Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025
the Fourth Week of Advent
the Fourth Week of Advent
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THE MESSAGE
Exodus 4:26
This verse is not available in the MSG!
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Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
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- CondensedParallel Translations
Hebrew Names Version
So he let him alone. Then she said, "You are a bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision.
So he let him alone. Then she said, "You are a bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision.
King James Version
So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
Lexham English Bible
And he left him alone. At that time she said, "A bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision.
And he left him alone. At that time she said, "A bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision.
New Century Version
She said, "You are a bridegroom of blood," because she had to circumcise her son. So the Lord let Moses alone.
She said, "You are a bridegroom of blood," because she had to circumcise her son. So the Lord let Moses alone.
New English Translation
So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said, "A bridegroom of blood," referring to the circumcision.)
So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said, "A bridegroom of blood," referring to the circumcision.)
Amplified Bible
So He let Moses alone [to recover]. At that time Zipporah said, "You are a husband of blood"—because of the circumcision.
So He let Moses alone [to recover]. At that time Zipporah said, "You are a husband of blood"—because of the circumcision.
New American Standard Bible
So He left him alone. At that time she said, "You are a groom of blood"—because of the circumcision.
So He left him alone. At that time she said, "You are a groom of blood"—because of the circumcision.
Geneva Bible (1587)
So he departed from him. Then she saide, O bloodie husbande (because of the circumcision)
So he departed from him. Then she saide, O bloodie husbande (because of the circumcision)
Legacy Standard Bible
So He let him alone. At that time she said, "You are a bridegroom of blood" with reference to the circumcision.
So He let him alone. At that time she said, "You are a bridegroom of blood" with reference to the circumcision.
Contemporary English Version
So the Lord did not harm Moses. Then Zipporah said, "Yes, my dear, you are safe because of this circumcision."
So the Lord did not harm Moses. Then Zipporah said, "Yes, my dear, you are safe because of this circumcision."
Complete Jewish Bible
But then, God let Moshe be. She added, "A bloody bridegroom because of the circumcision!"
But then, God let Moshe be. She added, "A bloody bridegroom because of the circumcision!"
Darby Translation
And he let him go. Then she said, A bloody husband—because of the circumcision.
And he let him go. Then she said, A bloody husband—because of the circumcision.
Easy-to-Read Version
Zipporah said this because she had to circumcise her son. So God let Moses live.
Zipporah said this because she had to circumcise her son. So God let Moses live.
English Standard Version
So he let him alone. It was then that she said, "A bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision.
So he let him alone. It was then that she said, "A bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision.
George Lamsa Translation
So the LORD let him go. Then she said, You are a bloody husband, because of the circumcision.
So the LORD let him go. Then she said, You are a bloody husband, because of the circumcision.
Christian Standard Bible®
So he let him alone. At that time she said, “You are a bridegroom of blood,” referring to the circumcision.
So he let him alone. At that time she said, “You are a bridegroom of blood,” referring to the circumcision.
Literal Translation
And He pulled back from him. Then she said, A bridegroom of blood, for the circumcision.
And He pulled back from him. Then she said, A bridegroom of blood, for the circumcision.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
The let he him go. But she sayde: A bloudy brydegrome, because of the circumcision.
The let he him go. But she sayde: A bloudy brydegrome, because of the circumcision.
American Standard Version
So he let him alone. Then she said, A bridegroom of blood art thou, because of the circumcision.
So he let him alone. Then she said, A bridegroom of blood art thou, because of the circumcision.
Bible in Basic English
So he let him go. Then she said, You are a husband of blood because of the circumcision.
So he let him go. Then she said, You are a husband of blood because of the circumcision.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then he let him go, and she sayde: a blooddy husbande, because of her circumcision.
Then he let him go, and she sayde: a blooddy husbande, because of her circumcision.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
So He let him alone. Then she said: 'A bridegroom of blood in regard of the circumcision.'
So He let him alone. Then she said: 'A bridegroom of blood in regard of the circumcision.'
King James Version (1611)
So he let him goe: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the Circumcision.
So he let him goe: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the Circumcision.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
and he departed from him, because she said, The blood of the circumcision of my son is staunched.
and he departed from him, because she said, The blood of the circumcision of my son is staunched.
English Revised Version
So he let him alone. Then she said, A bridegroom of blood art thou, because of the circumcision.
So he let him alone. Then she said, A bridegroom of blood art thou, because of the circumcision.
Berean Standard Bible
So the LORD let him alone. (When she said, "bridegroom of blood," she was referring to the circumcision.)
So the LORD let him alone. (When she said, "bridegroom of blood," she was referring to the circumcision.)
