The Enigmatic Divine Encounter in Exodus 4:24-26

Abstract

Kenneth A. Cherney Jr.’s essay explores the enigmatic passage of Exodus 4:24–26, where God seeks to kill someone—likely Moses’ son Gershom—until Zipporah intervenes by circumcising him. Cherney analyzes the textual ambiguities, especially the pronouns and Zipporah’s cryptic phrase “bridegroom of blood.” Drawing from ancient interpretations and linguistic insights, he argues that the passage reflects Midianite circumcision customs, possibly tied to marriage rites, which diverged from Israelite practice. Zipporah’s action and terminology suggest cultural tension and maternal urgency. Cherney concludes that the episode underscores the seriousness of covenantal signs like circumcision and draws a parallel to baptism today. He reflects on the importance of spiritual leadership beginning at home and the power of grace when someone—anyone—takes faithful action. The essay combines careful exegesis with pastoral application, offering clarity on one of Exodus’s most obscure texts. —Abstract by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)