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[[File:Prophet Moses.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The prophet Moses declared in the book of [[Leviticus]]: "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." See: [[Homosexuality]] ]]

[[File:Prophet Moses.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The prophet Moses declared in the book of [[Leviticus]]: "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." See: [[Homosexuality]] ]]

'''Moses''' ([[Hebrew]]: '''מֹשֶׁה''', ''Mōšeh''; [[Arab|Arabic]]: '''موسىٰ''', ''Mūsā''; Ge'ez: '''ሙሴ''', ''Musse'', drawn out) (7 Adar 2433 AM&ndash;m. 2473 AM&ndash;7 Adar 2553 AM) (18 February 1571&ndash;m. 1532&ndash;13 March 1451 BC)<ref name=Jones>Jones, Floyd N. ''The Chronology of the Old Testament'', Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2004, Chart 4</ref> was the [[prophet]], legislator, [[Judge (biblical)|judge]], and leader of the [[Israel]]ites from the [[Exodus of Israel]] from slavery in [[Egypt]] to the doorstep of [[Canaan (land)|Canaan]]. He is best known for leading the Israelites out of Egypt, and for bringing the [[Ten Commandments]] down from [[Mount Sinai]]. He is also credited with writing most of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the modern [[Bible]]) ca. 1491-1451 BC.

'''Moses''' ([[Hebrew]]: '''מֹשֶׁה''', ''Mōšeh''; [[Arab|Arabic]]: '''موسىٰ''', ''Mūsā''; Ge'ez: '''ሙሴ''', ''Musse'', drawn out) (7 Adar 2433 AM&ndash;m. 2473 AM&ndash;7 Adar 2553 AM) (18 February 1571&ndash;m. 1532&ndash;13 March 1451 BC)<ref name=Jones>Jones, Floyd N. ''The Chronology of the Old Testament'', Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2004, Chart 4</ref> was the [[prophet]], legislator, [[Judge (biblical)|judge]], and leader of the [[Israel]]ites from the [[Exodus of Israel]] from slavery in [[Egypt]] to the doorstep of [[Canaan (land)|Canaan]]. He is best known for leading the Israelites out of Egypt, and for bringing the [[Ten Commandments]] down from [[Mount Sinai]]. He is also credited with writing most of the [[Pentateuch]] (the first five books of the modern [[Bible]]) ca. 1491-1451 BC.

== Life and family ==

== Life and family ==

Moses is highly esteemed as a prophet by the [[Jew]]s, [[Christian]]s, [[Muslim]]s, [[Mormon]]s, and [[Baha'i]]. Moses's call as a prophet is recorded in {{bible ref|book=Exodus|chap=3}}.

Moses is highly esteemed as a prophet by the [[Jew]]s, [[Christian]]s, [[Muslim]]s, [[Mormon]]s, and [[Baha'i]]. Moses's call as a prophet is recorded in {{bible ref|book=Exodus|chap=3}}.

=== Prince ===

=== Prince ===

In 2433 AM (1572/1 BC), the [[Pharaoh]] of [[Egypt]] had ordered that every male newborn Hebrew be thrown into the Nile. When Moses was born, his parents hid him for three months. But they knew that they could not hide him forever. So Jochebed, Moses' mother, took a wicker basket, coated it with tar and pitch, placed Moses into it, and set the basket adrift in the Nile. Miriam followed the basket to see where the river current might take it.

In 2433 AM (1572/1 BC), the [[Pharaoh]] of [[Egypt]] had ordered that every male newborn [[Hebrew]] be thrown into the [[Nile]]. When Moses was born, his parents hid him for three months. But they knew that they could not hide him forever. So Jochebed, Moses' mother, took a wicker basket, coated it with tar and pitch, placed Moses into it, and set the basket adrift in the Nile. Miriam followed the basket to see where the river current might take it.

The basket drifted into the private bathing beach of the Pharaoh's daughter. She took the basket out of the river, found a baby boy inside, and decided to raise him as her own son. Then Miriam stepped forward and offered to find a nurse for the boy. The princess agreed, and Miriam then arranged for Jochebed to nurse her own son. The Pharaoh's daughter gave the boy the name of Moses, which means "drawn out," because she had drawn him out of the water.

