Joshua Bennett
The biblical Moses is considered by the majority of scholars to be a legendary figure, with the possibility that a Moses-like figure existed in the 13th century BCE. The exact year of Moses' birth is unknown, with various estimates placing it in the 16th, 15th, or 14th century BCE. Rabbinic Judaism calculates Moses' lifespan as corresponding to 1391–1271 BCE, while other sources suggest dates in the late 14th century BCE, with one source giving the specific year of 1393 BCE.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Birth | 1393 BCE, 1391 BCE, 1592 BCE, 1571 BCE, 1596 BCE, 1643 BCE, 1894-1878 BCE, 1878-1841 BCE |
| Born | Egypt |
| Parents | Jochebed and Amram |
| Father's Occupation | Leader of the tribe of Levi |
| Mother's Relation to Father | Kin to Amram |
| Number of Siblings | 2 |
| Number of Older Siblings | 2 |
| Names of Siblings | Miriam, Aaron |
| Age Gap with Older Sister | 6 years |
| Age Gap with Older Brother | 3 years |
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What You'll Learn
Moses' birth year is estimated to be between 1592 BCE and 1393 BCE
The birth year of Moses is not known for certain, but it is estimated to be between 1592 BCE and 1393 BCE.
The majority of scholars view the biblical Moses as a legendary figure, but some believe that a Moses-like figure may have existed in the 13th century BCE. Rabbinic Judaism calculated Moses' lifespan to be from 1391 BCE to 1271 BCE, while other sources suggest 1592 BCE or 1571 BCE as his birth year.
Assuming that the reference to 480 years in the Bible refers to 40 years per generation, the most probable date for the Exodus is around 1290 BCE, which would place Moses' birth in the late 14th century BCE. This is supported by the fact that Moses is believed to have flourished in the 14th and 13th centuries BCE and is associated with the Exodus from Egypt, which is estimated to have occurred around 1290 BCE.
Another estimate places Moses' birth at 1393 BCE, based on the calculation that he was born in the year 2368 from creation. This estimate also falls within the suggested range of the late 14th or early 15th century BCE for Moses' birth.
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He was born in Egypt
The majority of scholars view the biblical Moses as a legendary figure, but some believe that a Moses-like figure may have existed in the 13th century BCE.
According to the biblical account, Moses was born in Egypt to parents from the tribe of Levi, one of the groups in Egypt called Hebrews. The Hebrews had been in Egypt for generations, but at some point, they were enslaved by a pharaoh. The name "Moses" may have Egyptian roots, with the Egyptian root "msy" ('child of') or "mose" being considered as a possible etymology.
Moses' birth took place at a time when a kingly edict had been decreed that all newborn male Hebrew children were to be drowned in the Nile River. Moses' mother hid him for three months before placing him in a basket and concealing it among the bulrushes on the riverbank. Moses was then discovered and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, and he was raised as an Egyptian.
While there is no consensus on the exact year of Moses' birth, several estimates have been proposed. Rabbinic Judaism calculates Moses' lifespan as corresponding to 1391-1271 BCE. Other estimates include 1592 BCE by Jerome, 1571 BCE by James Ussher, and the late 14th century BCE based on the assumption that the Exodus took place around 1290 BCE.
Therefore, while the exact year of his birth remains uncertain, it is clear that Moses was born in Egypt during a tumultuous time for the Hebrews, who were facing oppression and enslavement under the rule of a pharaoh.
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His parents were Jochebed and Amram
The names of Moses' parents were indeed Jochebed and Amram. Moses' mother, Jochebed, was a daughter of Levi and the wife of Amram, who was also her nephew. Jochebed was also the mother of Miriam, Aaron, and Moses. According to Josephus Flavius, the birth of Moses was an extraordinary event because Jochebed was spared the pain of childbirth due to both her and Amram's piety.
Jochebed and Amram's marriage was considered scandalous because it was between relatives and was later forbidden by the law of Moses. In the Book of Numbers, Jochebed is identified as Amram's father's sister, though ancient translations differ, with some Greek and Latin manuscripts of the Septuagint stating that she was Amram's father's cousin, and others saying she was his cousin.
Jochebed and Amram hid Moses for three months, defying the Pharaoh's decree that all male Hebrew babies were to be killed. Jochebed then placed Moses in a basket on the banks of the Nile, where he was discovered and adopted by the Pharaoh's daughter. Jochebed was then appointed to take care of him, nursing her son until he was old enough and then bringing him to the Pharaoh's daughter, who adopted him as her son.
