King James Version
What Does Exodus 4:25 Mean?
“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”
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.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(25) **A sharp stone.—**On the use of stone knives by the Egyptian *paraschistœ* see Herod. ii. 86. They were regarded as more pure than metal knives. From Joshua 5:2 it would seem that stone knives were in the early ages commonly employed for circumcision by the Israelites.
**At his feet.**—Moses’ feet, undoubtedly. The action was petulant and reproachful. Zipporah regarded the bloody rites of her husband’s religion as cruel and barbarous, and cast the foreskin of her son at his feet, as though he were a Moloch requiring a bloody offering.
**A bloody husband.**—Heb., *a husband of bloods* A husband, *i.e.,* who causes the blood of his children to be shed unnecessarily for some unintelligible reason.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge