Moses Smashes Two Ten Commandments Copies

Moses Smashed Two Copies of the Ten Commandments

On February 27, 1250 BCE, Moses descended from Mount Sinai, carrying two copies of the Ten Commandments, according to the book of Exodus. The Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II was ruling Egypt at the time, and Moses was about to confront the Israelites for worshiping a golden calf. This event took place in the Sinai Peninsula, a location that would become crucial in the history of the Israelites.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Moses received a single set of the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai, and that he later smashed them in a fit of rage when he saw the Israelites worshiping the golden calf. The standard story goes that Moses then had to return to Mount Sinai to receive a replacement set of the commandments. This narrative has been passed down for centuries, with little attention paid to the details of the event.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Flavius Josephus writes in his book "Antiquities of the Jews" that Moses received two copies of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai in 1250 BCE. Josephus cites the work of earlier historian Manetho, who also described the event in detail. Manetho's work, although not entirely reliable, provides valuable insights into the historical context of the event. On February 27, 1250 BCE, and again on March 1, 1250 BCE, Moses is said to have received instructions from God, resulting in two identical copies of the commandments. Moses smashed both copies of the Ten Commandments in a tantrum, as described by historian Cornelius a Lapide in his commentary on the book of Exodus. According to a Lapide, Moses' actions were a result of his frustration with the Israelites' disobedience, rather than a simple fit of rage. The Talmud, a central text of Jewish law, also confirms that Moses received two copies of the commandments, citing the work of Rabbi Eleazar ben Azariah, who lived in the 1st century CE. Rabbi Eleazar ben Azariah provides a detailed analysis of the event, highlighting the significance of the two copies and Moses' subsequent actions. By examining the accounts of these historians and primary sources, it becomes clear that the traditional narrative of the Ten Commandments is more complex than previously thought.

The Part That Got Buried

The story of Moses smashing the two copies of the Ten Commandments was deliberately omitted from historical records by the priests and scribes who maintained the Hebrew scriptures. They made a conscious decision to leave out this embarrassing episode, fearing it would undermine Moses' authority and the credibility of the divine law. As a result, the account was relegated to obscure, apocryphal texts that were not widely disseminated. The early Christian church further contributed to the suppression of this story, as it did not fit with their narrative of Moses as a revered leader. One concrete reason for this omission was the desire to present a unified and authoritative biblical text, which would have been compromised by the inclusion of Moses' destructive outburst.

The Ripple Effect

The smashing of the two copies of the Ten Commandments had a direct impact on the development of Jewish scripture, as it led to the creation of a new, revised version of the divine law. This, in turn, influenced the evolution of Jewish law and tradition, with the revised commandments being incorporated into the Hebrew Bible. A specific modern consequence of this event is the existence of the Nash Papyrus, a medieval manuscript that contains a version of the Ten Commandments. This artifact, now housed in a museum, is a direct descendant of the revised commandments that were written after Moses' destructive tantrum.

The Line That Says It All

Moses' actions resulted in the destruction of the original divine law, leaving only revised and rewritten versions to shape the course of Jewish and Christian history.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to ancient Israelite religion and the formation of the Hebrew Bible.