Who Was Moses in the Bible? (For Kids)
Moses was the man God chose to lead His people out of slavery in Egypt. He was rescued as a baby in a basket, met God at a burning bush, watched God split the Red Sea, and received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.
- When
- About 1,500 years before Jesus
- Found in
- Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
- Big idea
- God uses ordinary people who feel too small for the job.
Moses’s story, step by step
- 1
A baby in a basket
Pharaoh ordered every Hebrew baby boy to be thrown into the river. Moses’ mother hid him three months, then placed him in a little ark of bulrushes among the reeds. Pharaoh’s daughter found him and raised him as her own.
- 2
Running away
As a grown man Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, and after he struck the Egyptian he fled to the desert of Midian, where he looked after sheep for forty years.
- 3
The burning bush
A bush blazed with fire but never burned up. God spoke from it and said, “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14), and sent Moses back to Egypt with a message for Pharaoh: “Let my people go.”
- 4
Ten plagues
Pharaoh said no again and again, so God sent ten plagues — river turned to blood, frogs, flies, hail, darkness and more — until at last Israel was let go after the Passover.
- 5
The Red Sea
Trapped between the army and the water, Moses stretched out his hand and the LORD drove back the sea. Israel walked across on dry ground.
- 6
The Ten Commandments
On Mount Sinai God gave Moses the law written on two tablets of stone — the rules that show us how to love God and love people.
Memory verse
“The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
Exodus 14:14 (KJV)
Fun facts about Moses
- Moses’ own mother was paid to nurse him, thanks to his sister Miriam’s quick thinking (Exodus 2:7–9).
- Moses told God he was “slow of speech” — so God sent his brother Aaron to help him speak.
- He led the people for forty years in the wilderness.
- Moses saw the promised land from Mount Nebo but did not enter it (Deuteronomy 34).
Moses & the Red Sea coloring page
Free printable Moses Red Sea coloring page — parted walls of water with fish swimming inside, and the KJV verse.
Open & printTake the Moses quiz
Test what you remember with questions drawn straight from the King James text.
Start the quiz More Bible quizzes for kidsTalk about it
- Moses thought he was the wrong man for the job. Has God ever asked you to do something that felt too big?
- Why do you think God said “I AM” when Moses asked His name?
- Which of the Ten Commandments is hardest for you?
Do it together
Float a small basket in the bath or sink and retell Exodus 2 together. Then print the Red Sea coloring page and say Exodus 14:14 out loud as you colour.
Dear God, thank You for using Moses even when he felt afraid. Help me to trust that You will help me too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions kids ask about Moses
Who was Moses in the Bible?
Moses was the prophet God chose to lead Israel out of slavery in Egypt, to receive the law at Mount Sinai, and to guide the people through forty years in the wilderness.
Why was baby Moses put in a basket?
Pharaoh had commanded that every Hebrew baby boy be killed. Moses' mother hid him for three months and then set him in a basket of bulrushes at the river's edge, where Pharaoh's daughter found and adopted him (Exodus 2).
What did Moses do at the Red Sea?
At God's word Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; the LORD drove the waters back with a strong east wind, and Israel crossed on dry ground (Exodus 14).
Did Moses enter the promised land?
No. Moses saw the land from Mount Nebo, but Joshua led Israel in. Moses died in Moab at 120 years old (Deuteronomy 34:1–7).