Royal Motifs in the Pentateuchal Portrayal of Moses [Paperback]

Moses is portrayed through the use of royal motifs, such as his abandonment at birth, flight from Pharaoh, portrayal as a shepherd, as a semi-divine figure, temple builder, military general, and lawgiver. These well-known motifs that have been typically used to depict four famous rulers in the ancient Near East, Hammurabi, Esarhaddon, Nabonidus, and Cyrus, have been adapted by the authors of the Pentateuch to affirm Moses as a more ancient leader, whose work has resulted in the constitution of the community of Israel. As a result, Israel's identity and enduring existence rest upon the authority and legacy of Moses.

Danny Mathewsis the Assistant Professor of Religion at Pepperdine University (Malibu, California) and received his Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education (Richmond, Virginia) in 2008.Danny Mathews argues that the Pentateuch surrounds Moses with various royal symbolisms as well & It is a convincing argument. As Mathews realizes, royal and prophetic motifs need not be set in opposition. But he has uncovered an important and neglected thread of the Pentateuch. Mathews's discussion of Moses striking the Egyptian is very insightful. Peter Leithart,First Things

Chapter One: Who am I? : Unraveling the Mystery of Moses
I. Introduction

II. Moses in Classical Sources
A. The Portrayal of Moses in Early Hellenistic Sources
B. Philo's Portrait of Moses
C. Josephus' Portrayal of Moses
D. Conclusion

III. Moses in Modern Critical Scholarship
A. Modernizing Moses
B. Moses and Methodology
C. Recent Studies of Moses

IV. Conclusion

Chapter Two: Royal Motifs in the Pentateuchal Portrayal of Moses: An Overview

I. Introduction

II. Survey of the Portrayal of Moses in thePentateuch
A. The Birth and Abandonment of Moses
B. Beauty and Health
C The name Moses
D. Flight and Exile
E. Shepherd
F. Private Commissioning
G. Publicló@