Sepphora is a Greek form of Zipporah, the wife of Moses in the Old Testament.
Etymology
The name Sepphora derives from the Hebrew name Zipporah (צִפּוֹרָה, Tsippora), which comes from the Hebrew word tsippor meaning "bird." The Greek adaptation rendered the name as Σεπφώρα (Sepphora), which later influenced forms in other languages, such as French Séphora and the Latinized Seffora.
Biblical Context
In the Book of Exodus, Zipporah is the daughter of the Midianite priest Jethro. She marries Moses after he fled Egypt and helped her and her sisters water their flocks. Zipporah is notably the mother of Moses' sons, Gershom and Eliezer. A famous episode describes how she circumcised their son to avert an attack from God (Exodus 4:24-26), demonstrating her decisive role.
Usage and Variants
Sepphora appears in ancient Greek translations of the Hebrew Bible, such as the Septuagint. While the original Hebrew name Zipporah has been used by Jewish communities throughout history, the Greek form Sepphora and its variants have been adopted primarily in Christian contexts, especially in Greek-speaking areas. Related forms include Tzippora, Tziporah, and Tzipora in modern Hebrew.
- Meaning: Bird
- Origin: Greek adaptation of Hebrew Zipporah
- Type: First name
- Usage: Greek Bible, Christian communities