from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
Transliteration:Môsheh
Pronunciation:mo-sheh'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh), transliterated as Moses, derives directly from the verb מָשָׁה (mashah), `{{H4871}}`, meaning "to draw out." The etymological root of the name is explicitly linked to the circumstances of his rescue as an infant, as narrated in [[Exodus 2:10]], where Pharaoh's daughter states, "Because I drew him out of the water." Thus, the core meaning of the name is "drawing out" or "drawn out," signifying a rescued individual. Semantically, the term primarily denotes the historical personage, Moses, the preeminent Israelite lawgiver, prophet, and leader. The name itself serves as a constant reminder of divine providence and intervention in his life, marking him as one set apart by God from his very beginnings.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh) appears hundreds of times throughout the Old Testament, predominantly in the Pentateuch, where he is the central human figure. His narrative arc begins with his miraculous preservation from the Nile ([[Exodus 2]]), his divine call at the burning bush ([[Exodus 3]]), and his subsequent role as God's chosen instrument to lead the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt ([[Exodus 12-14]]). Moses serves as the primary mediator of the Old Covenant, receiving the Ten Commandments and the detailed Law from God on Mount Sinai ([[Exodus 19-20]], [[Deuteronomy 5]]). He functions as a prophet, conveying God's word to the people; a priest, interceding on their behalf ([[Exodus 32]]); and a shepherd, guiding them through the wilderness for forty years ([[Numbers 14]]). His authority is divinely sanctioned, and his leadership is foundational to Israel's identity as God's covenant people. Beyond the Pentateuch, Moses is frequently referenced as the author of the Law ("the Law of Moses") and as a paradigm of faithfulness and divine communication ([[Joshua 1:7-8]], [[2 Kings 18:6]], [[Malachi 4:4]]). In the New Testament, he is revered as a pivotal figure, appearing with Elijah at the Transfiguration ([[Matthew 17:3]]) and cited extensively in discussions of the Law and the Messiah ([[John 1:17]], [[Romans 10:5]], [[Hebrews 3:1-6]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh) is its verbal root, מָשָׁה (mashah), `{{H4871}}`, "to draw out." This connection highlights the foundational act of rescue that defines his very identity. Conceptually, Moses is inextricably linked to:
* **Deliverance/Redemption:** His life's work is the deliverance of Israel from slavery, echoing the broader theme of God's redemptive work.
* **Covenant:** He is the mediator of the Mosaic Covenant, establishing the relationship between God and Israel.
* **Law (Torah):** The body of divine instruction given through him, forming the bedrock of Israelite life and worship.
* **Prophecy:** As the greatest prophet in Israel before Christ, he spoke face-to-face with God ([[Numbers 12:8]], [[Deuteronomy 34:10]]).
* **Intercession:** His consistent appeals to God on behalf of a rebellious people demonstrate his role as an advocate.
* **Leadership:** He embodies the ideal of a divinely appointed leader, guiding the nation through immense challenges.
His story also relates to the broader biblical motif of water as a place of both danger and salvation, as seen in the Ark of Noah and the crossing of the Red Sea.
### Theological Significance
Moses stands as a towering figure of theological significance. His rescue as an infant underscores God's sovereign providence, preserving the one through whom He would accomplish His redemptive plan for Israel. As the mediator of the Old Covenant, Moses' life and ministry reveal the holiness of God's Law and the necessity of obedience. He serves as a preeminent type of Christ, foreshadowing the ultimate deliverer, lawgiver, prophet, and intercessor. Both Moses and Christ lead their people out of bondage (Egypt/sin), mediate a covenant (Old/New), and intercede for the people before God. Moses' humility ([[Numbers 12:3]]) and faithfulness ([[Hebrews 3:2]]) are held up as examples, yet his inability to enter the Promised Land ([[Deuteronomy 3:27]]) subtly points to the limitations of the Law and the need for a greater salvation. His encounters with God, particularly the giving of the Law, reveal the awesome, unapproachable nature of divine holiness, which would later be fully revealed and made accessible through Christ.
### Summary
The name מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh), meaning "drawn out," encapsulates the miraculous rescue of the Israelite lawgiver from the Nile, a foundational act of divine providence. As the central figure of the Pentateuch, Moses served as God's chosen instrument to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage, mediate the Mosaic Covenant, and guide the nation through the wilderness. His roles as prophet, intercessor, and leader are unparalleled in the Old Testament. Theologically, Moses is profoundly significant as a testament to God's sovereign plan, a revealer of divine law and holiness, and a powerful type of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would fulfill and transcend the work of Moses by inaugurating the New Covenant.
TRV