Moses/Musa

Bible

Hebrew boys killed

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us…”

And they were in dread of the children of Israel. And they (the Egyptians ed.) made their lives bitter with hard bondage.

So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every (Hebrew ed.) son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.” Exodus 1: 8-10, 12-14, 22

Moses in the bulrushes

So the (Hebrew ed.) woman conceived and bore a son… she hid him three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him…put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it.

And when she had opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.”

So the maiden went and called the child’s mother. Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him.

And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.” Exodus 2:2-10

Moses kills an Egyptian
Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, “Why are you striking your companion?” Then he said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” So Moses feared and said, “Surely this thing is known!”

When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses.

But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well. Exodus 2: 11-15

Moses and the burning bush

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush… but the bush was not consumed. …God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!… Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. I am the God of your father-the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.

And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey…Then Moses said to God: “when… they say to me ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”

And God said to Moses,

“(YaHWeH) I AM WHO I AM.” Exodus 3: 2, 4-8, 13-14

A divine mission

And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.

“So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey…

“Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” Exodus 3: 7-8, 10
Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”

So…the Lord…said: “Is not Aaron…your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do.” Exodus 4: 10, 13-15

Let my people go!

Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ “

And Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.”

So they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go…Exodus 5: 1-3

And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

But Pharaoh also called… the magicians of Egypt…every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.

And Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them… Exodus 7: 10-13

Plagues

And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. Exodus 7: 20

“So…frogs…shall…come into your house, into your bedroom, on your bed….into your ovens and into your kneading bowls. Exodus,8:3

Then they took ashes from the furnace and stood before Pharaoh, and Moses scattered them toward heaven. And they caused boils…on man and beast. Exodus 9: 10

And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt and rested on all the territory of Egypt. Exodus 10:14
And the Lord said to Moses, “I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt.

About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh… to the firstborn of the female servant… and all the firstborn of the animals.

But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the Lord does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.” Exodus 11: 1, 4-5, 7

And… at midnight…the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

Then he (Pharaoh ed.) called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said.”

So the people took their dough before it was leavened… (and ed.) went out from the land of Egypt.

This is that night of the Lord, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations. Exodus 12: 29, 31,34, 41-42

Passage through the sea

Now it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled…

So the Egyptians pursued them and overtook them camping by the sea…

And the Lord said to Moses, “… lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back… So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea…

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians…And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; So the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.

Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained.

But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. So the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Exodus 14: 5, 9,15-16 , 21-23, 26-30

Journey through the desert

Then…the children of Israel set out on their journey…but there was no water…and the people complained against Moses…

“Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”

So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!” And the Lord said to Moses, “… take in your hand your rod…and strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.”

Then…the children of Israel complained…”Oh, that we had died…in…Egypt…when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. So it was that …in the morning…on the surface of the wilderness was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground. And Moses said to them, “This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat..”

Exodus 17:1,3, 4-6; 16: 2-4, 13-15

God radiant on the mountain

And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying,

“…if you will indeed obey My voice…then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people… And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire.

And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him…

Then Moses went up…and saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet…a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity. And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God. Exodus 19:3,5-6, 18-19, 24:9-10, 31:18

The golden calf

And the Lord said to Moses,

“Go, get down! For your people whom you brought 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 themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it…”

And Moses turned and went down from the mountain, and the two tablets of the Testimony were in his hands… and the writing was the writing of God…as soon as he came near the camp…he saw the calf and the dancing.

So Moses’ anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. Then he took the calf which they had made, burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder; and he scattered it on the water and made the children of Israel drink it.

Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin-…Exodus 32: 7-9, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32

(Some of the) ten commandments
And the Lord said to Moses, “Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke.”

Exodus 34:1
“I am the Lord your God…You shall have no other gods before Me.”

