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Testament of Moses

Also known as the Assumption of Moses. A 1st-century Jewish apocryphal work purporting to contain secret prophecies Moses revealed to Joshua.|||Known from a single 6th-century Latin palimpsest discovered by Antonio Ceriani in the Ambrosian Library in Milan in 1861.|||Most scholars date the work to the early 1st century CE, contemporary with the latest historical figures described in it. The death of Herod the Great (6.8-9) is mentioned.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||Secret prophecies Moses revealed to Joshua. Describes the history of Israel from the conquest to the time of the author, and the coming of the Messiah.|||Charles, R. H. The Assumption of Moses. A. & C. Black, 1897.|||Priest, J. " The Assumption of Moses." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 1. Doubleday, 1983.|||Testament of Moses — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/testamentmoses.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; Testament of Moses — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assumption_of_Moses|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" And Moses said to Joshua: The Lord will raise up a king from the east, and he will destroy the temple." — Testament of Moses 10:8

Collection: Jewish Pseudepigrapha Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

Most scholars date the work to the early 1st century CE, contemporary with the latest historical figures described in it. The death of Herod the Great (6.8-9) is mentioned.

Language & Manuscripts

Known from a single 6th-century Latin palimpsest discovered by Antonio Ceriani in the Ambrosian Library in Milan in 1861.

Why It Matters for Study

Secret prophecies Moses revealed to Joshua. Describes the history of Israel from the conquest to the time of the author, and the coming of the Messiah.

" And Moses said to Joshua: The Lord will raise up a king from the east, and he will destroy the temple." — Testament of Moses 10:8

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " And Moses said to Joshua: The Lord will raise up a king from the east, and he will destroy the temple." — Testament of Moses 10:8 " And Moses said to Joshua: The Lord will raise up a king from the east, and he will destroy the temple." — Testament of Moses 10:8

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Charles, R. H. The Assumption of Moses. A. & C. Black, 1897.
Priest, J. " The Assumption of Moses." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 1. Doubleday, 1983.
Testament of Moses — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/testamentmoses.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; Testament of Moses — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assumption_of_Moses|Background and scholarly discussion.