The term “bridegroom of blood” appears in Exodus 4:24-26, which reads:
At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him. But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.)
This passage occurs right after God commissioned Moses to go to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery. On the way, God suddenly decides to kill Moses for some unspecified reason. Moses’ wife Zipporah quickly circumcises their son and touches the bloody foreskin to Moses’ feet, after which God lets Moses live. Zipporah then refers to Moses as a “bridegroom of blood” because of the circumcision.
There are several ways people have interpreted the meaning behind Zipporah calling Moses a “bridegroom of blood”:
1. Referring to the protection of circumcision
Some see Zipporah’s words as essentially saying, “This bloody circumcision ritual has protected you like a bridegroom. It has saved your life.” The blood of circumcision warded off the otherwise imminent death sentence from God. So Moses is her metaphorical “bridegroom of blood” because the bloody rite preserved Moses like a husband.
2. Allusion to a marriage covenant
Calling Moses a “bridegroom of blood” may also hint at a marital covenant. In ancient near eastern culture, blood often represented a covenant between parties. Since Zipporah was Moses’ wife, her reference to him as a “bridegroom of blood” recalls the covenant relationship between husband and wife sealed with the blood of circumcision.
3. Hinting at a ritual substitution
Some scholars note that in some ancient Semitic wedding rituals, the blood from the bride’s loss of virginity would be placed on the bridegroom. Zipporah’s act of touching the bloody foreskin to Moses’ feet could metaphorically portray a similar ritual substitution – making Moses symbolically akin to a bridegroom who has been intimate with his bride.
4. Emphasizing the seriousness of God’s call
Calling Moses a “bridegroom of blood” may also emphasize the gravity of his calling from God. Just as blood represents the solemn covenant between husband and wife, the bloodshed from circumcision underscores how critical Moses’ commission was – it was a matter of life and death.
Overall, Zipporah likely intended to communicate the severity and intimacy of Moses’ divine appointment when she referred to him as a “bridegroom of blood.” By swiftly circumcising their son and touching Moses with the blood, she protected her “bridegroom” and allowed him to carry on his mission for God.
5. Foreshadowing Jesus Christ
From a Christian perspective, some see the events in Exodus 4 as foreshadowing the work of Christ. Jesus shed his blood to protect his people from death and judgment, instituting a new covenant. So Zipporah calling Moses a “bridegroom of blood” could faintly echo how Jesus would become the ultimate bridegroom who saves his bride, the church, through bloody sacrifice.
6. Emphasizing Moses’ obedience
Another potential angle is that Zipporah was essentially saying to Moses, “Now you are a true and obedient bridegroom to me because you have participated in this bloody sign of the covenant.” Her words served as a reminder to Moses to be faithful to God’s commands regarding circumcision as he took on his important role as Israel’s leader.
7. Allusion to dangers faced on the journey
Some think Zipporah’s declaration highlighted the hazards Moses had encountered on his journey thus far. God had just threatened his life were it not for the circumcision. So as a “bridegroom of blood,” Moses had narrowly escaped death, foreshadowing the bloody dangers he would meet on the road ahead.
There are several plausible ways to interpret Zipporah’s brief but intriguing statement about Moses as a “bridegroom of blood.” At its core, it seems intended to convey the life-saving power of blood, whether from protection, covenant, intimacy, sacrifice or obedience to God’s commands. Through her swift action and bold declaration, Zipporah rescued her bridegroom Moses so he could fulfill his crucial calling.
8. Evidence of God’s displeasure with Moses
The fact that God was ready to kill Moses points to some transgression or disobedience on Moses’ part. Zipporah’s mention of a “bridegroom of blood” may have been a rebuke indicating that if Moses had properly kept God’s covenant regarding circumcision, this close brush with death would have been avoided. Her words carry tones of disapproval and frustration.
9. Foreshadowing Moses’ leadership
As a leader, Moses was called to a position that would involve much bloodshed, pain and conflict. His life being threatened at the start of his journey could ominously presage his future role delivering the Israelites out of brutal slavery in Egypt. Thus Zipporah’s bridegroom of blood reference signals Moses’ destined leadership through turmoil and violence.
The Exodus story leaves much uncertainty about this brief, odd passage. But clearly Moses was nearly killed except for his wife’s quick thinking, highlighting her partnership and God’s expectation of faithfulness as Moses embarked on his epic mission.
10. Emphasis on the covenantal period
During Moses’ time, covenants were sometimes sealed with blood. So Zipporah touching Moses with bloody foreskin may have indicated he was now partaking in the covenant between God and Abraham regarding circumcision. Her bridegroom metaphor signals Moses’ formal entry into this covenantal period marked by blood oaths to God.
While the full import of Zipporah’s symbolic statement remains ambiguous, at the very least it highlights the life-and-death gravity of Moses’ calling to lead Israel from slavery into covenant with Yahweh.
In summary, the term “bridegroom of blood” in Exodus 4:25 contains several possible meanings in its Old Testament context:
- A metaphorical reference to the protection provided by circumcision blood that saved Moses’ life
- An allusion to covenant relationships sealed by blood
- Imagery of blood substitution from ancient marriage rituals
- Emphasizing the weightiness of Moses’ divine mission
- A faint foreshadowing of Christ’s atoning bloodshed
- Stressing Moses’ need for obedience to God’s commands
- Hinting at future dangers Moses would face
- Evidence of God’s displeasure with Moses’ neglect of covenant rituals
- Ominous foreshadowing of Moses’ upcoming leadership through blood and conflict
- Marking Moses’ entry into the Abrahamic covenant
While scholars debate the precise meaning, clearly Zipporah’s dramatic actions preserved her “bridegroom of blood” Moses for his critical calling and allowed him to avoid God’s impending judgment.
