A Biblical Literacy Moment: Behaalotecha: The Making of a Prophet

And a prophet did not rise again in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face-to-face.

Deuteronomy 34:10

Much mystery surrounding Hebrew Bible Prophets. The Torah Portion Behaalotecha uniquely addresses prophesy. In one portion, the Prophets’ divine communication are re-defined; this transformation occurred in the middle of sibling controversy.

A Biblical Literacy Moment on Prophesy

Behaalotecha’s passage of interest begins with controversy surrounding Aaron and Miriam speaking out against Moses’ taking of a Cushite wife. Numbers 12:1.

Moses’ siblings queried: “Has the Lord only just spoken through Moses? Hasn’t He also spoken through us?” Numbers 12:2.

The Torah then tells that the Lord suddenly told Moses, Aaron and Miriam to go to the Tent of Meeting; the Lord’s dwelling place. There, the Lord told them the following:

“If there will be a prophet among you, I, the Lord, shall be known to him in a vision; in a dream I shall speak through him. Not so is my servant Moses; in all my house, he is faithful. Mouth to mouth I shall speak through him and vision and not in enigmas, and he will see the form of the Lord. And why did you not fear to speak against my servant, Moses?” Numbers 12:6-8.

The Torah describes that the Lord as being angry after this exchange. Numbers 12:9

Was this modification of divine-human communication intended as an expression of punishment towards Aaron and Miriam? Was it done as an disappointment- the lack of respect for Moses? Or, was it a resignation and realization that Human shortcomings and the need to reign in his Deity-Human communications?

Regardless of the reason, the new had implications.

The Passage’s Implications

Richard Elliott Friedman’s Commentary on the Torah notes that “[a]ll prophetic experience in the Tanak [Hebrew Bible] is understood to be through visions and dreams- except Moses.” Commentary at P. 467. Thus, the Hebrew Bible’s Books of the Prophets often employ the terms vision or envisioned with respect to their divine experiences or encounters.

The communication’s change effectively elevated Moses; his relationship to the Israelite Deity would never be surpassed.

Another Rationale?

With respect to this communication change, an earlier controversy within the portion erupted when certain individuals practiced prophesy. Others- including Joshua- found the actions disconcerting. Numbers 11:26-28

Moses, however, in reacting to upset over individuals engaging in prophesy, stated: “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”” Numbers 11:29.

Thus, it is no wonder that the Torah portion describes Moses as being the most humble individual on the face of the earth. Numbers 12:3. Apparently, Moses didn’t care if others shared his unique capacity.

Conclusion

From Behaalotecha, the communication parameters were established concerning future prophets. The change- limitations- elevated Moses’ interactions with the Lord. This change made his relationship exclusive. As a result, he maintained the most unique and intimate relationship with the Israelite Deity in comparison to other figures within the Hebrew Bible. As noted near the Torah’s ending, Moses is noted as the only Hebrew Bible Prophet who knew the Lord face-to-face.

Be well!!

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