“Honor your father and your mother…” Exodus 20: 2-3 Exodus 20: 12

“Honor your father and mother.”Matthew 19:19

“You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13

Land of milk and honey
“…I will bring you…to a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Exodus 3:17

So the Lord’s anger was aroused against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the Lord was gone. Numbers 32:13

Then Moses went up to…mount Nebo… And the Lord showed him all the land of Judah as far as the Western sea and the plain of the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees…and said to him:

“This is the land which I swore to give Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying ‘I will give it to your descendants.’

I have caused you to see it with your own eyes, but you shall not cross over there.” Deuteronomy 34:4

After the death of Moses…the Lord spoke to Joshua… “go over this (river ed.) Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to the children of Israel.” Joshua,1:1-2

..a land flowing with milk and honey Exodus 3:17

Koran

Pharaoh oppresses a minority

We rehearse to you some of the story of Moses and Pharaoh in Truth, for people who believe.

Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sections, depressing a small group among them: their sons he slew, but he kept alive their females: for he was indeed a maker of mischief.

And We wished to be gracious to those who were being depressed in the land, to make them leaders (in faith) and make them heirs, to establish a firm place for them in the land…28 The Narration, 3-6

The baby cast into the river

So We sent this inspiration to the mother of Moses: “Suckle (your child), but when you have fears about him, cast him into the river, but fear not nor grieve: for We shall restore him to you, and We shall make him one of Our Messengers.”

Then the people of Pharaoh picked him up (from the river): (It was intended) that (Moses) should be to them an adversary and a cause of sorrow…

The wife of Pharaoh said: “(Here is) a joy of the eye, for me and for you: do not slay him. It may be that he will be of use to us, or we may adopt him as a son.”

And Allah sets forth, as an example…, the wife of Pharaoh: behold she said: ”O my Lord! build for me, in nearness to You, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong”; 66 Holding, 11

But there came to be a void in the heart of the mother of Moses: she was going almost to disclose his (case), had We not strengthened her heart…so that she might remain…a believer. And she said to the sister of (Moses): “Follow him.” So she (the sister) watched him in the character of a stranger. And they did not know. And we ordained that he refused suck at first, until (his sister came up and) said: “Shall I point out to you the people of a house that will nourish and bring him up for you and be sincerely attached to him?” Thus We restored him to his mother, that her eye might be comforted, that she might not grieve…

When he reached full age, and was firmly established (in life), We bestowed on him wisdom and knowledge… 28The Narration, 7-14

Moses murders a man
…and he (Moses ed.) found there two men fighting -one of his own religion, and the other, of his foes. Now the man of his own religion appealed to him against his foe, and Moses struck him with his fist and made an end of him. He said: “This is the work of Evil (Satan) for he is an enemy that manifestly misleads!”

He (Moses ed.) prayed: “O My Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul! You then forgive me!” So (Allah) forgave him: for He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And there came a man, running, from the furthest end of the City. He said: “O Moses! The Chiefs are taking counsel together about you, to slay you: so you get away…” He therefore got away therefrom, looking about, in a state of fear. He prayed:

“O my Lord! save me from people given to wrong-doing.” 28 The Narration,15-17,20-21

(Allah said ed.) …“Then you slew a man, but We saved you from trouble… 20 Ta-Ha,40

A voice in the fire

Has the story of Moses reached you? Behold, he saw a fire: so he said to his family: “You tarry; I perceive a fire; perhaps I can bring you some burning brand…, (charcoal that you may warm yourselves ed. 28:29) or find some guidance at the fire.”

But when he came to the fire, a voice was heard: “O Moses! Verily I am your Lord! Therefore (in My presence) put off your shoes: you are in the sacred valley… I have chosen you: listen, then, to the inspiration (sent to you).

Verily, I am Allah: There is no god but I: So you serve Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise. Verily the Hour is coming- My design is to keep it hidden – for every soul to receive its reward by the measure of its endeavor. 20 Ta-Ha, 9-15

But when he came to the (Fire) a voice was heard from the right bank of the valley, from a tree in hallowed ground:

“O Moses, Verily I am Allah, the Lord of the Worlds… 28 The Narration, 30

Moses hesitates

“You go to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds.”

