Moses
The prophet who led Israel out of slavery in Egypt and received the Law at Mount Sinai.
At a glance
- Name
- Moses
- Type
- Person
- Period
- Old Testament
- Appears in
- Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, plus the Transfiguration in the Gospels
- First appearance
- Exodus 2
- Known for
- Leading the Exodus and receiving the Ten Commandments
Who is Moses?
Moses is born to a Levite family in Egypt during a time when the Israelites are enslaved. As a baby he is placed in a basket on the Nile and is drawn out and raised in Pharaoh's household. As a grown man he flees to Midian after killing an Egyptian.
God calls Moses from a burning bush and sends him back to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of slavery. After a series of plagues, Pharaoh lets the people go, and Moses leads them through the Red Sea.
At Mount Sinai, Moses receives the Law, including the Ten Commandments. He leads Israel through forty years in the wilderness and dies within sight of the promised land without entering it.
Moses in the Bible
Birth and flight to Midian
Moses is drawn out of the Nile as a baby and raised in Pharaoh's household, then flees to Midian as a grown man.
Read Exodus 2 →The burning bush
God speaks to Moses from a bush that burns without being consumed and sends him to bring Israel out of Egypt.
Read Exodus 3 →Crossing the Red Sea
Moses stretches out his hand and the LORD divides the sea, and Israel crosses on dry ground.
Read Exodus 14 →The Law at Mount Sinai
Moses receives the Ten Commandments and the Law at Mount Sinai.
Read Exodus 20 →The death of Moses
Moses views the promised land from Mount Nebo and dies in Moab without entering it.
Read Deuteronomy 34 →People connected with Moses
- brother of Aaron Aaron is Moses' brother and speaks for him before Pharaoh.
Key passages featuring Moses
These are key passages, not a complete list of every appearance.