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.
Original Language Analysis
צֹ֗ר
a sharp stone
H6864
צֹ֗ר
a sharp stone
Strong's:
H6864
Word #:
3 of 15
a stone (as if pressed hard or to a point); (by implication, of use) a knife
וַתִּכְרֹת֙
and cut off
H3772
וַתִּכְרֹת֙
and cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
4 of 15
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנָ֔הּ
of her son
H1121
בְּנָ֔הּ
of her son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וַתַּגַּ֖ע
and cast
H5060
וַתַּגַּ֖ע
and cast
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
לְרַגְלָ֑יו
it at his feet
H7272
לְרַגְלָ֑יו
it at his feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
9 of 15
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
כִּ֧י
H3588
כִּ֧י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
חֲתַן
husband
H2860
חֲתַן
husband
Strong's:
H2860
Word #:
12 of 15
a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)
Historical Context
Flint knives were traditionally used for circumcision (Joshua 5:2-3) even after bronze/iron tools existed, maintaining ancient practice. Zipporah's Midianite background may have made Hebrew circumcision customs foreign or objectionable. The phrase chatan-damim occurs only here, making translation difficult. Some see it as establishing circumcision as "marriage" (covenant cutting) between God and His people, sealed in blood.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Zipporah's reluctant obedience teach about the tensions that arise when covenant obligations conflict with cultural or personal preferences?
- What does this crisis teach about ensuring that family religious practices align with covenant requirements, not just personal convenience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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 (וַתִּקַּח צִפֹּרָה צֹר וַתִּכְרֹת אֶת־עָרְלַת בְּנָהּ וַתַּגַּע לְרַגְלָיו וַתֹּאמֶר כִּי חֲתַן־דָּמִים אַתָּה לִי)—Zipporah acts decisively, using a sharp stone (צֹר, tsor, flint knife) to circumcise their son. Cast it at his feet (וַתַּגַּע לְרַגְלָיו, lit. "touched his feet")—whose feet? Moses' or the child's? Ambiguous. Bloody husband (חֲתַן־דָּמִים, chatan-damim)—obscure phrase, possibly "bridegroom of blood" connecting circumcision to covenant marriage. Zipporah's tone seems reproachful—she finds this bloody ritual distasteful. Her action saves Moses' life but reveals marital tension over religious practice. She later returns to Midian (18:2), possibly due to this conflict.