King James Version

What Does Exodus 4:25 Mean?

Exodus 4:25 in the King James Version says “Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a blood...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 4:25 · KJV

Context

23

And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

24

And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.

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

26

So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.

27

And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.

Read Exodus 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Zipporah's reluctant obedience teach about the tensions that arise when covenant obligations conflict with cultural or personal preferences?
  2. What does this crisis teach about ensuring that family religious practices align with covenant requirements, not just personal convenience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַתִּקַּ֨ח1 of 15

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

צִפֹּרָ֜ה2 of 15

“Then Zipporah”

H6855

tsipporah, moses wife

צֹ֗ר3 of 15

“a sharp stone”

H6864

a stone (as if pressed hard or to a point); (by implication, of use) a knife

וַתִּכְרֹת֙4 of 15

“and cut off”

H3772

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

אֶת5 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עָרְלַ֣ת6 of 15

“the foreskin”

H6190

the prepuce

בְּנָ֔הּ7 of 15

“of her son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וַתַּגַּ֖ע8 of 15

“and cast”

H5060

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

לְרַגְלָ֑יו9 of 15

“it at his feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

וַתֹּ֕אמֶר10 of 15

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כִּ֧י11 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

חֲתַן12 of 15

“husband”

H2860

a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)

דָּמִ֛ים13 of 15

“Surely a bloody”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

אַתָּ֖ה14 of 15
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

לִֽי׃15 of 15
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 4:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 4:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 5:2-3Genesis 17:142 Samuel 16:7

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