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Moses was the greatest prophet, and leader of the Hebrews from their exodus from Egypt till the time right before entering the land of Canaan (modern day Israel). Moses was born at a time where the Hebrews were slaves in the land of Egypt by decree of the Egyptian Pharaoh.

Though the Pharaoh decreed that all Hebrew male infants be thrown into the Nile Rive, Moses was saved from this fate by being put in a reed basket and placed on the Nile River. His sister Miriam looked on from the bank and followed the basket until it was picked up by the daughter of Pharaoh. Pharaoh's daughter raised Moses in Egypt until he was an adult. When fully grown, Moses killed an Egyptian taskmaster beating a Hebrew slave. Fearing the consequences of killing an Egyptian, Moses fled Egypt and became a shepherd.

When Moses was 80 years old God spoke to him through a burning bush that was not consumed by the flame (Ex. 3:1-3). God told Moses to go back to Egypt, free the Hebrew slaves and lead them to their promised land, the land of Canaan. To assure Moses of his success, God told Moses exactly what to say and do.

The Pentateuch

Moses is known to be the author of the first five books of the Hebrew Testament which is known as the Pentateuch from the Greek translation of the Bible. The Hebrew Testament is usually referred to as the Torah, or the Chumash (coming from the Hebrew root meaning five).

In Christianity

Moses is also mentioned frequently in the New Testament. "At Christ's transfiguration, he represents the Law (see Matt. 17:3), and the role he plays in the Old Testament is pointed out in the Epistle to the Hebrews."

An article from Funk & Wagnalls® New Encyclopedia. © 2006 World Almanac Education Group. A WRC Media Company. All rights reserved. Except as otherwise permitted by written agreement, uses of the work inconsistent with U.S. and applicable foreign copyright and related laws are prohibited.