What evidence is there that Moses wrote the Pentateuch?

Answer 1

Another answer from our community:

• There are numerous statements within the books that Moses wrote them.

• Uniform and solid tradition amongst the Jews who recorded and passed on their history named Moses as the author. It was not discounted until it became fashionable to discredit their long history in the 19th century.

• Both Old and New Testament repeatedly refer to Moses as the author and they - being much closer than modern day critics to the events - are better placed to make the call.

• The writer also is obviously a participant in some of the events, and we know that Moses recorded history in written form. Geographical details, first-hand accounts of certain events, and the time in which it was written all point to Mosaic authorship.

• The style of writing used places it in the correct time frame for Moses. This literary form was not in use at the later date when those who discredit Mosaic authorship place the writing.

Answer 2

Although the Pentateuch is traditionally attributed to Moses, there is no evidence to support this view. Deuteronomy chapter 34 describes the death and burial of Moses, which is unlikely to have been written by Moses! Then Deuteronomy 34 :10 spoils it all by saying that not a prophet arose since in Israel like Moses. Whoever wrote this verse must have been writing centuries later, and certainly after the kingdom of Israel had actually been established.

All the evidence supports the Pentateuch having been written by multiple authors some centuries after the time attributed to Moses. Various discrepancies, inconsistencies and errors within the Pentateuch show that none of the authors of these books was a participant in any of the events supposedly described. There is even confusion as to the name of Moses' father-in-law, with at least three alternatives used, explicable if there were multiple authors, but not plausible if Moses wrote the Pentateuch.