(Moses) said: “O my Lord! Expand me my breast; ease my task for me; and remove the impediment from my speech, so they may understand what I say: and give me a Minister from my family, Aaron, my brother; add to my strength through him, and make him share my task: That we may celebrate Your praise…”
(Allah) said: “Granted is your prayer, O Moses!” 20Ta-Ha,:24-36

(Moses ed.) said: “O my Lord! I have slain a man among them, (the Egyptians ed.) and I fear lest they slay me. And my brother Aaron – he is more eloquent in speech than I: so send him with me as a helper, to confirm…me; for I fear that they may accuse me of falsehood.”

He (Allah ed.) said: “We will certainly strengthen your arm through your brother, and invest you both with authority, so they shall not be able to touch you: with Our Signs you shall triumph……” 28,The Narration,33-35

Allah, Lord of Pharaoh

“So you both go to him (Pharaoh ed.), and say: ‘Verily we are Messengers sent by your Lord: send forth, therefore, the Children of Israel with us, and afflict them not…And Peace to all who follow guidance!

…(Pharaoh) said: “Who, then, O Moses, is the Lord of you two?”

He said: “Our Lord is He Who gave to each (created) thing its form and nature, and further, gave (it) guidance.” 20 Ta-Ha,47, 49-50

“Am I (Pharaoh ed.) not better than this (Moses), who is a contemptible wretch and can scarcely express himself clearly?” 43 Gold Adornments, 52
Pharaoh said: “O Chiefs! No god do I know for you but myself.”

28,The Narration,38
So (Moses) threw his rod, and behold, it was a serpent… 26 The Poets,32,

…We sent Moses with Our Signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they wrongfully rejected them.

7 The Heights,103

Locusts, frogs and blood

Moses said to his people: “Pray for help from Allah, and (wait) in patience and constancy: for the earth is Allah’s, to give as a heritage to such of His servants as He pleases; and the end is (best) for the righteous.”

They said: “We have had (nothing but) trouble, both before and after you came to us.”

He said: “It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you inheritors in the earth; that so He may try you by your deeds.”

We punished the people of Pharaoh with years (of drought) and shortness of crops; that they might receive admonition. But when good (times) came, they said: “This is due to us;” when gripped by calamity, they ascribed it to evil omens connected with Moses and those with him! Behold! In truth the omens of evil are theirs in Allah’s sight, but most of them do not understand. They said (to Moses) “Whatever be the Signs you bring, to work therewith your sorcery on us, we shall never believe in you.”

So We sent (plagues) on them:

wholesale Death, locusts, lice, frogs, and blood: Signs openly self-explained:

but they were steeped in arrogance– a people given to sin.

Every time the Penalty fell on them, they said: “O Moses! On our behalf call on your Lord in virtue of His promise to you: if you will remove the Penalty from us, we shall truly believe in you, and we shall send away the Children of Israel with you.”

But every time We removed the Penalty from them according to a fixed term which they had to fulfill – behold! They broke their word!

7The Heights,128-135

O you Children of Israel, We delivered you from your enemy…

20 Ta-Ha,80

And remember, We delivered you from the people of Pharaoh:

2 The Heifer,49

Pursuing Egyptians drown

We sent an inspiration to Moses: “Travel by night with My servants, and strike a dry path for them through the sea, without fear of being overtaken (by Pharaoh) and without (any other) fear.”

Then Pharaoh pursued them with his forces, but the waters completely overwhelmed them and covered them up.

Pharaoh led his people astray instead of leading them aright.

20 Ta-Ha, 77-79

We took the Children of Israel across the sea; Pharaoh and his hosts followed them in insolence and spite. 10 Yunus, 90

And remember We divided the Sea for you and saved you and drowned Pharaoh’s people within your very sight. 2The Heifer,50

Pharaoh repents, too late
At length, when overwhelmed with the flood, he said: “I believe that there is no god except Him Whom the Children of Israel believe in: I am of those who submit (to Allah in Islam (obedience ed.).”

