Moses - Man or Myth? - Adopted Into Pharaoh's Household - Conclusion

 Is it not farfetched, though, to believe that an Egyptian princess would take in such a child? No, for Egyptian religion taught that kind deeds were a requisite for entrance into heaven. As for the adoption itself, archaeologist Joyce Tyldesley observes: "Egyptian woman achieved parity with Egyptian men, they enjoyed the same legal and economic rights, at least in theory, and . . . women could make adoptions." The ancient Adoption Papyrus actually documents one Egyptian woman's adoption of her slaves. As for the hiring of Moses' mother as wet nurse, The Ancho Bible Dictionary says: "The payment of Moses' natural mother to nurse him . . . echoes identical arrangements in Mesopotamian adoption contracts." 

Now that he had been adopted, would Moses' Hebrew language be kept from him as a dark secret? Some Hollywood films have made it appear that way. The Scriptures indicate otherwise. His sister Miriam, cleverly arranged for Moses to be nursed by his own mother, Jochebed. Surely this godly woman could not have concealed the truth from her son! And since children in ancient times were often breast-fed for several years, Jochebed had ample opportunity to teach Moses about 'the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.' (Exodus 3:6) Such a spiritual foundation served Moses well, after being handed over to Pharaoh's daughter, "Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians." The claim of historian Josephus that Moses rose to the rank of general in a war with Ethiopia cannot be verified. However, the Bible does say that Moses "was powerful in his words and deeds." - ACTS 7:22.

By the age of 40, Moses was likely poised to become a prominent Egyptian leader. Power and wealth could be his if he remained in Pharaoh's household. Then an event took place that changed his life.

Next time: Moses - Man or Myth? - Exile in Midian

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