The Role of Moses in Biblical Literature: A Closer Look at the Books of Moses

The enigmatic figure of Moses has been the subject of debate for centuries. Although the Bible credits him with writing several books, the authenticity and authorship of these writings have been called into question by many scholars and theologians. In this article, we will delve into the details of the books attributed to Moses and explore the current scholarly understanding of his role in biblical literature.

Did Moses Write the Books?

Technically, nobody wrote the books that are now known as the Five Books of Moses. These were originally scrolls, not books in the modern sense. The Five Books of Moses, or the Pentateuch, are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Some believe that besides these, Moses may have also written or at least contributed to the Book of Job and possibly a portion of the Book of Psalms. However, the primary scholarly consensus is that none of these books can be definitively attributed to Moses himself. The Bible itself suggests that Moses wrote the Pentateuch in passages such as Deuteronomy 4:14, Deuteronomy 5:1-2, 1 Kings 2:3, 1 Kings 8:9, 2 Kings 14:6, Ezra 7:6, Nehemiah 1:7, 8:1, Psalms 103:7, Daniel 9:13, 2 Chronicles 23:18, 25:4, Malachi 4:4, Matthew 19:7-8, Matthew 22:24, Acts 3:22, Acts 7:37-38, Romans 10:19, 1 Corinthians 9:9, Hebrews 9:19, Revelation 15:3.

However, many modern biblical scholars argue that the Bible's assertion of Moses as the sole author of the Pentateuch is difficult to substantiate. The consensus among these scholars is that the Pentateuch contains multiple layers of authorship, possibly spanning several centuries.

Scholarly Perspective on the Authorship of the Pentateuch

Moses as a Legendary Figure: As modern non-fundamentalist scholars see it, Moses is portrayed as a more or less legendary or mythological figure. This means that he did not write any of the books attributed to him. The theory of multiple authors underpins this perspective, suggesting that the Pentateuch was edited together from various earlier sources, leading to the emergence of the definitive version around the 500s BCE.

Evidence of Multiple Writing Hands: The Pentateuch contains clear evidence of multiple authors. One of the primary arguments is the existence of various versions of the same stories, indicating the text was edited and compiled over time. This is supported by the differences in grammar, syntax, and style found in the different sections of the Pentateuch.

Vindicating Moses: The Death and Burial of Moses

Another interesting question is how Moses narrated his own death and burial. According to Deuteronomy 34, he did narrate his death and burial and even described his tomb and its location. This raises questions about the authenticity of the narrative, leading many scholars to believe that the account of Moses' death and burial was likely written by a different author.

Historians and scholars highlight the fact that the Pentateuch shows signs of accretion, where later editors added or revised certain parts. This process could explain why Moses is described as writing about his death, even though the text was likely written by another hand.

The Role of Oral Tradition and Transmission

Moses is credited with teaching Aaron and his sons, Joshua, and the tribal elders the Oral Law. This tradition is documented in the Talmud, Mishnah, and Gemarah. Such oral transmission was essential for maintaining religious and cultural practices in the absence of a written record.

The process of oral transmission over a prolonged period could have contributed to the evolving nature of the stories and teachings attributed to Moses. This tradition continued even after his death, shaped by the evolving needs and circumstances of the community.

Understanding the complex interplay between oral and written traditions in the context of Moses and the Pentateuch is crucial for gaining a comprehensive perspective on the historical and literary significance of these texts. The modern scholarly view, while challenging traditional assumptions, offers a nuanced and enriching interpretation of the Bible's origins and development.