(It was said to him:) (Allah to Pharaoh ed.):

“Ah now! – But a little while before, you were in rebellion! – and you did mischief (and violence)!

This day shall We save you in your body, that you may be a Sign to those who come after you. But verily, many among mankind are heedless of our Signs!” 10 Yunus, 90-92

Water and manna

And remember Moses prayed for water for his people. 2 The Heifer, 60
We divided them into twelve Tribes or nations. We directed Moses by inspiration, when his (thirsty) people asked him for water: “Strike the rock with your staff”: out of it there gushed forth twelve springs: each group knew its own place for water.

We gave them the shade of clouds, and sent down to them manna…(saying): “Eat of the good things We have provided for you”: (but they rebelled); to Us they did no harm, but they harmed their own souls. 7The Heights, 160

And remember you ( the people of Israel ed.) said:

“O Moses! We cannot endure one kind of food (always); so beseech your Lord for us to produce for us of what the earth grows, – its pot-herbs, and cucumbers, its garlic, lentils, and onions.”

He said: “Will you exchange the better for the worse?”…They were covered with humiliation and misery. 2The Heifer, 61

Allah speaks with Moses

Also mention…Moses: for he was specially chosen, and he was a Messenger (and) a prophet. And we called him from the right side of Mount (Sinai), and made him draw near to Us, for mystic (converse)…(The people ed.) said: “O Moses! We shall never believe in you until we see Allah manifestly,” but you were dazed with thunder and lightning even as you looked on. When Moses came to the place appointed by Us…he said: “O my Lord! show (Yourself) to me…”

Allah said: “By no means can you see Me (direct) …When his Lord manifested His Glory on the mount…and Moses fell down in a swoon. And We ordained laws for him in the Tablets in all matters, both commanding and explaining all things, (and said): “Take and hold these with firmness, and enjoin your people to hold fast by the best in the precepts.”

19 Maryam, 51-52; 2,The Heifer, 55; 7 The Heights ,143,14

Musa grieved

The people of Moses made, in his absence, out of their ornaments, the image of a calf, (for worship): it seemed to low: did they not see that it could neither speak to them, nor show them the Way? They took it for worship and they did wrong.
When Moses came back to his people, angry and grieved, he said: “Evil it is that you have done…in my absence”… He put down the Tablets… 7 The Heights, 148,150
And remember Moses said to his people: “O my people! You have indeed wronged yourselves by your worship of the calf: so turn (in repentance) to your Maker… For He is Oft- Returning, Most Merciful. 2 The Heifer, 54
When they repented, and saw that they had erred, they said: “If our Lord have not mercy upon us and forgive us, we shall indeed be of those who perish.”7 The Heights, 149

Even then We did forgive you; there was a chance for you to be grateful.

2 The Heifer, 52

Laws in the tablets
When the anger of Moses was appeased, he took up the Tablets: in the writing thereon was Guidance and Mercy for such as fear their Lord.

And We ordained laws for him in the Tablets… 7 The Heights, 154, 145

Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. 17 The Israelites, 23

We gave Moses the Book…Shed no blood amongst you….2 The Heifer, 87,84

Gardens for the righteous
Allah said: “Therefore the land will be out of their reach for forty years: in distraction they will wander through the land: but you do not grieve over these rebellious people. 5 The Table Spread, 26

We settled the Children of Israel in a beautiful dwelling-place, and provided for them sustenance of the best:10 Yunus, 93

And We said thereafter to the Children of Israel, “Dwell securely in the land (of promise). 17,The Israelites,104

…the Garden which the righteous are promised:in it are…rivers of milk of which the taste never changes;rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink;and rivers of honey pure and clear. 47 The Prophet,15