zi - pō´ra , zip´ṓ - ra ( צפּרה , cippōrāh ; Σεπφώρα , Sepphṓra ): The Midianite wife of Moses, daughter of Jethro, also called Hobab, and probably grand-daughter of Reuel, a priest of Midian at the time Moses fled from Egypt, later succeeded at his death by Jethro, or Hobab ( Exodus 2:21 , Exodus 2:22; Exodus 4:25 , Exodus 4:26; Exodus 18:2-6 ).
Whether or not Zipporah was the "Cushite woman" (Numbers 12:1 ) is a much-mooted question. There is little ground for anything more than speculation on the subject. The use of the words, "Cushite woman" in the mouth of Aaron and Miriam may have been merely a description of Zipporah and intended to be opprobrious, or they may have been ethnic in character and intended to denote another woman whom Moses had married, as suggested by Ewald (Gesch. des Volkes Israel , II, 252). The former view seems the more probable. The association of Midian and Cushan by Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:7 ) more than 700 years afterward may hardly be adduced to prove like close relationship between these peoples in the days of Moses.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
But as with any writings of men, the careful student of the Bible must always compare them with Scripture. As you use this helpful study resource, remember that only God's word is pure.
Read More