people to be less willing to follow God exclusively.

Exodus 3:1–4:28

This section describes the mission God gave Moses to rescue the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. It is divided into two parts, 3:1–4:17 and 4:18–28.

The first part describes God's call. The second part describes the full consequences of accepting that call. Moses not only experienced a career change, but he also had to completely change his life.

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Bronze Snake, Bronze Serpent Circumcision Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel

Topics

Circumcision: A Painful and Bloody Rite Circumcision: Punishment for Neglecting Family: Infelicity in Moses and Zipporah Moses: His Controversy with his Wife on Account of Circumcision Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Zipporah: Reproaches Moses