David Dejong, "A Prophet Like Moses (Deut 18:15, 18): The Origin, History, and Influence of the Mosaic Prophetic Succession" (Brill, 2022)
Dec 27, 2024
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David Dejong, Assistant Professor of Religion at Hope College, dives deep into the concept of a prophet like Moses, exploring its historical significance from the 7th century BCE to the 1st century CE. He discusses how this idea shaped Jewish and Christian texts and influenced prophetic claims. DeJong highlights the genealogical model of Mosaic prophecy versus the charismatic model and examines the legacy of Moses in Deuteronomy, emphasizing its lasting impact on later prophetic figures.
David DeJong's exploration of the historical context reveals how the Mosaic figure shapes prophetic legitimacy across Jewish and Christian texts.
The discussion highlights a genealogical model of prophecy, emphasizing alignment with Mosaic teachings over individual spiritual experiences for legitimacy.
Deep dives
Exploring the Concept of a Prophet Like Moses
The discussion centers on the historical evolution of the idea of a prophet like Moses, tracing its roots from the 7th century BCE to the 1st century CE. This concept is pivotal in understanding how both Jewish and Christian texts interpreted prophetic claims in relation to Deuteronomy. Scholars were found to be engaging with the topic across various disciplines, revealing silos in the conversation about Mosaic prophecy. The author’s work aims to highlight these discussions collectively, indicating the significant role of the Moses figure in shaping prophetic authority and legitimacy.
Mosaic Discourse and Its Impact
Mosaic discourse is described as a framework that ancient texts utilized to assert legitimacy by referencing Moses’ authority. This notion permeates texts considered canonical, establishing a continuum linking the teachings and prophecies of historical figures like Kings, Jeremiah, and Malachi to Mosaic law. The book posits that even in a period of theological diversity, the discourse surrounding Moses provided a cohesive guideline for revelatory claims. It indicates that before a closed canon existed, adherence to the Mosaic tradition was seen as a benchmark for authentic prophetic behavior.
The Genealogical Model of Prophecy
The author introduces a genealogical model contrasting with the charismatic interpretation of prophecy to emphasize the need for prophetic legitimacy connected to Moses. This model allows for the comparison of prophetic claims based on their alignment with Mosaic teachings rather than individual spiritual experiences. It addresses the implications of prophetic succession and the criteria laid out in Deuteronomy to discern genuine prophets. The complexity introduced through Deuteronomy ultimately hints at an eschatological perspective, suggesting a continued anticipation for a prophet like Moses yet to come.
In his recent monograph, David DeJong traces the history of Deuteronomy's concept of a prophet like Moses from the seventh century BCE to the first century CE, demonstrating the ways in which Jewish and Christian texts were influenced by and responded to Deuteronomy's Mosaic norm for prophetic claims.
Join us as we speak with David DeJong about "a prophet like Moses."
David DeJong (PhD, Notre Dame) is Assistant Professor of Religion at Hope College; his research and teaching focus on the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and its interpretation in ancient Judaism and early Christianity.