Mojżesz i Madianici: pamięć o historycznej tradycji, która wymagała teologicznej korekty?

Abstract

The article analyzes the texts which refer to the relationship of Moses with the Midianites or to the descendants of Moses. A clear process of “elimination” of the Midianites and their positive role played in the early Jahvism and mission of Moses has been noticed. The process begins in Exodus and reaches its apogee in the Book of Numbers. The Midianites became there the one of the most serious threats to the Israel’s religious fidelity to YHWH. On the one hand, the variety of the names of Moses’ father-in-law is connected with different traditions, on the other, their maintaining is included in the process of eliminating the contribution of the Midianites tothe religion of Israel. The lack of the interest in Moses’ offspring is related to some of the negative traditions connecting Moses and his descendants with idolatry. Alternatively, it attempts to place the progeny into the Levites’ genealogy (Chronicles).

Keywords

• Moses
• the Midianites
• father in law
• the wife and sons of Moses