The Bible provides details about Moses’ family, including his wife and children. Based on the biblical accounts, it is clear that Moses did have children.
Moses’ Wife
Moses married a Midianite woman named Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro (also called Reuel), a priest of Midian (Exodus 2:16-22). After God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Zipporah and their sons went with him back to Egypt (Exodus 4:20). Later, after the exodus from Egypt, Moses sent Zipporah and their sons back to Midian to stay with Jethro while he led the Israelites through the wilderness (Exodus 18:2-5).
Moses’ Sons
The Bible names two sons born to Moses and Zipporah:
- Gershom – His name means “a stranger there” because Moses said he was a stranger in a foreign land (Exodus 2:22).
- Eliezer – His name means “God is my help” because Moses said God helped him and delivered him from Pharaoh’s sword (Exodus 18:4).
These two sons are specifically named and acknowledged as Moses’ offspring. When Jethro brought Zipporah and Moses’ sons back to him after the exodus, the Bible says “Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God” (Exodus 18:5). This confirms Gershom and Eliezer were Moses’ children.
Possibly More Children
Some scholars believe Moses and Zipporah may have had more children than just Gershom and Eliezer based on a few passages:
- Exodus 4:20 – “So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey…” – Sons is plural, possibly implying more than 2 sons.
- Exodus 18:6 – “And when one told Moses, “Your father-in-law Jethro is coming to you with your wife and her children…”” – Children is plural, possibly implying more than just Gershom and Eliezer.
- Numbers 12:1 – Reference is made to Moses marrying a Cushite woman. Some believe this may refer to a second wife after Zipporah’s death, who may have borne him more children.
However, these passages are not definitive, so we can only speculate. The Bible does not name any other children of Moses beyond Gershom and Eliezer.
Gershom and Eliezer
Though information is limited, here are some key facts the Bible provides about Moses’ two known sons:
Gershom
- Firstborn son of Moses (Exodus 2:22)
- Name means “a stranger there”
- Born during Moses’ time living in Midian
- Went with Zipporah to join Moses after the exodus at Mount Sinai (Exodus 18:3)
Eliezer
- Second son born to Moses
- Name means “God is my help”
- Possibly born after Moses returned to Egypt
- Brought by Jethro to Moses after the exodus (Exodus 18:4)
- No other biographical details given
Though information about Gershom and Eliezer is limited, they clearly were sons and heirs of Moses who accompanied him on his journeys. Beyond these two, the Bible gives no definitive evidence that Moses had other children.
Moses’ Closing Years and Death
In the closing chapters of Deuteronomy, Moses’ life is summarized:
- Moses was 120 years old when he died, but his vigor was undiminished (Deuteronomy 34:7).
- He died alone on Mount Nebo after God showed him the promised land he was not allowed to enter (Deuteronomy 34:1-5).
- God Himself buried Moses in the valley in Moab opposite Beth Peor, and no one knows the place of his burial (Deuteronomy 34:6).
As the chapter closes, the Israelites mourned for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days before Joshua took over leadership and brought them into Canaan (Deuteronomy 34:8-12).
This account does not give any information about what became of Moses’ sons or descendants. All focus is on Moses’ role as leader and the transition of leadership to Joshua after his death.
Clues About Moses’ Sons After His Death
Though Scripture gives no account of Gershom and Eliezer’s lives after Moses’ death, there are some clues:
- Moses’ grandsons Shebuel and Gershom are named as treasurers for the tabernacle during the time of David (1 Chronicles 23:14-16).
- A grandson (Rehabiah) and a great-grandson (Shelomith) are mentioned as Levites during David’s reign (1 Chronicles 24:21, 26:25-26).
- The priestly line descending from Moses is mentioned in several books of the Bible all the way until the Babylonian exile (see Exodus 6:13-25; 1 Chronicles 6:1-3; Ezra 7:1-5).
This evidence implies that Moses’ family continued on for many generations, even being entrusted with tabernacle service and other priestly duties. Though Scripture does not provide complete genealogical records, Moses had living descendants hundreds of years after his death.
Key Conclusions
To summarize the biblical evidence related to Moses’ offspring:
- Moses had at least two sons named Gershom and Eliezer through his wife Zipporah.
- He may have had additional unnamed children with Zipporah or another wife.
- His sons accompanied him on his journeys but Scripture records little about their lives.
- Indirect evidence shows Moses had many descendants active over the next several centuries.
- Beyond Gershom and Eliezer, the Bible never directly names any other children of Moses.
The evidence clearly confirms that Moses did have children and a lasting family legacy. However, details about his family and descendants are relatively sparse compared to accounts of his life and leadership calling. The biblical focus remains fixed on Moses’ integral role in the exodus and God’s covenant with Israel.
Nevertheless, the inclusion of Moses’ marriage, children, and priestly lineage demonstrates God’s faithfulness. Even as He called Moses to lead Israel, God blessed him on a personal level through family. Though called to service, Moses embraced the roles of husband and father along his journey. His lasting legacy was passed down through his offspring for generations after his death.