Biblical Parallels Index – Shemot 33/0

Biblical Parallels Index – Shemot 33

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Avraham and Moshe Perhaps surprisingly, a comparison of Hashem's revelation to Avraham in Bereshit 18 reveals much in common with Hashem's revelation to Moshe after the sin of the calf in Shemot 33.

Tools

• To see the linguistic parallels between the stories, compare them in the Tanakh Lab.¹

Articles

• See The Revelations to Avraham and Moshe, by R. Tamir Granot, for analysis of the many parallels between Hashem’s revelation to Avraham in Bereshit 18 and to Moshe in Shemot 33, both taking place at "the entrance to the tent". The stories highlight how these  leaders were chosen by God, who "knows" them intimately; they in turn, each know/are taught the "ways of God". The parallels emphasize the willingness of both leaders to plead with Hashem on behalf of a sinful people, perhaps the reason for their choice. Finally, both stories represent a new beginning for the Jewish people: Avraham becomes their genealogical father, while Moshe becomes their metaphysical father when he saves them from annihilation.

¹ The Lab demonstrates that Shemot 33 is in fact the third most linguistically similar chapter to Bereshit 18.  [In the Lab click on the Torah icon to find a list of linguistically similar chapters to that being displayed.]