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And he lefte hym, aftir that sche hadde seid, Thou art an hosebonde of bloodis to me for circumcisioun.
And he lefte hym, aftir that sche hadde seid, Thou art an hosebonde of bloodis to me for circumcisioun.
Young's Literal Translation
and He desisteth from him: then she said, `A bridegroom of blood,' in reference to the circumcision.
and He desisteth from him: then she said, `A bridegroom of blood,' in reference to the circumcision.
Update Bible Version
So he let him alone. Then she said, A bridegroom of blood [you are], because of the circumcision.
So he let him alone. Then she said, A bridegroom of blood [you are], because of the circumcision.
Webster's Bible Translation
So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband [thou art], because of the circumcision.
So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband [thou art], because of the circumcision.
World English Bible
So he let him alone. Then she said, "You are a bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision.
So he let him alone. Then she said, "You are a bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision.
New King James Version
So He let him go. Then she said, "You are a husband of blood!"--because of the circumcision.
So He let him go. Then she said, "You are a husband of blood!"--because of the circumcision.
New Living Translation
(When she said "a bridegroom of blood," she was referring to the circumcision.) After that, the Lord left him alone.
(When she said "a bridegroom of blood," she was referring to the circumcision.) After that, the Lord left him alone.
New Life Bible
Then the Lord let him alone. Zipporah said, "You are a husband of blood," because of the religious act of becoming a Jew.
Then the Lord let him alone. Zipporah said, "You are a husband of blood," because of the religious act of becoming a Jew.
New Revised Standard
So he let him alone. It was then she said, "A bridegroom of blood by circumcision."
So he let him alone. It was then she said, "A bridegroom of blood by circumcision."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So he let him go, Then, it was that she said, A bridegroom by rites of blood - with regard to the rites of circumcision.
So he let him go, Then, it was that she said, A bridegroom by rites of blood - with regard to the rites of circumcision.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he let him go after she had said: A bloody spouse art thou to me, because of the circumcision.
And he let him go after she had said: A bloody spouse art thou to me, because of the circumcision.
Revised Standard Version
So he let him alone. Then it was that she said, "You are a bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision.
So he let him alone. Then it was that she said, "You are a bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
So He let him alone. At that time she said, "You are a bridegroom of blood"—because of the circumcision.
So He let him alone. At that time she said, "You are a bridegroom of blood"—because of the circumcision.
Contextual Overview
24On the journey back, as they camped for the night, God met Moses and would have killed him but Zipporah took a flint knife and cut off her son's foreskin, and touched Moses' member with it. She said, "Oh! You're a bridegroom of blood to me!" Then God let him go. She used the phrase "bridegroom of blood" because of the circumcision. 27 God spoke to Aaron, "Go and meet Moses in the wilderness." He went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. Moses told Aaron the message that God had sent him to speak and the wonders he had commanded him to do. 29So Moses and Aaron proceeded to round up all the leaders of Israel. Aaron told them everything that God had told Moses and demonstrated the wonders before the people. And the people trusted and listened believingly that God was concerned with what was going on with the Israelites and knew all about their affliction. They bowed low and they worshiped.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Reciprocal: Exodus 18:2 - Zipporah
Cross-References
Genesis 4:15
God told him, "No. Anyone who kills Cain will pay for it seven times over." God put a mark on Cain to protect him so that no one who met him would kill him.
God told him, "No. Anyone who kills Cain will pay for it seven times over." God put a mark on Cain to protect him so that no one who met him would kill him.
Genesis 4:17
Cain slept with his wife. She conceived and had Enoch. He then built a city and named it after his son, Enoch. Enoch had Irad, Irad had Mehujael, Mehujael had Methushael, Methushael had Lamech.
Cain slept with his wife. She conceived and had Enoch. He then built a city and named it after his son, Enoch. Enoch had Irad, Irad had Mehujael, Mehujael had Methushael, Methushael had Lamech.
Genesis 12:8
He moved on from there to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent between Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. He built an altar there and prayed to God .
He moved on from there to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent between Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. He built an altar there and prayed to God .
Genesis 26:25
Isaac built an altar there and prayed, calling on God by name. He pitched his tent and his servants started digging another well.
Isaac built an altar there and prayed, calling on God by name. He pitched his tent and his servants started digging another well.
