Moses
The name Moses appears in the Book of Exodus with a folk etymology explaining its meaning. Pharaoh's daughter named him saying she drew him out of the water. This explanation links the Hebrew word to the root meaning to draw out. Linguist Abraham Yahuda argued the spelling combines water or seed and pond yielding child of the Nile. The Egyptian root mose has been considered as a possible etymology. It arguably serves as an abbreviation of a theophoric name with the god's name omitted. The suffix mose appears in Egyptian pharaohs' names like Thutmose born of Thoth and Ramose born of Ra. One of the Egyptian names of Ramesses meant born of Ra beloved of Amon. Ms by itself also has multiple attestations as an Egyptian personal name in the New Kingdom. Kenneth Kitchen argues that the Hebrew etymology is most likely correct because the sounds do not match Egyptian pronunciation in the relevant time period. He states the sibilants do not match as they should and this cannot be explained away. Overwhelmingly Egyptian s appears as samekh in Hebrew while Hebrew s appears as tj in Egyptian. It is better to admit the child was named by his own mother in a form originally vocalized Mashu one drawn out. In fourteenth thirteenth century Egypt Mose was actually pronounced Masu so it is perfectly possible a young Hebrew Mashu was nicknamed Masu by his Egyptian companions. This remains a verbal pun rather than a borrowing either way.
Moses was born when Pharaoh ordered all newborn Hebrew boys to be killed to reduce the population of Israelites. His mother Jochebed hid him in bulrushes along the Nile river. Pharaoh's daughter discovered the infant there and adopted him as a foundling. Thus he grew up with the Egyptian royal family. After killing an Egyptian slave master who was beating a Hebrew Moses fled across the Red Sea to Midian. There he encountered the Angel of the Lord speaking from within a burning bush on Mount Horeb. God sent Moses back to Egypt to demand release of Israelites from slavery. Moses said he could not speak eloquently so God allowed Aaron his elder brother to become his spokesperson. After the Ten Plagues Moses led Exodus of Israelites out of Egypt and across Red Sea. They based themselves at Mount Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments. After 40 years of wandering in desert Moses died on Mount Nebo at age 120 within sight of Promised Land. During journey God tried to kill Moses for failing to circumcise son but Zipporah saved life. Moses returned to carry out God command but God enabled Pharaoh to refuse. Only after God subjected Egypt to ten plagues did Pharaoh relent. God hardened Pharaoh heart once more so that he could destroy Pharaoh and army at Red Sea Crossing as sign of power to Israel and nations.
Scholars hold different opinions on historicity of Moses. William G. Dever states modern scholarly consensus is biblical person largely mythical while holding possibility Moses like figure existed somewhere in southern Transjordan mid to late thirteenth century BCE. Archaeology can do nothing to prove or disprove either way. Jan Assmann argues it cannot be known if Moses ever lived because no traces exist outside tradition. No references to Moses appear in any Egyptian sources prior to fourth century BCE long after believed time of living. David Adams Leeming states Moses is mythic hero and central figure in Hebrew mythology. The Oxford Companion to Bible states historicity is most reasonable assumption though not unbiased. Absence would leave vacuum unexplainable away. Solomon Nigosian notes three prevailing views among scholars: one says not historical another anchors decisive role played third argues elements both history and legend. These issues remain hotly debated unresolved matters among scholars. Brian Britt points out divide threatens gridlock. Official Torah commentary for Conservative Judaism calls him folkloristic national hero regardless of existence. Jean Louis Ska argues texts written during Exile first half sixth century BCE testify to tension between people Judah and returning post exilic Jews. Martin Noth argued Pentateuch uses figure originally linked to legends Transjordan conquest as narrative bracket welding together four five themes. Rudolf Smend suggests two details likely historical are name of Egyptian origin and marriage to Midianite woman.
Non biblical writings about Jews referencing Moses appear beginning Hellenistic period 323 BCE to about 146 BCE. Shmuel notes characteristic high honor held peoples East generally and specific groups. Non Jewish historians including Hecataeus Abdera quoted by Diodorus Siculus Alexander Polyhistor Manetho Apion Chaeremon Alexandria Tacitus Porphyry make reference. Extent any accounts rely on earlier sources unknown. Hecataeus describes Moses wise courageous leader who left Egypt colonized Judaea. He founded cities established temple religious cult issued laws. Strabo Greek historian geographer philosopher wrote detail about Moses in Geographica circa 24 CE. He considered Egyptian deplored situation homeland attracting followers respecting deity. Strabo opposed picturing deity form man animal convinced entity encompassed everything land sea. His positive unequivocal appreciation personality among most sympathetic all ancient literature. Jan Assmann concludes Strabo came closest construction religion monotheistic pronounced counter religion recognizing only one divine being image cannot represent. Only way approach god live virtue justice. Roman historian Tacitus circa 56 120 CE refers noting Jewish religion monotheistic clear image. His primary work Histories states despite various opinions current day regarding ethnicity most sources agreement Exodus from Egypt. Pharaoh Bocchoris suffering plague banished Jews response oracle god Zeus Amun. In version Moses Jews wander desert six days capturing Holy Land seventh.
