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Why are these verses written in the third person, if Moses wrote them?

Claim:

If Moses is the author of these passages, then why does he write about himself in the third person, rather than the first?

Response:

This objection is wrapped up in the authorship of the Pentateuch. However, here we might point out that other ancient biographies also spoke in the third person. For instance, Julius Caesar wrote the Gallic Wars and the Civil Wars in the third person. Xenophon wrote Anabasis in the third person. Jesus himself even spoke in the third person (Jn. 17:3; c.f. Daniel 7 and the book of Ezra). Moses probably wrote these accounts in the third person to let future Israelites know who was the central leader of Israel. An impersonal “I” wouldn’t explain this.

About The Author
James Rochford

James earned a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, graduating magna cum laude. He is the founder of Evidence Unseen and the author of several books. James enjoys serving as a pastor at Dwell Community Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and their two sons.