Isaiah 48:1
"And now listen to this, family of Jacob, you who are called by the name Israel: Who got you started in the loins of Judah, you who use God 's name to back up your promises and pray to the God of Israel? But do you mean it? Do you live like it? You claim to be citizens of the Holy City; you act as though you lean on the God of Israel, named God -of-the-Angel-Armies. For a long time now, I've let you in on the way I work: I told you what I was going to do beforehand, then I did it and it was done, and that's that. I know you're a bunch of hardheads, obstinate and flint-faced, So I got a running start and began telling you what was going on before it even happened. That is why you can't say, ‘My god-idol did this.' ‘My favorite god-carving commanded this.' You have all this evidence confirmed by your own eyes and ears. Shouldn't you be talking about it? And that was just the beginning. I have a lot more to tell you, things you never knew existed. This isn't a variation on the same old thing. This is new, brand-new, something you'd never guess or dream up. When you hear this you won't be able to say, ‘I knew that all along.' You've never been good listeners to me. You have a history of ignoring me, A sorry track record of fickle attachments— rebels from the womb. But out of the sheer goodness of my heart, because of who I am, I keep a tight rein on my anger and hold my temper. I don't wash my hands of you. Do you see what I've done? I've refined you, but not without fire. I've tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction. Out of myself, simply because of who I am, I do what I do. I have my reputation to keep up. I'm not playing second fiddle to either gods or people.
"And now listen to this, family of Jacob, you who are called by the name Israel: Who got you started in the loins of Judah, you who use God 's name to back up your promises and pray to the God of Israel? But do you mean it? Do you live like it? You claim to be citizens of the Holy City; you act as though you lean on the God of Israel, named God -of-the-Angel-Armies. For a long time now, I've let you in on the way I work: I told you what I was going to do beforehand, then I did it and it was done, and that's that. I know you're a bunch of hardheads, obstinate and flint-faced, So I got a running start and began telling you what was going on before it even happened. That is why you can't say, ‘My god-idol did this.' ‘My favorite god-carving commanded this.' You have all this evidence confirmed by your own eyes and ears. Shouldn't you be talking about it? And that was just the beginning. I have a lot more to tell you, things you never knew existed. This isn't a variation on the same old thing. This is new, brand-new, something you'd never guess or dream up. When you hear this you won't be able to say, ‘I knew that all along.' You've never been good listeners to me. You have a history of ignoring me, A sorry track record of fickle attachments— rebels from the womb. But out of the sheer goodness of my heart, because of who I am, I keep a tight rein on my anger and hold my temper. I don't wash my hands of you. Do you see what I've done? I've refined you, but not without fire. I've tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction. Out of myself, simply because of who I am, I do what I do. I have my reputation to keep up. I'm not playing second fiddle to either gods or people.
Isaiah 63:19
Who Goes There? The watchmen call out, "Who goes there, marching out of Edom, out of Bozrah in clothes dyed red? Name yourself, so splendidly dressed, advancing, bristling with power!" "It is I: I speak what is right, I, mighty to save!" "And why are your robes so red, your clothes dyed red like those who tread grapes?" "I've been treading the winepress alone. No one was there to help me. Angrily, I stomped the grapes; raging, I trampled the people. Their blood spurted all over me— all my clothes were soaked with blood. I was set on vengeance. The time for redemption had arrived. I looked around for someone to help —no one. I couldn't believe it —not one volunteer. So I went ahead and did it myself, fed and fueled by my rage. I trampled the people in my anger, crushed them under foot in my wrath, soaked the earth with their lifeblood." I'll make a list of God 's gracious dealings, all the things God has done that need praising, All the generous bounties of God , his great goodness to the family of Israel— Compassion lavished, love extravagant. He said, "Without question these are my people, children who would never betray me." So he became their Savior. In all their troubles, he was troubled, too. He didn't send someone else to help them. He did it himself, in person. Out of his own love and pity he redeemed them. He rescued them and carried them along for a long, long time. But they turned on him; they grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned on them, became their enemy and fought them. Then they remembered the old days, the days of Moses, God's servant: "Where is he who brought the shepherds of his flock up and out of the sea? And what happened to the One who set his Holy Spirit within them? Who linked his arm with Moses' right arm, divided the waters before them, Making him famous ever after, and led them through the muddy abyss as surefooted as horses on hard, level ground? Like a herd of cattle led to pasture, the Spirit of God gave them rest." That's how you led your people! That's how you became so famous! Look down from heaven, look at us! Look out the window of your holy and magnificent house! Whatever happened to your passion, your famous mighty acts, Your heartfelt pity, your compassion? Why are you holding back? You are our Father. Abraham and Israel are long dead. They wouldn't know us from Adam. But you're our living Father, our Redeemer, famous from eternity! Why, God , did you make us wander from your ways? Why did you make us cold and stubborn so that we no longer worshiped you in awe? Turn back for the sake of your servants. You own us! We belong to you! For a while your holy people had it good, but now our enemies have wrecked your holy place. For a long time now, you've paid no attention to us. It's like you never knew us.
