The biblical narrative in Exodus 4:24-26 recounts a perplexing incident where the divine was poised to take Moses’ life. This event occurs abruptly during Moses’ journey back to Egypt, after receiving his commission to liberate the Israelites. The passage is brief and somewhat ambiguous, centering on a threat against Moses and its subsequent resolution through Zipporah’s act of circumcising their son.
Interpretations of this passage vary considerably. A prevalent understanding connects the near-fatal encounter to the neglect of circumcision, a covenant sign between God and Abraham’s descendants. Maintaining this covenant was paramount, and the omission of circumcising Moses’ son constituted a serious offense. The act of Zipporah performing the circumcision and touching Moses’ feet with the foreskin seemingly appeased the divine anger. This interpretation underscores the significance of adhering to religious obligations within the context of the covenant.