Overview
Moses
Hebrew prophet and lawgiver
Quick Reference
(fl. c.14th–13th centuries bc),
Hebrew prophet and lawgiver, brother of Aaron. According to the biblical account, he was born in Egypt, and to escape a massacre was hidden by his mother in a basket among the bulrushes; found there by Pharaoh's daughter, he was adopted and brought up by her. Grown to manhood, he led the Israelites away from servitude in Egypt, across the desert towards the Promised Land. During the journey he was inspired by God on Mount Sinai to write down the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone (Exodus 20). In allusive use, the name may be used to denote someone held to resemble Moses, especially in his character of lawgiver or leader.
Law of Moses (or Mosaic Law) the system of moral and ceremonial precepts contained in the Pentateuch; the ceremonial portion of the system considered separately.
Moses basket a carrycot or small portable cot made of wickerwork, with allusion to the biblical story of Moses, left in a basket among the bulrushes (Exodus 2:3).
See also horns of Moses.
Subjects: Religion
