Who Taught Moses the Law?
For centuries, scholars and laypeople alike have pondered the question of who taught Moses the law. This article delves into the biblical texts and historical context to provide answers and insights.
The Role of God in Teaching Moses
According to the Bible, particularly the Book of Exodus, God himself taught Moses the law. In Exodus 20:1-17, God delivers the famous Ten Commandments to Moses:
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
’You shall have no other gods before me.
’You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
’You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
Other laws and commandments were also given to Moses by God over the course of his ministry, such as the ones described in Exodus 31:18:
"He gave to Moses, when He had concluded speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.”
Scholarly Perspectives on Moses' Existence
However, the mainstream scholarly consensus suggests that Moses may have been a literary device used by the authors of the Torah. Many scholars argue that Moses, as a historical figure, may not have existed in the way he is presented in the Bible. Some compare him to mythical figures like Dionysus or Set, or even King Arthur.
For instance, in Galatians 3:19, the Apostle Paul writes:
“The law was given through angels by the hand of a mediator.”
Some scholars interpret this as suggesting that God spoke through angels to Moses, rather than directly.
How Moses Received the Law
Moses received the law from God on Mount Sinai in two stages. Initially, he received the law on a need-to-know basis, such as when God appeared to him in a burning bush. Whenever he had to make decisions, he sought God's guidance.
Later, God delivered the written law, including the Ten Commandments, and Moses recorded these in the Torah. The full law is detailed in various parts of the Torah, such as Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.
Concluding Thoughts
From a biblical perspective, Moses was taught the law by his God, both verbally and in written form. From a scholarly standpoint, the existence of Moses as a historical figure is debated, with some suggesting that the laws originated through divine mediation or other means.
The ultimate question of who taught Moses the law remains a topic of ongoing academic and religious discourse, offering a rich tapestry of interpretation and understanding.