Bible character profile

Who Was Moses in the Bible?

Moses is the prophet and leader God used to deliver Israel from Egypt and give the law at Sinai.

Known For

  • Burning bush
  • Exodus from Egypt
  • Red Sea crossing
  • Ten Commandments

Biblical Context

Moses belongs to the Exodus story, where God delivers Israel from Egypt and forms them as a covenant people at Sinai.

Life and Story

Moses is called by God at the burning bush after years away from Egypt. Though reluctant, he is sent to Pharaoh with God's command to let Israel go.

Through Moses, God confronts Egypt, leads Israel through the Red Sea, and brings the people to Sinai. Moses becomes the mediator associated with covenant, law, worship, and wilderness leadership.

Deuteronomy remembers Moses as a unique prophet whom the Lord knew face to face. His life is marked by calling, burden, intercession, meekness, frustration, and faithful service.

Key Relationships

  • Brother of Aaron and Miriam
  • Leader of Israel
  • Mediator of the Sinai covenant
  • Prophet known by the Lord face to face

Why Moses Matters

Moses matters because the Exodus, the law, and the covenant at Sinai shape the rest of the Old Testament and prepare the language of redemption used throughout Scripture.

Study Notes

  • Moses is called by God despite reluctance and weakness.
  • His story connects deliverance, law, worship, intercession, and wilderness testing.
  • The Exodus through Moses becomes one of Scripture's main patterns for salvation.

Key KJV Verses

Exodus 3:10

“Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.”

Read Exodus 3

Exodus 14:21

“And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.”

Read Exodus 14

Exodus 20:2

“I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

Read Exodus 20

Deuteronomy 34:10

“And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,”

Read Deuteronomy 34

Questions about Moses

What is Moses known for?

Moses is known for leading Israel out of Egypt, crossing the Red Sea, receiving the Ten Commandments, and serving as a prophet of the Lord.

Where is Moses in the Bible?

Moses is central in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Biblical Art Connected to Moses

Engraving of Moses after Michelangelo sculpture, seated with tablets

Jacob Matham, after Michelangelo, 16th-17th century

Moses

The tablets and commanding posture present Moses as the visible bearer of the law.

Philippe de Champaigne painting of Moses holding the Ten Commandments

Philippe de Champaigne, 17th century

Ten Commandments

The tablets dominate the composition, making law and covenant the visual focus.

Painting of Miriam watching as Moses is found in the bulrushes

Simeon Solomon, 19th century

Finding of Moses

The image centers Miriam's watchfulness and the fragile beginning of Moses' deliverance story.

Illustration of Moses kneeling before the burning bush

Unknown artist, 19th century

Burning Bush

The image places Moses in a posture of reverence before a call that will reshape Israel's story.

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