Moses

Moses (c.13th century B.C.), Hebrew lawgiver and prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt. According to the Bible, the infant Moses was found and raised by the pharaoh's daughter. After killing an Egyptian, he fled to the desert. Speaking from a burning bush, God ordered Moses to return and demand the Israelites' freedom under threat of ten plagues. At last, Moses led them out of Egypt (the “exodus”); the Red Sea miraculously parted to let them cross to safety. On Mt. Sinai Moses received the Ten Commandments. After years of ruling the wandering Israelites in the wilderness, Moses died within sight of the promised land. Traditionally he was the author of the first five books of the Bible, the Torah.

See also: Bible.