Exodus 4:25 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Zipporah circumcises their son with a stone and tells Moses he is a bloody husband.
The Context of Exodus 4:25
Zipporah intervenes at the moment of judgment, fulfilling the covenant obligation.
What Does Exodus 4:25 Mean?
Zipporah's action is swift and decisive. She recognizes that the circumcision covenant has been neglected and remedies it immediately, saving Moses' life.
Her words are bitter and protective. She performs the covenant act and declares Moses ritually unclean through the blood, perhaps as an act of sacrifice or intercession that turns God's judgment away.
Exodus 4:25 in the Original Language
berith (בְרִית), 'covenant' — the circumcision is the sign of the covenant with Abraham and all his descendants.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 4:25
What does Exodus 4:25 mean?
Zipporah circumcises their son with a stone and tells Moses he is a bloody husband.
What is the context of Exodus 4:25?
Zipporah intervenes at the moment of judgment, fulfilling the covenant obligation.