**Who Performed the Circumcision?
The episode in Exodus 4:24–26 is one of the most surprising and mysterious moments in the story of Moses. As Moses traveled back to Egypt to obey God’s command to confront Pharaoh, the Lord met him “at a lodging place on the way” and threatened to kill him. The crisis was resolved only when Zipporah, Moses’ wife, intervened. This brief incident raises an important question: Who actually performed the circumcision that saved Moses’ life?
1. The Context of the Incident
Moses had delayed circumcising his son—an act required by the covenant God made with Abraham. Circumcision was not optional; it was a sign marking the family as belonging to God’s covenant people. Moses, chosen to lead Israel, could not neglect the command God gave to all Israelite households.
The Lord’s anger, therefore, was not random. Moses could not represent God while openly ignoring the covenant sign.
2. Zipporah’s Decisive Intervention
The biblical text records that Zipporah herself took action:
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She seized a flint knife.
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She circumcised her son.
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She touched the foreskin to Moses’ feet, saying, “Surely you are a husband of blood to me.”
This makes it unmistakably clear that Zipporah—not Moses—performed the circumcision.
Why Zipporah Did It
Several reasons explain her involvement:
a. Moses was incapacitated
Since God was about to kill Moses, he may have been too weak, ill, or seized by divine judgment, preventing him from acting.
b. Zipporah acted out of urgency
There was no time to seek anyone else. Immediate obedience was necessary to stop the divine threat.
c. She understood what needed to be done
Although Zipporah was a Midianite, she understood enough about Moses’ God to know that circumcision was the required covenant sign.
3. The Significance of Zipporah Performing the Act
Zipporah’s action carries several layers of meaning:
She preserved Moses’ life
Her quick obedience ended the divine threat instantly.
She upheld God’s covenant command
While Moses neglected the requirement, Zipporah fulfilled it.
She demonstrated discernment and courage
The act required both physical and spiritual boldness. Zipporah acted decisively even though she found the ritual disturbing, as reflected in her comment, “husband of blood.”
She protected her family’s mission
By circumcising her son, she restored the covenant relationship necessary for Moses to proceed to Egypt as God’s chosen leader.
4. What the Episode Reveals About God
This short incident highlights several truths:
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God expects His leaders to obey His commands fully.
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Covenant signs are serious and not optional.
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God is merciful—He relented when Zipporah acted in obedience.
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God can use unexpected people to accomplish His purposes.
5. Conclusion
Zipporah performed the circumcision.
Her quick and courageous act saved Moses’ life and restored the family’s covenant standing before God. Though brief, this event underscores the seriousness of God’s covenant and the necessity of obedience—especially for those chosen to lead His people.