Who Goes There? The watchmen call out, "Who goes there, marching out of Edom, out of Bozrah in clothes dyed red? Name yourself, so splendidly dressed, advancing, bristling with power!" "It is I: I speak what is right, I, mighty to save!" "And why are your robes so red, your clothes dyed red like those who tread grapes?" "I've been treading the winepress alone. No one was there to help me. Angrily, I stomped the grapes; raging, I trampled the people. Their blood spurted all over me— all my clothes were soaked with blood. I was set on vengeance. The time for redemption had arrived. I looked around for someone to help —no one. I couldn't believe it —not one volunteer. So I went ahead and did it myself, fed and fueled by my rage. I trampled the people in my anger, crushed them under foot in my wrath, soaked the earth with their lifeblood." I'll make a list of God 's gracious dealings, all the things God has done that need praising, All the generous bounties of God , his great goodness to the family of Israel— Compassion lavished, love extravagant. He said, "Without question these are my people, children who would never betray me." So he became their Savior. In all their troubles, he was troubled, too. He didn't send someone else to help them. He did it himself, in person. Out of his own love and pity he redeemed them. He rescued them and carried them along for a long, long time. But they turned on him; they grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned on them, became their enemy and fought them. Then they remembered the old days, the days of Moses, God's servant: "Where is he who brought the shepherds of his flock up and out of the sea? And what happened to the One who set his Holy Spirit within them? Who linked his arm with Moses' right arm, divided the waters before them, Making him famous ever after, and led them through the muddy abyss as surefooted as horses on hard, level ground? Like a herd of cattle led to pasture, the Spirit of God gave them rest." That's how you led your people! That's how you became so famous! Look down from heaven, look at us! Look out the window of your holy and magnificent house! Whatever happened to your passion, your famous mighty acts, Your heartfelt pity, your compassion? Why are you holding back? You are our Father. Abraham and Israel are long dead. They wouldn't know us from Adam. But you're our living Father, our Redeemer, famous from eternity! Why, God , did you make us wander from your ways? Why did you make us cold and stubborn so that we no longer worshiped you in awe? Turn back for the sake of your servants. You own us! We belong to you! For a while your holy people had it good, but now our enemies have wrecked your holy place. For a long time now, you've paid no attention to us. It's like you never knew us.
Zephaniah 3:9
"In the end I will turn things around for the people. I'll give them a language undistorted, unpolluted, Words to address God in worship and, united, to serve me with their shoulders to the wheel. They'll come from beyond the Ethiopian rivers, they'll come praying— All my scattered, exiled people will come home with offerings for worship. You'll no longer have to be ashamed of all those acts of rebellion. I'll have gotten rid of your arrogant leaders. No more pious strutting on my holy hill! I'll leave a core of people among you who are poor in spirit— What's left of Israel that's really Israel. They'll make their home in God . This core holy people will not do wrong. They won't lie, won't use words to flatter or seduce. Content with who they are and where they are, unanxious, they'll live at peace."
"In the end I will turn things around for the people. I'll give them a language undistorted, unpolluted, Words to address God in worship and, united, to serve me with their shoulders to the wheel. They'll come from beyond the Ethiopian rivers, they'll come praying— All my scattered, exiled people will come home with offerings for worship. You'll no longer have to be ashamed of all those acts of rebellion. I'll have gotten rid of your arrogant leaders. No more pious strutting on my holy hill! I'll leave a core of people among you who are poor in spirit— What's left of Israel that's really Israel. They'll make their home in God . This core holy people will not do wrong. They won't lie, won't use words to flatter or seduce. Content with who they are and where they are, unanxious, they'll live at peace."
Gill's Notes on the Bible
So he let him go,.... That is, the Lord let Moses go; suffered him to go on his journey without any further interruption; as the Targums, "it", the angel, ceased from him, or left him; or the disease and trembling departed from him, as Aben Ezra, and he was quite well and easy; though Grotius, after Lyra, understands it of Zipporah, she departed from him, that is, from Moses, and returned to Midian again, as it seems she did; but this the grammatical construction of the words will not bear, being masculine, though sometimes the masculine is used of women, as in Exodus 1:21:
then she said, a bloody husband thou art because of the circumcision; this is repeated, partly to give the reason of her calling him a bloody husband, because of the circumcision, and partly because of her great joy on occasion of her husband's restoration to her by this means.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
So he let him go - i. e. God withdrew His visitation from Moses.
Moses sent Zipporah and her children back to Jethro before he went to Egypt, Exodus 18:2. The journey would have been delayed had he waited for the healing of the child.
