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Understanding Moses
The power dynamic between Moses and the people of Israel has been studied and interpreted in different lights. Some scholars question the mortality and humanness of Moses because he is often seen as exceeding humanity. Theologians such as Jennifer Koosed hold this somewhat controversial perspective that Moses was more than just a common mortal man; his being was complex and extended to other forms. He blurred the lines between man, the divine, and the animals, because his connection to God was so powerful and transcending. Moses’s face to face interaction with God actually changes his humanity, and because of this he wears a veil to hide his transformation, thus showing that he is anything but an ordinary man. In his transformation, he also emerges from the mountain with horns, which is taken as a symbol of power. In Greek, horns can be translated to the phrase “beam of light”, and Moses descending from the mountains with horns is “the image is of Moses radiating divine light” (Koosed, Section 1), proving that he is more powerful than man and encompasses some aspects of the divine. Another aspect of Moses that suggests his divinity, is the fear that he instills upon the Israelites. Fear is a quality that people hold against the divine and against people who are superior towards them. The Israelites themselves suggest that Moses is more than a mortal. Moses blurs the lines between divine and mortal by being a human, but holding power and having the qualities of a superior being. Interpretations such as these give Moses more credibility and authority than most people usually do.
Overall, in the Hebrew Bible, it is agreed that Moses has some authority and power. But it is the extent of this power that is debated. Contrary to how some theologians interpret the divine like power of Moses, many disagree and claim that Moses was not in fact divine in any way, and that his authority does not correspond with the word of God. Because he is physically a human, it is impossible that he could be divine. Ancient authors such as Strabo and Tacitus who have studied and interpreted the Hebrew Bible, hold the view that Moses is an inaccurate representation of God’s power and authority, because His being is unable to be constructed through any mortal at all. People such as Strabo and Tacitus see Moses in a more moderate way, as simply an Egyptian priest and religion innovator who spreads the word of God; not a human vessel for God himself. Although he obviously has authority, his authority is not divine. This is the typical view of Moses that is held among the majority of the Christian community. |
The Septuagint text is a different, a bit more of an ancient version of the Hebrew bible, and can be viewed as a “collection of translations” of the bible (Fernández Marcos, xi)., This specific translation used such a different version of Greek that only figures as old as Plato and Aristotle would have been able to read it (Schodde, 138). There are many editions of the Septuagint text, the Sixtina is the most known and is a traditional text (Schodde, 139). In comparing Exodus and looking at the similarities and differences between the Septuagint text and the Hebrew bible there is a significant differences in the two texts. There are so many different interpretations of Exodus, however the Septuagint also known as LXX text is the most original form of the Hebrew bible (Carroll, 30). The Septuagint form of Exodus is trying to stay as true to the Hebrew religion as possible (Carroll, 30). Regarding structure, the Septuagint text is different because of the Greek that it is translated into (Septuagint, Intro). The translation of Greek makes the text longer than the Hebrew text, but this translation also creates a difference in context between the Greek and Hebrew Bible (Schodde, 137). A study was done comparing the two works word for word and it was found that only one out of three sentences matched (Schodde, 137). Regarding context, in the Septuagint text Moses is described as a young boy who has matured as though out his growth into adulthood. The reason why the Septuagint text chooses to portray Moses in this way is because it gives the readers a more idealized picture of Moses. The similarities come from the description of the early life of Moses. That is similar to the Christian text describing Moses. The context of the two different texts are the same, there are just minor vocabulary differences. This just shows the different interpretations of Moses as a important theological figure, and different forms of those interpretations. Since the Septuagint text was written before the Bible, some of the old testament passages were based off what was said in the Septuagint text (Fernández Marcos, 338).
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In the Jewish faith, Moses is considered a powerful and God fearing leader because he fulfilled his duty to the Israelites by leading them out of persecution in Egypt. Josephus’ portrayal of Moses is careful to depict him as a man of God but not as a divine being who transcends humanity. Moses is widely accepted as a prophet. In Josephus’ portrait of Moses, it is clear that that Moses was the one man qualified to do the job of leading the Israelites not just because he was chosen by God but because he is inherently virtuous. It is evident that Moses struggled with his calling but he also did not deny his vocation like many leaders of the Old Testament did. Moses is often over romanticized but it is in his humanity that we can see God’s divinity flourish. Josephus modifies the traditional Biblical narrative of Moses to compare him to Greek and Roman heroes. The most prominent virtues of Moses include wisdom, courage, temperance, justice, and piety. Four of these are cardinal virtues.
Piety is an important virtue because it establishes Moses’ as leader in the eyes of God. In his role as prophet, Josephus reminds us that Moses had to remain pious and obedient to God because he was the example for the Israelites to follow. Moses had to be able to encourage the chosen people of God at a time when they we being oppressed and marginalized in the most extreme way. He also had to discourage them from turning to idolatry and breaking other commandments. The Israelites disobeyed his leadership but this did not stop Moses from being a role model for his people although he did pass on the reigns to his brother Aaron later on. Moses set the tone for what type of leader his brother should be.
It is important to note that justice played a key role as a virtue of Moses because that it what he and his people were seeking. This is the virtue that God used in him to accomplish his prophecy earth. Josephus’ points out that for Jews, the legacy of Moses is significant to the values they maintain today. Moses had a difficult job as a leader of the chosen people but he never strayed from the truth. His obedience to the will of God is what made the Israelites trust him. Exodus 14:29-31 says “29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” (NIV) Jews faced oppression but they were able to see God’s faithfulness to them manifest itself through Moses. Through his virtuous life, Jews and Gentiles can see righteousness. Righteousness will allow God’s chosen ones to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Piety is an important virtue because it establishes Moses’ as leader in the eyes of God. In his role as prophet, Josephus reminds us that Moses had to remain pious and obedient to God because he was the example for the Israelites to follow. Moses had to be able to encourage the chosen people of God at a time when they we being oppressed and marginalized in the most extreme way. He also had to discourage them from turning to idolatry and breaking other commandments. The Israelites disobeyed his leadership but this did not stop Moses from being a role model for his people although he did pass on the reigns to his brother Aaron later on. Moses set the tone for what type of leader his brother should be.
It is important to note that justice played a key role as a virtue of Moses because that it what he and his people were seeking. This is the virtue that God used in him to accomplish his prophecy earth. Josephus’ points out that for Jews, the legacy of Moses is significant to the values they maintain today. Moses had a difficult job as a leader of the chosen people but he never strayed from the truth. His obedience to the will of God is what made the Israelites trust him. Exodus 14:29-31 says “29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” (NIV) Jews faced oppression but they were able to see God’s faithfulness to them manifest itself through Moses. Through his virtuous life, Jews and Gentiles can see righteousness. Righteousness will allow God’s chosen ones to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
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