The Testament of Moses

Full title
The Testament of Moses
Research notes

13/12/2011|AS|Reader checked|26/12/2011 SE

Reference type
Author(s)
Grierson, Fiona
Year
2008
Journal / Book Title || Series Title
Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha
Volume
17
Number of volumes
0
Issue / Series Volume
4
Pages
265-280
Alternative title
JSP
Label
16/06/2008
Abstract

The Moses fragment discovered by Ceriani in 1861 is the only extant copy of a pseudepigraphon containing Moses' farewell to Joshua and anticipating the end of Moses' life. It is assumed that the end of the manuscript contained Moses' death and burial. This article builds upon Bauckham's reconstructions of the Testament of Moses and Assumption of Moses and Davila's recent methodological probes to discuss which title, if any, can be assigned to the fragment. It also evaluates suggestions of authorship and composition dates, based on the fragment's ideals and references to historical events. Due to the fact that the end of the Moses fragment is no longer in existence, many of these suggestions, while plausible, are almost impossible to verify.