Story of Moses

For thousands of years, the story of Moses has been told and retold across different religions and cultures. He is revered as a prophet and leader in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Bahai faith, a man chosen by God to free his people and deliver divine laws. But beyond religious texts, how much of his story is historical fact, and how much is legend? The life of Moses remains one of the greatest mysteries of ancient history, blending faith, myth, and possible historical events into a narrative that continues to inspire millions.

Moses' story is primarily told in the biblical books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. He is also a key figure in the New Testament, emphasizing his influence beyond Judaism. In Islam, Moses—known as Musa—is the most frequently mentioned figure in the Quran, appearing 115 times, surpassing even the Prophet Muhammad, who is mentioned four times. This alone highlights his importance across multiple faith traditions. The most well-known part of his story is the Exodus—the dramatic escape of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, their journey through the wilderness, and Moses' receipt of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. However, no direct archaeological evidence outside religious texts confirms the historical accuracy of the Exodus, and Egyptian records do not mention Moses. This has led some scholars to question whether Moses was a historical figure or a legendary one, though his legacy remains powerful regardless.

While many accept the story of Moses as a matter of faith, historians and scholars have proposed alternative theories regarding his origins. An intriguing possibility comes from the writings of the Egyptian historian Manetho, who lived in the third century BCE. He wrote about an Egyptian priest named Osarsiph who led a group of outcast people, rejected Egyptian gods, and followed one supreme deity. This priest supposedly changed his name to Moses. Later, Jewish historian Josephus and Roman historian Tacitus recounted similar tales, leading to speculation that Moses may have been an Egyptian who initiated a religious movement rather than a Hebrew leader. Sigmund Freud, the famous psychologist, even theorized that Moses was not Hebrew at all but an Egyptian priest influenced by Pharaoh Akhenaten. Akhenaten was unique among Egyptian rulers for abandoning traditional polytheism in favor of worshiping a single god, Aten. When the old gods were restored under Tutankhamun, some believe that followers of Aten, possibly including Moses, fled Egypt, forming the basis for the biblical Exodus story. A radical theory even suggests that Moses and Akhenaten were the same person, and the tale of Exodus is a symbolic retelling of this dramatic religious shift.

Determining when Moses might have lived is challenging, as no definitive records confirm his existence. Many scholars believe that Hebrew scribes in Canaan wrote the story of Moses much later, crafting a powerful narrative to unite their people with a shared history and divine purpose. The idea that God had specifically chosen them and led them to the Promised Land would have served as a strong cultural and religious foundation. According to the biblical account, Moses' story begins after Joseph, son of Jacob, had risen to power in Egypt and brought his family there during a famine. Over time, their descendants, the Hebrews, became so numerous that a new Pharaoh saw them as a threat and enslaved them. Fearing an uprising, the Pharaoh ordered that all newborn Hebrew boys be killed.

Moses was born during this time. To save him, his mother placed him in a basket and sent him down the Nile, where he was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised as an Egyptian prince. However, upon discovering his true heritage, Moses rejected his royal life. After killing an Egyptian who was abusing a Hebrew slave, he fled to Midian, where he lived as a shepherd. One day, Moses encountered a burning bush that miraculously did not burn up. From the flames, God spoke to him, commanding him to return to Egypt and free the Hebrews. Reluctant and full of doubt, Moses hesitated, but God assured him that his brother Aaron would assist him and that divine power would be on their side.

Moses returned to Egypt and demanded that Pharaoh release the Hebrews, but Pharaoh refused. The biblical account describes how God "hardened Pharaoh’s heart," leading to a series of dramatic confrontations between Moses and Pharaoh’s priests. This culminated in the Ten Plagues—disasters including water turning to blood, darkness covering the land, swarms of locusts, and the death of every Egyptian firstborn. Only after this final calamity did Pharaoh relent, allowing the Hebrews to leave. However, he soon changed his mind and pursued them with his army. The famous parting of the Red Sea is one of the most dramatic moments in the Exodus story. With God’s help, Moses parted the waters, allowing the Hebrews to cross safely. When the Egyptian army followed, the waters crashed down upon them, drowning them all. Whether this event happened literally or was a later addition to an evolving narrative remains debated among scholars and archaeologists.

After escaping Egypt, the Hebrews wandered the desert for forty years. God guided them with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. On Mount Sinai, Moses received the Ten Commandments, the divine laws that would shape Jewish and Christian ethics for centuries. While Moses was on the mountain, the people grew impatient and convinced Aaron to make a golden calf for them to worship. Enraged, Moses smashed the stone tablets and commanded those loyal to God to punish the idolaters, resulting in the deaths of three thousand people. Later, God provided a new set of commandments, and the people reaffirmed their commitment to worship only Him. Despite all the miracles he witnessed, Moses was ultimately not allowed to enter the Promised Land. According to the Bible, this was because he disobeyed God by striking a rock instead of speaking to it as commanded. Before his death, he was allowed to see the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, but he was buried in an unmarked grave, and his successor, Joshua, led the Hebrews into Canaan.

In the Quran, Moses, or Musa, is portrayed as a prophet and a faithful servant of God. One notable Quranic story about Musa highlights the limits of human understanding compared to divine wisdom. In Surah Al-Kahf, Musa meets a mysterious figure named Al-Khidr, who demonstrates that what seems unjust or cruel may have a hidden purpose known only to God. This story emphasizes that even great leaders must learn humility and trust in God’s plan, paralleling the biblical Moses’ struggles with faith and obedience.

Moses’ story follows a classic hero’s journey, similar to ancient legends like that of Sargon of Akkad, who was also sent down a river as a baby and later became a great leader. His tale is one of destiny, divine intervention, and the struggle to fulfill a higher purpose. The themes of faith, perseverance, and leadership continue to resonate across cultures and religions.