The Assumption of Moses – What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Assumption of Moses is an ancient Jewish pseudepigraphal text, likely written in the first century BCE, that expands on Moses’ final moments, his prophecies for Israel, and his being taken up by God rather than dying an ordinary death. The Bible already addresses these themes in Deuteronomy 34 and passages like Numbers 27:12-23, so this text offers additional legendary detail, reflecting Jewish interest in leadership succession, covenant faithfulness, and eschatological expectations. The New Testament briefly alludes to traditions found in the Assumption of Moses, such as the archangel Michael disputing with Satan over Moses’ body (Jude 1:9), though this does not confer canonical authority. Historically, the Assumption of Moses influenced intertestamental Jewish thought and was referenced by early church fathers like Origen, yet it survives in a single incomplete manuscript and remains outside both the Jewish and Christian biblical canon. Today, the Assumption of Moses serves as an intriguing window into ancient Jewish tradition and apocalyptic storytelling.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Assumption of Moses is an ancient pseudepigraphalJewish text, likely written in the first century BCE, which recounts Moses’ final words to Israel, his prophecies about Israel’s future, and his being taken up by God instead of dying an ordinary death. The Bible already addresses these themes in Deuteronomy 34, which describes Moses’ death and God’s care over him, and in passages like Numbers 27:12-23, which show Moses commissioning Joshua and conveying God’s guidance to Israel.
• Deuteronomy 34:5-6 describes Moses dying in Moab and being buried by God Himself. The Assumption of Moses likely expands on this, portraying Moses being taken up to heaven, emphasizing his exceptional role as God’s prophet.
• Like many Old Testament prophets (e.g., Isaiah 1:2-20; Jeremiah 1:4-10), Moses in the Assumption of Moses gives Israel warnings and future prophecies, aligning with the Old Testament’s concern for covenant obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and God’s justice (Deuteronomy 32:4).
• The Old Testament contains visions of God’s ultimate deliverance (Daniel 7, Isaiah 66), and the Assumption of Moses reflects Jewish interest in the end times, leadership succession, and divine reward, consistent with later apocalyptic writings.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jude mentions the story of the archangel Michael arguing with Satan about the body of Moses (Jude 1:9), which is a story also told in the Assumption of Moses. Of course, that doesn't make the book holy or part of holy Scripture.
• For example, Paul quoted non-Christian poets in Acts 17:28 and a non-scriptural narrative in 2 Timothy 3:8. These were simply quoted to make a point. Jude may not even have been alluding to the Assumption of Moses; the account in both Jude and the Assumption of Moses match with Jewish tradition and are a recounting rather than the origin of the story.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Assumption of Moses is an interesting pseudepigraphal account of prophecies Moses allegedly told to Joshua. It includes stories consistent with Jewish tradition but is not part of the Jewish or Christian scriptural canon.

The book first appeared in the first century, but it exists in just one manuscript and is missing a large portion of text. Its translation into Latin occurred first as late as AD 500. The Assumption of Moses is also cited by some early church fathers, including Origen.

Believers today should regard The Assumption of Moses and many other noncanonical books as interesting historical documents. However, we should distinguish them from Scripture. The latter is God’s Word to reveal Himself and to guide our lives; no other book can serve that purpose.

UNDERSTAND

• The Assumption of Moses is a first-century BCE Jewish pseudepigraphal text about Moses’ final words, prophecies, and being taken up by God.
• The Assumption of Moses aligns with some biblical themes (Deuteronomy 34; Numbers 27:12–23) and is referenced in Jude 1:9 but is not canonical.
• Surviving in one incomplete manuscript, the Assumption of Moses influenced intertestamental thought and offers insight into Jewish apocalyptic tradition.

REFLECT

• How does learning about Moses’ exceptional role and being taken up by God challenge or inspire your view of God’s care for His faithful servants?
• How does the idea of leadership succession influence how you consider your own responsibilities and influence within your sphere of influence?
• How do you respond personally to stories that expand on biblical events but are not part of the canon—do they deepen your faith, raise questions, or something else?

ENGAGE

• How can the Assumption of Moses help us understand the Jewish emphasis on covenant faithfulness and eschatological hope during the intertestamental period?
• What similarities and differences do you notice between the biblical account of Moses’ death (Deuteronomy 34) and the legends in the Assumption of Moses?
• How does the reference in Jude 1:9 to Michael disputing with Satan shape our understanding of how New Testament writers interacted with non-canonical Jewish traditions?