The basket drifted into the private bathing beach of the Pharaoh's daughter. She took the basket out of the river, found a baby boy inside, and decided to raise him as her own son. Then Miriam stepped forward and offered to find a nurse for the boy. The princess agreed, and Miriam then arranged for Jochebed to nurse her own son. The Pharaoh's daughter gave the boy the name of Moses, which means "drawn out," because she had drawn him out of the water.

Thus Moses grew up as a prince of Egypt. In fact, [[Flavius Josephus]] suggests that Moses commanded Egyptian troops and led them to victory against the forces of neighboring [[Ethiopia]].<ref name=Josephus2>Josephus, ''Antiquities'' 2.10</ref> According to that account, the Ethiopians were raiding the Egyptians, and the Pharaoh ordered Moses to lead an army to stop the raiders once and for all. Moses then used a remarkable tactic to take the Ethiopians by surprise. The Ethiopians were expecting Moses to attack by marching along the river, rather than by land, because the land between the two armies was so thick with snakes that it was impassable. For that very reason, Moses was determined to march over land. He ordered his artificers to construct cages and to carry [[ibis]] birds (a sacred bird in Egypt) with them. The ibis is a natural enemy of snakes, and so they scattered the snakes, and the army was safe. Thus the army crossed the land, surprised the enemy, and defeated them.

Thus Moses grew up as a prince of Egypt. In fact, [[Flavius Josephus]] suggests that Moses commanded Egyptian troops and led them to victory against the forces of neighboring [[Ethiopia]].<ref name=Josephus2>Josephus, ''Antiquities'' 2.10</ref> According to that account, the Ethiopians were raiding the Egyptians, and the Pharaoh ordered Moses to lead an army to stop the raiders once and for all. Moses then used a remarkable tactic to take the Ethiopians by surprise. The Ethiopians were expecting Moses to attack by marching along the river, rather than by land, because the land between the two armies was so thick with snakes that it was impassable. For that very reason, Moses was determined to march over land. He ordered his artificers to construct cages and to carry ibis birds (a sacred bird in Egypt) with them. The ibis is a natural enemy of snakes, and so they scattered the snakes, and the army was safe. Thus the army crossed the land, surprised the enemy, and defeated them.

 

But Josephus goes on to suggest that Moses had to flee Egypt because a rival prince had hatched a plot to kill him in order to remove him as a rival for the throne. This contradicts the [[Bible]], which says that Moses had to flee because he killed an Egyptian, and Pharaoh found out about it.

But Josephus goes on to suggest that Moses had to flee Egypt because a rival prince had hatched a plot to kill him in order to remove him as a rival for the throne. This contradicts the [[Bible]], which says that Moses had to flee because he killed an Egyptian, and Pharaoh found out about it.

==== Exodus ====

==== Exodus ====

Moses and Aaron initially came in peace to Pharaoh, and asked his leave to lead the Israelites into the desert for a three-day period. Pharaoh indignantly refused, and then issued an order that the Israelites would have to gather their own straw to make bricks, and still make the same quota of bricks. This caused the Israelites to look on Moses with extreme disfavor. This was probably the lowest point ever in Moses' life.

Moses and Aaron initially came in peace to Pharaoh, and asked his leave to lead the Israelites into the desert for a three-day period. Pharaoh indignantly refused, and then issued an order that the Israelites would have to gather their own straw to make bricks, and still make the same quota of bricks. This caused the Israelites to look on Moses with extreme disfavor. This was probably the lowest point ever in Moses' life.

==== The Red Sea ====

==== The Red Sea ====

Six days after the Exodus began, the Israelites were camped next to the Red Sea, and they realized that the Egyptians were now pursuing them. Moses raised his staff, and the waters of the Red Sea parted and left a dry seabed for the Israelites to walk on. After the Israelites had walked across, the Egyptians also entered the seabed to continue their pursuit. Moses raised his staff again, and the waters closed over the army and drowned every last man.

Six days after the Exodus began, the Israelites were camped next to the [[Red Sea]], and they realized that the Egyptians were now pursuing them. Moses raised his staff, and the waters of the Red Sea parted and left a dry seabed for the Israelites to walk on. After the Israelites had walked across, the Egyptians also entered the seabed to continue their pursuit. Moses raised his staff again, and the waters closed over the army and drowned every last man.

==== The wilderness journey ====

==== The wilderness journey ====

Moses continued to lead the people of Israel for forty years. In that time he equipped and trained an army, handed down judgments, and repeatedly judged the people of Israel for their [[sin]].

