Moses’ wife is traditionally identified as Zipporah , the daughter of Jethro (also called Reuel), the priest of Midian, mentioned in the book of Exodus.

Who was Moses’ wife?

The Bible says that when Moses fled from Egypt, he went to the land of Midian, where he defended the daughters of a local priest at a well.

That priest, named Jethro or Reuel, then invited Moses to stay with him and “gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage” (Exodus 2:21).

Key points about Zipporah:

  • She was a Midianite woman, daughter of a priest of Midian.
  • Her marriage to Moses linked him into a new family and provided stability while he lived in Midian before returning to Egypt.
  • She appears in a dramatic episode in Exodus 4:24–26, where she quickly circumcises their son to avert a life‑threatening situation involving Moses, showing her decisive and protective role.

So, in simple terms:

  • Moses’ wife = Zipporah, the Midianite, daughter of Jethro/Reuel.

What about the “Kushite woman”?

There is one verse that sparks discussion: Numbers 12:1 says that Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses “because of the Kushite woman whom he had married.”

From this, two main views arise:

  1. Same woman, different description
    • Some Jewish and Christian interpreters argue that the “Kushite woman” is still Zipporah, described with a different term.
 * In this view, “Kushite” might be metaphorical (praising her uniqueness or beauty) or reflect a broader or shifting use of ethnic names in the ancient world.
  1. Two different wives
    • Others think Moses may have had two wives : Zipporah the Midianite and another woman from Cush (often associated with Ethiopia or Nubia).
 * Later traditions even give a name like **Tharbis** to this Cushite wife, though this comes from post‑biblical stories, not from the Bible itself.

Most mainstream introductions and church/bible resources, when answering “who was Moses’ wife?”, focus on Zipporah as the primary and clearly named wife.

Mini FAQ

Did Moses have more than one wife?

  • The Bible clearly names only Zipporah as his wife.
  • Numbers 12:1 about the “Kushite woman” has led some scholars and traditions to suggest a second wife, but this is debated and not explicit in the text.

Why is Zipporah important?

  • She represents a non-Israelite (a Midianite) closely tied to Israel’s leader, raising themes of intercultural marriage and inclusion.
  • Her quick action in Exodus 4:24–26 portrays her as brave and spiritually perceptive, even though she appears only a few times.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.