Moses is not only referenced by name in book of Exodus, he also appears in 18 other Old Testament writings. Adding the 12 New Testament writings in which his name is found means he is personally referred to in 47% of all Biblical books!
Moses, in Exodus, becomes one of the rare Old Testament individuals who name is recorded twice in a single verse.
And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I (Exodus 3:4).
Horned Moses
After Moses received the Ten Commandments a second time his face shined with the radiance that came with being in God's holy presence (Exodus 34:29 - 30). This caused him to wear a veil when he talked to the Israelites.
[Ten Commandments in the New Testament]
The radiating of glory from Moses' face is sometimes referred to as the "horns of Moses." This phrase came from an error in Jerome's Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible.
"Jerome used the word cornuta, "horns," in translating Hebrew qaran, "radiant," (Strong's Concordance #H7160 found in Exodus 34:30) in the Vulgate because the Hebrew term often refers to horns.
"Consequently tradition held that Moses grew horns as a result of this experience. The mistake is graphically portrayed in the horned statue of Moses sculpted by Michelangelo in the sixteenth century" (Bible Background Commentary).
An English translation of the Latin Vulgate, known as the Douay-Rheims Version, confirms this error.
And Aaron and the children of Israel seeing the face of Moses horned, were afraid to come near (Exodus 34:30, Douay-Rheims Version).
[Comparison of Bible Translations]
Michelangelo's famous statue of Moses, shown above, demonstrates how Biblical errors can creep into works of art!
Whose People Are They?
There is a rather interesting quirk found in the book of Exodus. The majority of the time God refers to the Israelites as his people whom he will save out of Egypt (Exodus 3:7 - 8, 10, 5:1, 6:7, 7:4, 16, 8:1, 20 - 23, etc.).
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of MY PEOPLE which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them . . . (Exodus 3:7 - 8).
[Where Did Israel Live in Egypt?]
After the people sinned with the golden calf, however, the Lord referenced the Israelites as Moses' people who he (Moses) brought out of Egypt!
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for THY PEOPLE, which THOU broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf . . . (Exodus 32:7 - 8).
And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people WHICH THOU HAST BROUGHT UP out of the land of Egypt (Exodus 33:1).
[How Was the Promised Land Divided?]
It is also Biblically fascinating to note that Moses, when talking with God, refers to the children of Israel generically as people or God's people but not "my people" (Exodus 5:22 - 23, 17:4, 19:23, 32:11 - 12, 31, 33:12 - 13, 16).
And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated THIS PEOPLE? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to THIS PEOPLE; neither hast thou delivered THY PEOPLE at all (Exodus 5:22 - 23).
God's Names
The Hebrew text of the book of Exodus reveals ten different names or references to God. The Lord is called Adon Jehovah (Strong's Concordance Strong's #H113, #H3068), which means "Lord God," in Exodus 23:17 and 34:23. He is also called Adonai (Strong's #H136), which means "the Lord," in Exodus 4:10, 13, etc.
El (Strong's #H410) usually refers to the true God (Exodus 15:2). El is sometimes combined with the Hebrew Shaddi (#H7706) to form El Shaddi (God Almighty) as in Exodus 6:3.
Elohim (Strong's #H430), a uni-plural word used to refer to the Godhead, is found 139 times in Exodus (Exodus 1:17, 20 - 25, etc.). Jah (Strong's #H3050), another Hebrew reference to God, is found in Exodus 15:2 and 17:16.
Jehovah (Strong's #H3068), composed of the four Hebrew consonants YHVH that are called the Tetragrammaton, is found in Exodus 3:14. Jehovah Kodesh (Strong's #H3068, #H6942), which means "the God who sanctifies," is used in Exodus 31:13.
Jehovah-Nissi (Strong's #H3071), which means "Jehovah is my banner," is another of God's names (Exodus 17:15). Lastly, Jehovah Rapha (Strong's #H3068, #H7495), meaning "The Lord who heals," is found in Exodus 15:26.
Animals of Exodus
Animals, birds and insects whose first Biblical mention occurs in Exodus are the badger (25:5), dog (11:7), eagle (19:4), fly (8:21), frog (8:2), hornet (23:28), lice (8:16), locusts (10:4), quail (16:13) and worms (16:20).
But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel (Exodus 11:7).
[List of Animals in Scripture!]
Others in the animal kingdom referenced in the book include an ass (4:20), bull (29:1), fish (7:18), horse (9:3), lamb (12:3), ox (9:3), ram (29:15), serpents (4:3) and sheep (12:5).
Was Moses Married in Egypt?
The book of Exodus reveals no information about the specifics of Moses' life from shortly after his birth until, at forty, he kills a man (Exodus 2). That said, the Jewish historian Josephus claims that he was made Egypt's military leader in their war against Ethiopia. He also claims that Moses was married to the daughter of an Ethiopian king before he fled to Midian!
"Tharbis was the daughter of the King of the Ethiopians: she happened to see Moses as he led the army near the walls, and fought with great courage . . . she fell deeply in love with him; and upon the prevalence of that passion, sent to him the most faithful of all her servants to discourse with him about their marriage . . .
"He (Moses) thereupon accepted the offer (of marriage), on condition she would procure the delivering up of the city; and gave her the assurance of an oath to take her to his wife . . . No sooner was the agreement made, but it took effect immediately; and when Moses had cut off the Ethiopians, he gave thanks to God, and consummated his marriage . . ." (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 2, Chapter 10, Section 2).
First and Last
Moses wrote the first five Bible books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). He also holds the distinction of being one of only a handful of Old Testament people mentioned in Revelation, Scripture's last writing.
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints (Revelation 15:3).
Ex. 1 to 10 Outline - Ex. 11 to 20 Outline
Ex. 21 to 30 Outline - Ex. 31 to 40 Outline
Ex. 1 to 10 Questions - Ex. 11 to 20 Q's
Ex. 21 to 30 Q's - Ex. 31 to 40 Q's