Moses continued to lead the people of Israel for forty years. In that time he equipped and trained an army, handed down judgments, and repeatedly judged the people of Israel for their [[sin]].

 

The most significant events during those forty years included:

The most significant events during those forty years included:

# Repeated "murmurings" of hardship, and the miraculous provision of [[manna]] and [[quail]].

# Repeated "murmurings" of hardship, and the miraculous provision of [[manna]] and quail.

# A battle with [[Amalek]]ites, in which [[Aaron]] and [[Hur]] held up Moses' arms so that he could continue to call God's blessing on the nascent Israelite army, under the command of [[Joshua (Biblical leader)|Joshua]].

# A battle with [[Amalekites]], in which [[Aaron]] and [[Hur]] held up Moses' arms so that he could continue to call God's blessing on the nascent Israelite army, under the command of [[Joshua (Biblical leader)|Joshua]].

# The reception of the [[Ten Commandments]] on stone tablets inscribed by God Himself.

# The reception of the [[Ten Commandments]] on stone tablets inscribed by God Himself.

# The disgraceful incident of the [[Golden Calf]].

# The disgraceful incident of the [[Golden Calf]].

# The construction of the [[Tabernacle]] and its furnishings, including the [[Ark of the Covenant]].

# The construction of the [[Tabernacle]] and its furnishings, including the [[Ark of the Covenant]].

# The "strange fire" incident in which [[Nadab (son of Aaron|Nadab]] and [[Abihu]] died.

# The "strange fire" incident in which Nadab and [[Abihu]] died.

# The first census.

# The first census.

# The spy expedition, the bad report, and God's edict that no adult of that generation would survive to enter the Promised Land except [[Caleb]] and [[Joshua]], the only two spies to keep the faith.

# The spy expedition, the bad report, and God's edict that no adult of that generation would survive to enter the Promised Land except [[Caleb]] and [[Joshua]], the only two spies to keep the faith.

# Two incidents in which Moses drew water from rocks.

# Two incidents in which Moses drew water from rocks.

# The mutiny of [[Korah]], [[Dathan]], and [[Abiram]].

# The mutiny of [[Korah]], Dathan, and Abiram.

# The deaths of [[Miriam]] and [[Aaron]].

# The deaths of [[Miriam]] and [[Aaron]].

# The initial conquests, including that of [[Heshbon]], and the incident involving [[Balaam]] and King [[Balak]].

# The initial conquests, including that of Heshbon, and the incident involving [[Balaam]] and King Balak.

# The disgrace of Israel with the women of [[Moab]], and how [[Phinehas]] distinguished himself in his zeal by summarily executing an Israelite and his [[Midian]]ite concubine, and then leading 12,000 Israelites to victory in the Battle of Midian later that year.

# The disgrace of Israel with the women of [[Moab]], and how [[Phinehas]] distinguished himself in his zeal by summarily executing an Israelite and his [[Midian]]ite concubine, and then leading 12,000 Israelites to victory in the Battle of Midian later that year.

# The second census.

# The second census.

The Amalekite battle was the first battle of the army of Israel, which of course was untested and consisted of soldiers who, a short while before, had been slaves. Moses sent these untested recruits, under the command of [[Joshua (Biblical leader)|Joshua]], against [[Amalek]]ite raiders who had been attacking the stragglers among the Israelites. To ensure victory, Moses stood on a high hill and held up his rod. When he could not hold up his rod indefinitely, Aaron and Hur stood to either side of him, and each man held up one of Moses' arms. Thus Moses kept his rod held high, and the Israelites won.

The Amalekite battle was the first battle of the army of Israel, which of course was untested and consisted of soldiers who, a short while before, had been slaves. Moses sent these untested recruits, under the command of [[Joshua (Biblical leader)|Joshua]], against Amalekite raiders who had been attacking the stragglers among the Israelites. To ensure victory, Moses stood on a high hill and held up his rod. When he could not hold up his rod indefinitely, Aaron and Hur stood to either side of him, and each man held up one of Moses' arms. Thus Moses kept his rod held high, and the Israelites won.

The [[Golden Calf]] incident was the low point of the wilderness journey, lower even than the [[Korah]] Mutiny or the bad report of the spies. When [[God]] had finished dictating to Moses the Ten Commandments and the instructions for the [[Tabernacle]], He then told Moses to descend immediately, because the people had "corrupted themselves." God then said that he would make a new nation based on Moses. Moses begged God not to do this, and even said that God should kill him, too, if He were so determined. Nevertheless, Moses was furious with the people and would ultimately execute three thousand of them in that episode. Because only the [[Levi (tribe)|Levites]] came to his aid when he called for it, the Levites, from that day to this, took exclusive possession of all sacerdotal duty and responsibility in [[Jew]]ish life.

