Tzipora is mentioned in the Book of Exodus as one of the seven daughters of Jethro a shepherd who was a priest of Midian.

Moses had killed an Egyptian who was striking a Hebrew, for which offense the Pharaoh sought to kill Moses.

Moses therefore fled from Egypt to Midian. One day while Moses sat by a well, Jethro’s daughters came to water their father’s flocks.

Other shepherds arrived and drove the girls away. Moses defended the girls and watered their flock.

Upon their return home and hearing the story, Jethro invited Moses for supper to break bread. Moses stayed and lived with the Midianite and his family.

Jethro gave Moses his daughter Tzipora in marriage and she gave birth to Gershom and then to Eliezer.

Moses returned to Egypt with his wife and sons. They stayed in an inn, where a mysterious and much-debated incident that features Tzipora took place.

The Bible describes that God came to kill Moses (Exodus 4:24-27). Tzipora quickly circumcised Gershom with a sharp stone and touched Moses’ feet with it, saying “You are a husband of blood!” (Exodus 4:26.) thus saving his life.

He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.'” (Genesis 17:10-14)