The majority of scholars see the biblical Moses as a legendary figure, while retaining the possibility that Moses or a Moses-like figure existed in the 13th century BCE. Suggested birth years for Moses include 1592 BCE, 1571 BCE, and a lifespan corresponding to 1391-1271 BCE.
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Moses was hidden for three months after his birth
The majority of scholars view the biblical Moses as a legendary figure, but some believe that a Moses-like figure may have existed in the 13th century BCE. According to the biblical account, Moses was born in Egypt, at a time when the Israelites were enslaved to Pharaoh and subject to harsh decrees. Fearing the birth of a leader who could free the Israelites, Pharaoh decreed that all newborn male Israelites be drowned in the Nile. Moses' parents, Jochebed and Amram, concealed him for three months before placing him in an ark and abandoning him on the banks of the Nile.
Moses' exact birth year is unknown, but several estimates have been proposed. Rabbinic Judaism calculates Moses' lifespan as corresponding to 1391–1271 BCE. Other estimates for his birth year include 1592 BCE by Jerome, 1571 BCE by James Ussher, and the late 14th century BCE based on the assumption that the Exodus occurred around 1290 BCE. The biblical archaeologist and historian W.F. Albright suggests that the Exodus from Egypt took place around 1440 BCE, which would place Moses' birth even earlier.
The birth of Moses is significant as it marks the beginning of his life, which, according to the Bible, was dedicated to freeing the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and leading them to the Promised Land. Moses' birth and subsequent concealment by his parents also highlight the oppression faced by the Israelites at the time and the courage and faith of Moses' family in defying Pharaoh's decree.
The story of Moses being hidden for three months and then placed in an ark on the Nile is also notable as it parallels the story of baby Jesus being hidden from King Herod by Joseph and Mary, who fled to Egypt with him. This biblical connection further emphasizes the symbolic significance of Moses as a leader and savior of his people.
In conclusion, the account of Moses being hidden for three months after his birth sets the stage for his remarkable life journey. It showcases the challenges faced by the Israelites, the resilience of Moses' family, and the divine intervention that ultimately shaped Moses' destiny as a pivotal figure in biblical history.
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He was placed in a basket on the Nile river
The majority of scholars consider the biblical Moses to be a legendary figure, but some believe that a Moses-like figure may have existed in the 13th century BCE. According to the Bible, Moses was born in Egypt at a time when the Israelites were enslaved by Pharaoh. Fearing the birth of a leader who would free the Israelite slaves, Pharaoh decreed that all newborn male Israelites be drowned in the Nile river.
To protect her son, Moses' mother placed him in an ark (basket) and concealed it among the bulrushes on the riverbank. The child was discovered and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, who raised him as an Egyptian. After growing up in the royal household and being schooled in "all the wisdom of the Egyptians", Moses eventually fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian man who was beating a Hebrew.
The exact date of Moses' birth is unknown, and various estimates have been proposed by scholars and religious traditions. Rabbinic Judaism calculates Moses' lifespan as corresponding to 1391–1271 BCE, while other sources suggest dates such as 1592 BCE, 1571 BCE, and the late 14th century BCE.
In summary, the story of Moses being placed in a basket on the Nile river reflects the biblical narrative's focus on his miraculous survival and escape from the decree of Pharaoh, setting the stage for his future role as a leader and liberator of the Israelites.
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Frequently asked questions
The majority of scholars see the biblical Moses as a legendary figure, but it is believed that Moses or a Moses-like figure existed in the 13th or 14th century BCE.
Moses was born to Jochebed and Amram, from the tribe of Levi, one of the groups in Egypt called Hebrews. Fearing the birth of a leader of the Israelite slaves, Pharaoh decreed that all Israelite boys be drowned in the Nile. Moses' mother placed him in an ark and concealed it in the bulrushes on the riverbank. He was discovered and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter and raised as an Egyptian.
Moses' birth name, Moshe, has Egyptian roots. The Egyptian root "msy" or "mose" means "child of" and is considered an abbreviation of a theophoric name with the god's name omitted. The suffix "mose" appears in Egyptian pharaohs' names like Thutmose ("born of Thoth") and Ramose ("born of Ra").
Moses is often a symbol of God's law, as reinforced and expounded on in the teachings of Jesus. Moses is also commemorated as a prophet in the Roman Catholic Church's Calendar of Saints on September 4.
