Introduction
Moses is the primary character in Exodus, as well as the author of the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Leviticus, and Numbers). While many others had the pleasure of speaking with God before Moses, he is the first to be in God's physical presence. Through Moses we are given the most detailed view of how we are expected to live pre-Jesus. His role as a prophet was not only vital to the Israelites' escape from Egypt, but to the covenant that both Jews and Christians honor today.
In English we call him Moses, but his Hebrew name is Moshe or Mosheh (מֹשֶׁה), which means drawn[1]—probably because he was drawn out of the water.
Bible Verses
And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
Other Verses on Moses
Moses is the primary figure (besides God) in the following books.
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
Character
Not much is told to us about Moses's childhood. After being rescued by the Pharaoh's daughter, we know nothing until he is a grown man (this parallels the life of Jesus, in which we also know nothing about His childhood). We know that Moses is well versed in the knowledge of the Egyptians (see Acts 7:22), but we are not told at what point he learns that he is Hebrew instead of Egyptian. At some point the injustice placed upon the Hebrews angers Moses and he kills an Egyptian who was killing one of the Hebrews. This is the reason Moses flees Egypt originally. After killing the Egyptian and witnessing the Hebrews fighting amongst themselves, Moses reminds them (and us) that they (we) should not fight each other. Moses raises the very valid point that our efforts should not be in harming our brothers but in standing against common enemies—essentially he originated the "united we stand, divided we fall" concept.
It is during Moses's refuge from the anger of Pharaoh concerning Moses's transgression that Moses meets God. Note that God was not angry at Moses for murdering the Egyptian; Moses's act of murder is not a considered a mark against him because the Egyptian was smiting (or killing) a man which we were told in Genesis 9:6 is punishable by death. Still, Moses is initially very doubtful of God. God shows great patience in dealing with Moses who questions his ability to speak to Pharaoh, to speak for God, and to lead the masses.
Moses's doubt seems to lie mostly in himself; he doubts that he can accomplish the vision God has. However, in doubting himself, he also doubt's God; for it is God who is calling him to work. Take the simplified situation in which God calls a person to move a piece of furniture. If the person says, "whoa God, you've got the wrong person, I can't move this furniture!" They are also saying that God is wrong (He chose the wrong person) and God would call them to something He can't or won't grant them the ability to do. This is major pitfall of many of us (myself included), but our hope lies in how patient God was with Moses. He knew from the time Moses was born that this would be Moses's purpose, just as He knows what our purpose is. The book of Exodus not only shows us God's power but Moses's growth in God. He grows from a doubting disbeliever to the prophet that led the Exodus and provided us with all the foundational knowledge of God we have.
Descendants
Moses has two sons with his wife Zipporah; their names are Gershom and Eliezer.
Genealogy
| 🫂 Relationship | 🔠 Name |
|---|---|
| Siblings | Aaron and Miriam |
| Parents | Amram and Jochebed |
| Grandfather | Kohath |
| Great-Grandfather | Levi |
| Great(x2)-Grandparents | Jacob and Leah |
| Great(x3)-Grandparents | Isaac and Rebekah |
| Great(x4)-Grandparents | Abraham and Sarah |
| Great(x13)-Grandfather | Shem |
| Great(x14)-Grandfather | Noah |
| Great(x22)-Grandfather | Seth |
| Great(x23)-Grandparents | Adam and Eve |
References & Footnotes
- “Strong’s H4872: מֹשֶׁה“. Blue Letter Bible; visited August 13, 2022
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