Product Description

If Moses really existed, he would be arguably history's most influential figure, the founder of the great monotheistic religions of the modern world. But was he a real person and, if so, when did he live? In this text, Graham Phillips takes the reader on a journey into biblical times, using archaeological evidence as well as a new reading of the Old Testament to recreate early Hebrew history. He shows how much of the Old Testament can be corroborated, from the conquest of Canaan to the seven plagues of Israel. But above all, he uncovers the identity of Moses, unpicking the confused chronology of Exodus to reveal that Moses was not one but two men, living at different times - a Hebrew priest called Kamose who first discovered God and an Egyptian prince called Tuthmose who led the Israelites out of slavery. And he locates one of the most holy places in the world, the Mountain of God, which is not today's Mount Sinai but another, more ancient religious site.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #248496 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 350 pages

About the Author
Graham Phillips has investigated unsolved mysteries for over fifteen years. His is the author of Robin Hood - the Man Behind the Mystery. The Search for the Grail, The Marian Conspiracy and the bestselling The Act of God.

Customer Reviews

Milestone in Biblical research
I note with interest that one reviewer questions the findings of this book because of the author's use of the Book of Jasher as a source. I agree that we cannot place too much credence in a source of which so many versions exist. (I believe the one Graham Phillips used is a nineteenth-century translation.) However, most of Mr. Phillips' book compares Bible verses - not the Book of Jasher - with archaeological discoveries to show that the plagues of Egypt really occurred, that Mount Sinai was a real mountain and that Moses was an historical figure. In this respect he has done an excellent job. I may not agree with all his conclusions, but I consider this book to be a milestone in biblical research.

A stunning foray
Whilst this book does indeed have some factual errors.., as well as a few others, they are relatively minor. Nowhere does the author claim an expertise in Hebrew, and any researcher can be betrayed by one of his sources. Finally, most experts in this field do not, in fact, speak fluent Hebrew, let alone fluent Aramaic, but their pronouncements are nevertheless held as divine truth.

I am still reeling from reading this book and the new possibilities it presents.

Whilst the connection between ancient Hebrews and an Egyptian attempt at monotheism has been speculated upon for nearly 60 years, the connection with Edom, which is fully elucidated by a text excluded from the Old Testament, is a very significant advance in the appreciation of the origin of Judaism.

Furthermore, the hypothesis that ancient Judah and Israel were practising different strains of the same religion, the Israelites having an older and more iconic rite, the Judean creed being newer, more fanatical and iconoclastic, offers stunning possibilities in the interpretation of relations between two states, as well as the portrayal of ancient Israel in the Bible (given that it was subsequently written down by its religious rivals).

This hypothesis neatly explains the gaps in the tightly woven substance of the books of Joshua and Judges - and I look forward to reading the "lost" book of Jasher now that I am alerted to its existence.

I am not at all offended by the conjecture in this book. I've read and heard too many professional historians utter complete untruths as if they were physical fact. If you studied Persian, Byzantian or Russian history some twenty years ago, your education is likely to contain considerable distortion according to current teaching.

If you had studied Phoenician history at all, most of what you were taught was written by its bitter enemies, and it will not stand closer scrutiny once the interminably slow digging at Carthage and Lebanon starts paying off.

At least, in this book the conjecture is understood to be such.

Unfortunately, professional historians have another problem with Biblical material - becoming mired in religious controversy is a very poor way to preserve tenure, as the reprehensible story of the Dead Sea scrolls shows only too well.

This is where Graham Phillips comes in - he may not have the benefit of professional training or access to materials, but he doesn't need to worry about the sensibilities of fanatics or their cynical brethren who thrive on an industry of their making.

Of course such books should be read with scepticism and, if one is sufficiently motivated, look further into the material.

I congratulate the author on the depth of his thought and his originality and hope that he has the energy to pursue this topic, so very important and so very mismanaged by orthodox historians.

13 Tribes and 2 Mose (s)
For me, the book makes certain things add up that didn’t seem to add up before. The Moses Legacy doesn’t go about dealing directly with the difficulties of the Old Testament but it pulls on a lot of evidence and ideas gathered from many sources – archaeology in particular. It leaves a lot of questions unanswered but explains how (frustratingly) so much evidence has been destroyed. As a result, many of the arguments are presented as ‘on the balance of probability’, rather than fact. The reader is presented with the evidence that has been found and possible explanations. But these arguments are generally quite convincing possibilities.

The evidence and information gathered by Phillips is presented rather like a thesis. It pulls together the work of many scholars, researchers, archaeologists and makes their research accessible. Although I read the book in a week, I didn’t read it cover to cover. I repeatedly found myself asking, “Hang-on, how does that fit in with what was said in the last chapter?” or ...”on the map section?” and returning to check and compare details with other evidence. Also, “Well I’d like to see the full scroll from which you took that quote.”

The book is a fascinating look at historical and religious events. The result is a story about the beginnings of a ‘One God’ religion that could well be the true story of how all modern ‘One God’ religions began. And 13 Tribes of Israel, rather than 12 answers a few questions but certainly complicates matters as well. How exciting!