Kwon:
I will briefly comment on your quotation from Wikipedia, but you would in
fact be far better off addressing these questions to Kenneth Greifer.
1. “In Hebrew, the word “feet” is used as a euphemism for the word “
genitals.” Very few translators chose to use the word “genitals” in their
interpretation, so it's not clear what Zipporah touched with the bloody
foreskin.”
That’s true. In the Book of Ruth, Ruth uncovers the “feet” of Boaz all
night. Boaz likes that so very, very much that the very next day he insists
on marrying her.
2. “The Hebrew for “bridegroom of blood” written as “hatan damim,” is
derived from a Semitic root verb which means “perform marriage.” In the
Arabic language this phrase is linked to Hebrew, but means “perform circum
cision.” In ancient Akkadian language related to Arabic and Aramaic/Hebrew,
this phrase means ‘to protect’.”
In my opinion, Arabic and Aramaic have nothing to do with anything here.
I see Zipporah as being an ethnic Hurrian from the Late Bronze Age Hurrian
state of Mitanni/MDYN in eastern Syria, who has been following the Kassite
way of abhorring circumcision.
3. “Zipporah was a Midian woman. Midian was in the northwestern region of
the present day Saudi Arabia where Arabic is spoken. However, in Zipporah
‘s day, Akkadian was spoken. Some claims[1] (with no further references in
it) that, in the ancient Akkadian
language, casting the foreskin meant “to protect.” So “You are a
bridegroom of blood,” can also mean, ‘This blood will protect you’.”
See my answer to #2 above. In my opinion, Arabia, Arabic and Aramaic have
nothing to do with Zipporah or anything else here.
* * *
On this thread, Kenneth Greifer is exploring possible non-traditional
explanations of this ambiguous story. He’s the one to consult.
Jim Stinehart
Evanston, Illinois
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