A Quick Guide to Moses in the Bible

Name: Moses. According to the book of Exodus, his name means: "to pull out of water."

Family: Moses was the third child born to Amram and Jochebed, both of whom were Levites. He had a sister who was older by 7 years, Miriam, and a brother, Aaron, who was 3 years older. Moses was adopted into the family of pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt.

Early history: According to a genealogy in Genesis 46, Moses' grandfather, Kohath, was part of the group of Israelites who first went to Egypt, making Moses a second-generation member of the Israelite group in Egypt. At the time of Moses' birth, the Israelites were slaves of the Egyptians, employed to make bricks and other items. Just prior to Moses' birth, pharaoh sought to punish the Israelites for misdeeds and ordered that all Hebrew male babies be killed.

Adoption: Moses' mother saw that he was a fine child and so conspired to hide him. Eventually she built a small ark for him and cast him adrift in the Nile. There he was discovered by pharaoh's daughter and adopted him into the family of pharaoh.

Two men, two arks, two sets of laws: The same word used to describe the boat built by Noah is used to describe the boat built by Moses' mother. Both Noah and Moses were therefore saved via deliverance on an ark. Later, God would deliver a set of laws to both men for wider distribution. (See the back for the Seven Noahide Laws. You'll find them in the Noah story in Genesis, though they aren't provided in a list like the Ten Commandments, which Moses received from God.)

The Call: The story of Moses being called by God, who appeared in the form of a burning bush, can be found beginning in Exodus 3. It is also in this story we get one of the most fascinating descriptions of God. When Moses asks who it is that is talking to him, God replies: "I am who I am... (tell the people that) I AM has sent me to you" (NIV, Ex. 3:14)

Outside sources: The Islamic Qur'an, the history of Flavius Josephus and other accounts tell of the same adoption story for Moses (-- including my trusty World Book Encyclopedia).

By the numbers: Moses is mentioned by name 803 times in the Bible -- second only to Jesus. He is mentioned 153 in the Qur'an.

Moses & Jesus: According to the Bible, Moses is one of two Old Testament figures who met with Jesus during His earthly walk. Moses, along with Elijah, is present on the mountain at the Transfiguration of Jesus. In addition, Jesus refers to Moses more often in the New Testament than any other Old Testament figure.

Quote: "As important as Moses was to the Children of Israel, it is always important to remember that Moses himself was not the deliverer or redeemer of Israel. It was God who redeemed Israel, not Moses. Moses was merely God's prophet, His spokesman." - Judaism 101 at www.jewfaq.org

Key Moments in the Life of Moses:

Exodus, chapter 2: Moses is born

Exodus, chapter 3: Moses and the burning bush

Exodus, chapters 8-12: Moses confronts pharaoh, the 10 plagues, the Exodus from Egypt

Exodus, chapter 20: Moses receives the 10 Commandments

Deuteronomy chapters 10 - 11: part of a speech from Moses

Deuteronomy chapter 34: Moses dies

Matthew, chapter 17; Mark, chapter 9; and Luke, chapter 9: The Transfiguration of Jesus (Moses is present).

Hebrews, chapter 3: Jesus is greater than Moses

Hebrews, chapter 11: Moses is held up as an example of faith.

The seven Noahide Laws are:

1. Prohibition of Idolatry: You shall not have any idols before God.
2. Prohibition of Murder: You shall not murder.
3. Prohibition of Theft: You shall not steal.
4. Prohibition of Sexual Promiscuity: You shall not commit adultery.
5. Prohibition of Blasphemy: You shall not blaspheme God's name.
6. Prohibition of Cruelty to Animals: Do not eat flesh taken from an animal while it is still alive.
7. Requirement to have just Laws: You shall set up an effective judiciary to enforce the preceding six laws fairly.

The 10 Commandments

1) I am the Lord, your God. You shall have no other gods before me.

2) You shall not make for yourself an idol.

3) You shall not take the Lord's name in vain.

4) Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.

5) Honor your father and mother.

6) You shall not murder.

7) You shall not commit adultery.

8) You shall not steal.

9) You shall not bear false witness (lie).

10) You shall not covet.