The [[Golden Calf]] incident was the low point of the wilderness journey, lower even than the [[Korah]] Mutiny or the bad report of the spies. When [[God]] had finished dictating to Moses the Ten Commandments and the instructions for the [[Tabernacle]], He then told Moses to descend immediately, because the people had "corrupted themselves." God then said that he would make a new nation based on Moses. Moses begged God not to do this, and even said that God should kill him, too, if He were so determined. Nevertheless, Moses was furious with the people and would ultimately execute three thousand of them in that episode. Because only the [[Levi (tribe)|Levites]] came to his aid when he called for it, the Levites, from that day to this, took exclusive possession of all sacerdotal duty and responsibility in [[Jew]]ish life.

On 1 Shevat 2553 AM (6 February 1451 BC), Moses gave his last address to the people of Israel. Most of the book of [[Deuteronomy]] consists of the text of that address.

On 1 Shevat 2553 AM (6 February 1451 BC), Moses gave his last address to the people of Israel. Most of the book of [[Deuteronomy]] consists of the text of that address.

Moses died on [[Mount Nebo]], on the eastern side of the Jordan River. No one knows even today where he is buried.

Moses died on Mount Nebo, on the eastern side of the Jordan River. No one knows even today where he is buried.

== Moses as prophet ==

== Moses as prophet ==

== Moses as author ==

== Moses as author ==

[[File:Moses speaks to the children of Israel.jpg|thumb|200px|left|The prophet [[Moses]] authored the book of [[Leviticus]] ]]

[[File:Moses speaks to the children of Israel.jpg|thumb|225px|right|The prophet Moses authored the [[Pentateuch]]. ]]

Moses is traditionally credited with being the author of the [[Pentateuch]], the first five books of the [[Old Testament]]. Jesus confirms this when he refers to Moses writing about him ({{bible ref|book=John|chap=5|verses=46}}), and although he is not specific about exactly what Moses wrote, he would have been referring to the books generally understood as being written by Moses. This body of work includes a history of the world from Creation to the moment of the death of Moses, a complete body of sacerdotal and civil law, and, most importantly, a detailed testimony of the Messiah to come, in the form of the Tabernacle.

Moses is traditionally credited with being the author of the [[Pentateuch]], the first five books of the [[Old Testament]]. Jesus confirms this when he refers to Moses writing about him ({{bible ref|book=John|chap=5|verses=46}}), and although he is not specific about exactly what Moses wrote, he would have been referring to the books generally understood as being written by Moses. This body of work includes a history of the world from Creation to the moment of the death of Moses, a complete body of sacerdotal and civil law, and, most importantly, a detailed testimony of the Messiah to come, in the form of the Tabernacle.

# Moses did not write Genesis, but compiled it from pre-existing written documents handed down through the ancestors of the Israelites all the way back to Adam. Moses could have edited the text to update some information, but whilst Moses would not be the actual author of the book in this case, he would still be responsible for it in its final form, and it would therefore still be one of the "books of Moses".

# Moses did not write Genesis, but compiled it from pre-existing written documents handed down through the ancestors of the Israelites all the way back to Adam. Moses could have edited the text to update some information, but whilst Moses would not be the actual author of the book in this case, he would still be responsible for it in its final form, and it would therefore still be one of the "books of Moses".

# Moses received the basis of the [[Pentateuch]] directly from God, as is recorded in the [[Book of Jubilees]], and it was later compiled into historical form by scribes.

# Moses received the basis of the [[Pentateuch]] directly from God, as is recorded in the Book of Jubilees, and it was later compiled into historical form by scribes.

== Moses as military leader ==

== Moses as military leader ==

Moses has appeared as the lead character in at least three dramatic projects, two in [[motion picture]]s and one on [[television]]. The record for a faithful depiction of his life is decidedly mixed.

Moses has appeared as the lead character in at least three dramatic projects, two in [[motion picture]]s and one on [[television]]. The record for a faithful depiction of his life is decidedly mixed.

== References ==

== References ==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

{{nb Levi}}

{{nb Levi}}