4:25 flint. Presumably, a ceremonial instrument. Zipporah intervenes to circumcise her son.

Moses’ feet. Lit. “his feet”; the word “Moses’ ” is supplied (cf. 24 note). The connection of Zipporah’s action with the “bridegroom of blood” is uncertain. Circumcision, no less than the Passover, requires the shedding of blood for cleansing and protection. The Lord, the God of the fathers, requires the sign He gave to Abraham (Gen. 17:10). Other examples of divine confrontation at the beginning of a mission include Gen. 32:24 and Josh. 5:13.