Moses mentioned more Quran than any other individual life narrated recounted more Islamic prophet. Characterized ways parallel Muhammad defined both prophet messenger latter term indicating brought book law people. Key events found dispersed different chapters suwar Quran story meeting Khidr not Bible. Jochebed commanded place coffin cast waters Nile abandoning completely God protection. Pharaoh wife Asiya found floating waters convinced keep son blessed children. Emphasizes mission invite Pharaoh accept divine message salvation Israelites. Encourages entering Canaan unwilling fight fearing certain defeat. Pledges Allah separated rebellious Israelites made wander 40 years. One hadith describes meeting heaven between Moses Muhammad resulting Muslims observing five daily prayers. Huston Smith calls crucial event Muhammad life. Most known Bible comes books Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy. Majority scholars consider compilation Persian period 538 332 BCE earlier written oral traditions. Wealth stories additional information Jewish apocrypha rabbinical exegesis Midrash primary works oral law Mishnah Talmud. Given number bynames Jewish tradition identifies seven biblical personalities called various names. Jekuthiel Heber Jered Avi Zanoah Avi Gedor Avi Soco Shemaiah ben Nethanel Toviah Levi Heman Mechoqeiq Ehl Gav Ish. Orthodox view received Torah revealed hidden teachings giving Judaism Zohar Rashbi Torah Ari haQadosh Heavenly Yeshiva Ramhal masters.
Moses metaphorical sense Christian tradition referred leader delivers people terrible situation. Presidents United States known used symbolism Harry Truman Jimmy Carter Ronald Reagan Bill Clinton George W Bush Barack Obama. Obama referred supporters Moses generation. Theologians linked Ten Commandments formation early democracy. Scottish theologian William Barclay described universal foundation things law nationhood impossible society founded upon it. Pope Francis addressed US Congress 2015 stating all people keep alive unity means just legislation figure leads directly God transcendent dignity human being. Pilgrims relied story give meaning hope lives seeking religious personal freedom North America. John Carver first governor Plymouth Colony signer Mayflower Compact wrote 1620 ship three month voyage. Inspired sense earthly grandeur divine purpose historian Jon Meacham notes called Moses Pilgrims. William Bradford made governor following year feared remaining would not survive hardships new land half people died months arriving. Evoked symbol weakened desperate calm hope. Violence break meek humble spirit Dever explains attitude considered New Israel particularly America knew believed valued manifest destiny. the 4th of July 1776 Continental Congress asked John Adams Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin design seal represent symbol new United States chose leading Israelites freedom. After death George Washington 1799 two thirds eulogies referred America's Moses one orator saying same us Children Israel.
Moses appears Christian art Pope private chapel Sistine Chapel large sequence six frescos life southern wall opposite set Life Christ painted 1481 82 group mostly Florentine artists Sandro Botticelli Pietro Perugino. Ambiguity Hebrew word kerem meaning horn ray beam Jerome Latin Vulgate translation face described horned descending Mount Sinai tablets usually shown Western art Renaissance small horns convenient identifying attribute. At least some depictions antisemitic meaning likely intended Hereford Mappa Mundi. With prophet Elijah necessary figure Transfiguration Jesus Christian art subject long history Eastern Orthodox art appears Western Church tenth century especially popular between 1475 1535. Michelangelo statue 1513 1515 Church San Pietro Vincoli Rome familiar statues world. Horns sculptor included result mistranslation Hebrew Bible into Latin Vulgate Bible familiar. Experts Archaeological Institute America show term used returned people seeing much Glory Lord human eye stand reflected radiance. Early Jewish art often shown rays coming head. Library Congress stands large statue alongside Paul Apostle. Twenty three lawgivers depicted marble bas reliefs chamber US House Representatives United States Capitol plaque overview states transformed wandering people nation received Ten Commandments. Other 22 figures profiles turned forward facing bas relief. Appears eight times carvings ring Supreme Court Great Hall ceiling face presented ancient figures Solomon Greek god Zeus Roman goddess wisdom Minerva. East pediment depicts holding two tablets Tablets representing Ten Commandments found carved oak courtroom doors support frame bronze gates library woodwork. Controversial image sits directly above Chief Justice United States head center Spanish marble carving tablet displaying Roman numerals I through X numbers partially hidden.
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Common questions
What is the etymology of the name Moses according to the Book of Exodus?
The name Moses appears in the Book of Exodus with a folk etymology explaining its meaning as drawn out from water by Pharaoh's daughter. Linguist Abraham Yahuda argued the spelling combines water or seed and pond yielding child of the Nile.
When did Moses die and how old was he at death?
Moses died on Mount Nebo at age 120 within sight of Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in desert following the Ten Plagues and Red Sea Crossing.
Who are the scholars that question the historicity of Moses?
Scholars including William G. Dever, Jan Assmann, David Adams Leeming, Solomon Nigosian, Brian Britt, Jean Louis Ska, Martin Noth, and Rudolf Smend hold different opinions on historicity of Moses. Some state modern scholarly consensus is biblical person largely mythical while holding possibility Moses like figure existed somewhere in southern Transjordan mid to late thirteenth century BCE.
Which non biblical writers referenced Moses during Hellenistic period?
Non Jewish historians including Hecataeus Abdera quoted by Diodorus Siculus Alexander Polyhistor Manetho Apion Chaeremon Alexandria Tacitus Porphyry make reference beginning Hellenistic period 323 BCE to about 146 BCE. Strabo Greek historian geographer philosopher wrote detail about Moses in Geographica circa 24 CE.
How many times does Moses appear in the Quran compared to other prophets?
Moses appears more Quran than any other individual life narrated recounted more Islamic prophet with key events found dispersed different chapters suwar Quran story meeting Khidr not Bible.