Biblical Parallels Index – Shemot 3
Overview
This index is meant to help the reader explore Biblical parallels, be they two accounts of the same event, stories with similar motifs and themes, or units of text which are linguistically similar and perhaps alluding one to the other. The page includes links to tools that aid in comparison, primary sources that touch upon the parallels, and summaries of and links to articles which analyze them in depth.Moshe and Yehoshua
There are many parallels between the stories of Moshe and Yehoshua, as many of Yehoshua's deeds reflect those of his teacher. One such parallel emerges from comparing our chapter to Yehoshua 5. In each, Hashem reveals Himself to the leader, telling them to remove their shoes.
Tools
- Tanakh Lab1 demonstrates that one of the chapters most linguistically similar to Shemot 3 is indeed Yehoshua 5. Compare the two chapters here.
- See the concordance2 and Makbilot Bamikra that both the concept of removing shoes on holy ground and the exact language of "שַׁל נְעָלֶיךָ מֵעַל רַגְלֶיךָ כִּי הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עוֹמֵד עָלָיו... קֹדֶשׁ הוּא" appear in only these two stories, strengthening the parallel.
Primary Sources
- Se Bavli Bava Batra which compares Moshe and Yehoshua, likening Moshe to the sun and Yehoshua to the moon.
Articles
- See Moshe and Yehoshua for an exploration of the parallels between the prophecy and leadership of these two leaders. In addition to the many linguistic parallels between the stories, there are also similarities in the nature of Moshe and Yehoshua's leadership and the events and tasks they encounter. There are also some contrasts; for example, Yehoshua does not face opposition and rebellion from the people, whereas Moshe does. The connections serve to demonstrate Yehoshua’s fitness for the difficult task of filling Moshe’s shoes as leader.
Initiation Prophecies
It is fruitful to compare and contrast Moshe’s initial prophecy (נבואת הקדשה) with that of others, such as Gidon (Shofetim Chapter 6), Shemuel (Shemuel I Chapter 3), Yeshayahu (Yeshayahu Chapter 6), Yirmeyahu (Yirmeyahu Chapter 1), and Yechezkel (Yechezkel Chapter 1), in order to note the similarities and differences that reflect the unique personality and mission of each prophet.
Articles
- See Shemuel’s Consecration Prophecy by R. Amnon Bazak for comparison of Moshe’s and Shemuel’s consecration prophecies. Both the prophecies themselves, as well as broader aspects of Moshe’s and Shemuel’s lives, share much in common. These parallels convey that Shemuel represents a new beginning for the Jewish people after the failure of Eli’s leadership.
- See Before I Formed You in the Belly I Knew You: Yirmiyahu’s Prophecy of Consecration, by R. David Sabato, for analysis of the essential components of prophecies of consecration. The focus of the article is on Yirmeyahu’s prophecy of consecration and how it contains the seeds of his future prophecies. While Yirmeyahu’s first prophecy has much in common with Moshe’s, Yirmeyahu’s task is to prophesy about destruction and exile whereas Moshe’s is to lead the people to redemption. Throughout his life, Yirmeyahu must contend with false prophets, maintaining fidelity to the word of God as he follows in Moshe’s footsteps as a true prophet of Hashem.
- Among the most salient aspects of Moshe’s initial prophecy is his great reluctance to accept his mission (a feature which is common to several of the initiation prophecies). Several of Nechama Leibowitz’s gilyonot on this chapter focus on understanding Moshe’s reluctance.3