prophet · Old Testament
Moses
The Lawgiver
Strong's H4872 — original-language name study
Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, received the Ten Commandments from God, and guided the people through the wilderness for forty years.
Moses was born during a time when Pharaoh had ordered all Hebrew baby boys to be killed. His mother hid him for three months, then placed him in a basket among the reeds of the Nile. Pharaoh's daughter discovered him and raised him as her own son in the Egyptian palace, unknowingly hiring his own mother as his nurse.
At forty years old, Moses killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave. When the deed became known, Moses fled to Midian, where he spent forty years as a shepherd. There, at the burning bush, God called him to return to Egypt and demand Pharaoh release the Israelites. Despite his protests about his inadequacy, Moses obeyed.
Through ten devastating plagues, Moses confronted Pharaoh, culminating in the death of Egypt's firstborn and the institution of Passover. He led the people through the parted Red Sea and received the Law from God on Mount Sinai. For forty years he led the often-rebellious Israelites through the wilderness, interceding for them repeatedly.
Moses spoke with God "face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." He wrote the first five books of the Bible and established the foundation of Israelite worship and law. Yet because he struck the rock in anger instead of speaking to it, Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land. He died at 120 years old, his eyes undimmed and his strength unabated, and was buried by God Himself in an unknown grave.
Life Timeline of Moses
Birth in Egypt
Hidden in an ark of bulrushes; raised in Pharaoh's house.
Exodus 2:1-10 (KJV)Flight to Midian
Slays an Egyptian and flees; marries Zipporah.
Exodus 2:11-22 (KJV)Burning Bush
At 80, called from a burning bush to deliver Israel.
Exodus 3:1-10 (KJV)Ten Plagues
Confronts Pharaoh; the LORD strikes Egypt with ten plagues.
Exodus 7–12 (KJV)Red Sea
Leads Israel through the divided sea on dry ground.
Exodus 14:21-22 (KJV)Sinai
Receives the Law and the tabernacle pattern on the mount.
Exodus 19–31 (KJV)Wilderness Years
Leads Israel forty years through the wilderness.
Numbers 14:33-34 (KJV)Death on Nebo
Sees the Promised Land from Nebo and dies at 120.
Deuteronomy 34:1-7 (KJV)
Key Scriptures
"Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt."
"And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend."
Lessons from Moses's Life
- 1.God prepares His servants through unexpected paths and long seasons of waiting.
- 2.Our weaknesses don't disqualify us when God is the one calling.
- 3.Leadership often means interceding for those who oppose you.
- 4.Even great faith can falter, and our actions have consequences.
Books Featuring Moses
Related Characters
View all ProphetAaron
The First High Priest
Aaron was Moses' elder brother who served as his spokesman before Pharaoh and became Israel's first high priest, though he also led the people into idolatry with the golden calf.
Miriam
The Prophetess and Worship Leader
Miriam was Moses' sister who watched over him as a baby, led Israel's women in worship after the Red Sea crossing, and later faced judgment for challenging Moses' authority.
Joshua
The Conqueror
Joshua succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land, conquering Canaan through faith and obedience to God's commands.
Pharaoh of the Exodus
The Hardened Ruler
The unnamed Pharaoh of the Exodus refused to release Israel despite ten devastating plagues, ultimately losing his firstborn son and his army in the Red Sea.
Test yourself
Moses Quiz
10 KJV questions with verse references and instant feedback. Free, no signup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Miracles Featuring Moses
Every miracle in Scripture where Moses appears or is directly involved.
Moses' Rod Becomes a Serpent
The Lord turns Moses' shepherd's staff into a serpent and back again as a sign of His power.
Read the miracleParting of the Red Sea
Moses stretches out his hand and the Lord divides the sea so Israel walks across on dry ground.
Read the miracleWater from the Rock
Moses struck the rock at Horeb and water gushed out to give Israel drink.
Read the miracleThe Bronze Serpent
Bitten Israelites were healed by looking at a serpent of brass lifted up on a pole.
Read the miracleKorah's Rebellion — The Earth Opens
The ground splits open and swallows Korah and his followers for rebelling against Moses.
Read the miracleAaron's Rod That Budded
Aaron's dead rod overnight buds, blossoms, and yields ripe almonds as a sign of God's chosen priest.
Read the miracleThe Bitter Waters of Marah Sweetened
Moses casts a tree into the bitter waters of Marah and they are made sweet for Israel to drink.
Read the miracleThe Ten Plagues of Egypt
Ten devastating signs by which God broke Pharaoh's pride and freed His people.
Read the miracleManna from Heaven
God rained bread from heaven to feed Israel daily for forty years in the wilderness.
Read the miracleQuail in the Wilderness
God sends quail to cover the camp of Israel when the people cry out for meat.
Read the miracleThe Burning Bush
God appears to Moses in a bush that burns yet is not consumed, calling him to deliver Israel.
Read the miracleThe Transfiguration of Jesus
Jesus is transfigured on a mountain, His face shining as the sun, with Moses and Elijah appearing.
Read the miracleMiriam Struck and Healed of Leprosy
Miriam is struck with leprosy for speaking against Moses, and is healed after seven days outside the camp.
Read the miracleThe Passover — Firstborn Spared
The blood of a spotless lamb on the doorposts spared every Israelite firstborn the night Egypt's firstborn died.
Read the miracleThe Plague Stopped by Phinehas
Phinehas' zealous act ends a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites at Peor.
Read the miracleTest your knowledge of Moses
Free KJV Bible quizzes featuring this character — every answer cites a verse.
- Medium · 10 Qs
Old Testament Quiz
From Genesis to Malachi — test your knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Start quiz - Medium · 10 Qs
Moses Quiz
From the bulrushes to Mount Nebo — the life of God's deliverer.
Start quiz - Medium · 10 Qs
Nathan the Prophet Bible Quiz
The prophet who confronted David with 'Thou art the man.'
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Related Reading
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The Lawgiver
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The Prophet of Miracles
The Shadow on Hezekiah's Sundial Goes Backward
The Lord moves the shadow back ten degrees on Ahaz's sundial as a sign of Hezeki
Manna from Heaven
God rained bread from heaven to feed Israel daily for forty years in the wildern
How Old Was Moses When He Died?
People & Characters
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