Moses is one of the most prominent figures in the Bible, known for leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, receiving the Ten Commandments from God, and guiding the people towards the Promised Land. However, a lesser-known aspect of Moses’ life is whether he himself was circumcised. This question arises from a brief but intriguing passage in the book of Exodus.
The Mysterious Encounter at the Lodging Place
In Exodus 4:24-26, we read about a strange incident that occurred while Moses was on his way back to Egypt:
“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 raises several questions: Why did the Lord intend to kill Moses? What does circumcision have to do with this situation? And most importantly for our inquiry, was Moses himself circumcised?
The Significance of Circumcision in the Old Testament
To understand the significance of this event, we need to look at the importance of circumcision in the Old Testament. God established circumcision as a covenant sign with Abraham, commanding that every male child be circumcised on the eighth day after birth (Genesis 17:9-14). This practice was later reiterated in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 12:3).
Circumcision served as a physical mark of the covenant relationship between God and his chosen people, the Israelites. It was a sign of their identity, obedience, and commitment to the Lord. Failure to circumcise a son was considered a breach of the covenant (Genesis 17:14).
Possible Explanations for Moses’ Uncircumcised State
Given the centrality of circumcision in Israelite culture and the Abrahamic covenant, it seems puzzling that Moses, as an Israelite, would not have been circumcised. Several explanations have been proposed:
1. Moses was circumcised, but his sons were not. It’s possible that Moses had been circumcised as a child, but for some reason, he had not circumcised his own sons. This would explain why Zipporah had to perform the act on their son, rather than Moses doing it himself.
2. Moses was born in Egypt and his circumcision was neglected. Some scholars suggest that since Moses was born in Egypt to Israelite parents, his circumcision may have been overlooked or delayed, perhaps due to the oppressive conditions the Israelites faced under Pharaoh‘s rule.
3. Moses was uncircumcised due to his life in Midian. After fleeing Egypt, Moses spent many years living in Midian, where he married Zipporah and became a shepherd. It’s possible that during this time, he adopted some of the cultural practices of the Midianites, who were not required to practice circumcision.
The Consequences of Moses’ Uncircumcised State
Whatever the reason for Moses’ uncircumcised state, the passage in Exodus 4 indicates that it had serious consequences. The Lord intended to kill Moses, likely because he had failed to circumcise his son and uphold the covenant. This suggests that Moses’ neglect of this important rite had put him in danger of divine judgment.
It was only through Zipporah’s quick action in circumcising their son and touching Moses’ feet with the foreskin that the Lord relented and spared Moses’ life. Zipporah’s words, “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” indicate that she understood the gravity of the situation and the importance of circumcision in maintaining right relationship with God.
The Significance of Moses’ Circumcision for His Mission
The fact that Moses was nearly killed by the Lord for his uncircumcised state highlights the importance of this covenant sign for the Israelites. As the one chosen by God to lead the people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, Moses needed to be fully committed to the Lord and the covenant relationship.
Moses’ near-death experience at the lodging place may have served as a wake-up call, reminding him of the significance of circumcision and the need to be obedient to God’s commands. It’s possible that this incident strengthened Moses’ resolve and commitment as he embarked on his mission to free the Israelites from slavery and guide them towards their destiny as God’s chosen people.
Conclusion
While the Bible does not explicitly state whether Mos was circumcised, the passage in Exodus 4 suggests that at some point, Moses had neglected this important covenant sign. The consequences of this neglect were severe, as the Lord intended to kill Moses for his disobedience.
However, this incident also highlights the grace and mercy of God, who relented when Moses’ wife Zipporah took action to circumcise their son. The story serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and commitment to God’s commands, even in the face of difficult circumstances or cultural pressures.