Moses

Moses is a central figure in several major religions, notably Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, he is regarded as the foremost prophet, lawgiver, and leader of the Israelites. In Christianity, he is honored as a key figure in salvation history and a prefiguration of Christ. In Islam, Moses (Musa) is one of the most important prophets, revered for his steadfast faith and role in guiding his people. The name Moses is traditionally linked to the Hebrew mosheh, meaning “drawn out,” reflecting the infant’s rescue from the Nile.

According to biblical accounts, Moses was born during the Israelites’ oppression in Egypt and raised in Pharaoh’s court after being saved from a royal decree to kill Hebrew infants. As an adult he encounters God in the burning bush and is commissioned to return to Egypt to demand the Israelites’ release. After a series of plagues, Pharaoh allows the exodus, and Moses leads the people across the Red Sea into the wilderness, where they wander for 40 years.

On Mount Sinai, Moses is said to receive the Law from God, including the Ten Commandments, and to convey it to the people. He oversaw the establishment of the covenant, the construction of the Tabernacle, and the organization of the priesthood. The narrative also recounts the incident of the Golden Calf, which leads to renewed covenantal terms and further legal material.

Moses dies at about 120 years old on Mount Nebo, with the exact location of his burial not recorded in the Bible. Traditional accounts often attribute the authorship of the core Torah to Moses, though modern scholarship generally sees the Pentateuch as the product of multiple sources over time. Moses’ legacy extends across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, where he is remembered as liberator, lawgiver, and exemplary prophet.