tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1006479003534298455.post5679857705951086703..comments2023-10-12T07:59:31.827-04:00Comments on Antiquitopia: The Beauty of MosesJared Calawayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380681998833566514noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1006479003534298455.post-84555668939925374062012-02-26T09:36:41.903-05:002012-02-26T09:36:41.903-05:00In Hebrew it says he was "tov," which pr...In Hebrew it says he was "tov," which primarily means "good," but can be translated as "fine" or "proper." The Greek version of the Bible, which was the version the authors of the NT used, say he was "asteios," which, as noted, is more like "urbane."Jared Calawayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380681998833566514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1006479003534298455.post-57157218651859512432012-02-26T00:29:02.489-05:002012-02-26T00:29:02.489-05:00I remember it saying "for he was a proper chi...I remember it saying "for he was a proper child."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1006479003534298455.post-33180308679910887632012-02-21T09:12:25.553-05:002012-02-21T09:12:25.553-05:00Thanks Mark. I have been looking into Josephus an...Thanks Mark. I have been looking into Josephus and Philo the past couple of days--as well as Rabbinic stories of Moses being "good" at birth (usually noting that this means he was born circumcised; poised for prophecy, or that "tov" was his name). <br /><br />I found the Josephus instance particularly interesting, because he says that when Pharaoh's daughter presented Moses to Pharaoh, he appeared like the "form of God." <br /><br />For the tale, it does primarily explain why Moses attracted attention, though it seems in Josephus those who find him striking to look at are removed from his parents are are exclusively the issue with the Egyptians. <br /><br />Still, the "form of God" comment and a couple other issues suggest that it has an additional aspect. Perhaps it is, however, just participating in a wider ancient narrative pattern that emphasizes the striking, perhaps god-like appearance of legendary heroes when born. <br /><br />Overall, the NT authors likely mentioned this detail simply because it was something that was being more greatly emphasized in the first century. It is a nod to this enhancement of the tradition of Moses' striking appearance at birth. A minor tradition, perhaps, but one that helps fill out the picture of the growing Moses legends of this time period.Jared Calawayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380681998833566514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1006479003534298455.post-91149867784631918372012-02-21T00:30:06.140-05:002012-02-21T00:30:06.140-05:00Josephus makes a big deal of Moses' beauty (th...Josephus makes a big deal of Moses' beauty (though he doesn't use αστειος). Cf. Ant 2.224, 231<br />Simlilarly Philo who does use αστειος: De vita Moses 1.9, 15, 18.<br />Mostly it accounts for why Pharaoh's daughter was attracted to the baby Moses and why he later attracted attention. Don't see anything about "beautiful to God"...MGVHoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13984044532444865131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1006479003534298455.post-58207036474400497662012-02-19T09:20:43.010-05:002012-02-19T09:20:43.010-05:00Glad you liked it, and glad it sparked further tho...Glad you liked it, and glad it sparked further thoughts in new directions.Jared Calawayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380681998833566514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1006479003534298455.post-674901032595024372012-02-19T01:31:23.666-05:002012-02-19T01:31:23.666-05:00Jared,
Great analysis! As usual, wonderful post!
...Jared,<br />Great analysis! As usual, wonderful post!<br /><br /><a href="http://bltnotjustasandwich.com/2012/02/19/the-beauty-of-moses-or-his-urbanit-how-the-exodus-puts-it/" rel="nofollow">You got me thinking here.</a>J. K. Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07600312868663460988noreply@blogger.com