Cushite

He afterwards formed a close and permanent alliance with this family by marrying one of the daughters, Zipporah, "a little bird," called a Cushite or

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

Ethiopian properly "Cushite," (Jeremiah 13: 23) used of Zerah, (2

Smith's Bible Dictionary 1884

"But it is _equally_ certain, as we have seen, that the term 'Cushite' is applied in Scripture to other branches of the same family; as, for instance, to the Midianites, from whom Moses selected his wife, and who could not have been Negroes.

History of the Negro Race in America From 1619 to 1880. Vol 1 Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens George W. Williams 1870

Just as everyone speaks of the blackness of the Cushite, so do all proclaim the beauty of Zipporah (Tanhuma, Zav 13).

Zipporah: Midrash and Aggadah. 2009

They then ask why she was called the “Cushite woman,” since she was a Midianite.

Zipporah: Midrash and Aggadah. 2009

The Rabbis maintain that the Cushite woman was Zipporah and that the word “Cushite” describes her fine qualities (her beauty and her actions).

Miriam: Midrash and Aggadah. 2009

The topic of the Cushite woman raised considerable difficulties for the Rabbis, since the Torah does not state that Moses took another wife, nor does it speak of additional children that she bore him.

Miriam: Midrash and Aggadah. 2009

Zipporah, in contrast, was a Cushite in her poverty and a Cushite with regal status.

Zipporah: Midrash and Aggadah. 2009

Num. 12: 1 attests: “Miriam and Aaron spoke [va-tedaber] against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married.”

Miriam: Midrash and Aggadah. 2009

They relate to the content of her statements; the connection between her criticism of the Cushite woman and what she says about the special standing enjoyed by Moses; and her motivation for speaking in this manner.

Miriam: Midrash and Aggadah. 2009