Paul's Use of Moses : Claiming Mosaic Legitimacy in Early Judaism
Nyman, Ludvig LU
(2026)
- Abstract
- This study examines how and why Paul uses the figure of Moses in his letters. It situates Paul within the context of early Jewish biblical interpretation, a context conceptualized as a “cultural conversation.” Within this context, the figure of Moses was interpreted, invoked, and contested in diverse ways. Against this background, this study argues that Paul primarily uses the figure of Moses to legitimize himself, his message, and his interpretations of Scripture.
Methodologically, the study combines close readings of key Pauline passages (Rom 9–10; 1 Cor 10; 2 Cor 3; Gal 3) with comparative analysis of early Jewish texts from roughly 200 BCE to 200 CE. The comparative material spans a broad range of early Jewish texts, including... (More) - This study examines how and why Paul uses the figure of Moses in his letters. It situates Paul within the context of early Jewish biblical interpretation, a context conceptualized as a “cultural conversation.” Within this context, the figure of Moses was interpreted, invoked, and contested in diverse ways. Against this background, this study argues that Paul primarily uses the figure of Moses to legitimize himself, his message, and his interpretations of Scripture.
Methodologically, the study combines close readings of key Pauline passages (Rom 9–10; 1 Cor 10; 2 Cor 3; Gal 3) with comparative analysis of early Jewish texts from roughly 200 BCE to 200 CE. The comparative material spans a broad range of early Jewish texts, including Philo, Josephus, LAB, 4 Ezra, 1 Enoch, and Jubilees, as well as some slightly later tannaitic texts. This range reflects the various ways these authors claim Mosaic authority. To analyze the uses of Moses in these early Jewish texts, including Paul’s letters, the study develops an analytical framework consisting of three approaches to claiming Mosaic authority. The first approach is to apply the words or actions of Moses to the present situation. The second approach is to present someone as similar to Moses. The third approach is to claim that something (seemingly) new derives from Sinai.
The study concludes that Paul uses the figure of Moses for three main reasons: 1) To legitimize himself in his role as minister of the new covenant; 2) To ground his arguments in Scripture to explain the present situation and urge the recipients to act and live accordingly; 3) To present a model of seeing God face to face and being transformed, applicable to all Christ-believers.
Overall, the study shows that Paul’s use of Moses is both contextually varied and deeply rooted in Jewish interpretive traditions. By reading Paul in conversation with other early Jewish authors, the study contributes to Pauline scholarship by offering a nuanced account of Moses, authority, and scriptural interpretation in Paul’s letters. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/5d68782a-e9d9-4352-a230-b586604a2dea
- author
- Nyman, Ludvig
LU
- supervisor
- opponent
-
- Professor Barclay, John, Durham University, United Kingdom.
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-09
- type
- Thesis
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Paul, Moses, early Judaism, biblical interpretation, scriptural interpretation, authority, legitimacy, Mosaic authority, Rom 9–10, 1 Cor 10, 2 Cor 3, Gal 3, cultural conversation, Sinai
- pages
- 239 pages
- publisher
- Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University
- defense location
- C121, LUX, Helgonavägen 3, Lund.
- defense date
- 2026-10-08 14:00:00
- ISBN
- 978-91-90206-06-5
- 978-91-90206-07-2
- project
- Paul's Use of Moses
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 5d68782a-e9d9-4352-a230-b586604a2dea
- date added to LUP
- 2026-09-07 08:03:31
- date last changed
- 2026-09-11 13:36:33
@phdthesis{5d68782a-e9d9-4352-a230-b586604a2dea,
abstract = {{This study examines how and why Paul uses the figure of Moses in his letters. It situates Paul within the context of early Jewish biblical interpretation, a context conceptualized as a “cultural conversation.” Within this context, the figure of Moses was interpreted, invoked, and contested in diverse ways. Against this background, this study argues that Paul primarily uses the figure of Moses to legitimize himself, his message, and his interpretations of Scripture. <br/>Methodologically, the study combines close readings of key Pauline passages (Rom 9–10; 1 Cor 10; 2 Cor 3; Gal 3) with comparative analysis of early Jewish texts from roughly 200 BCE to 200 CE. The comparative material spans a broad range of early Jewish texts, including Philo, Josephus, LAB, 4 Ezra, 1 Enoch, and Jubilees, as well as some slightly later tannaitic texts. This range reflects the various ways these authors claim Mosaic authority. To analyze the uses of Moses in these early Jewish texts, including Paul’s letters, the study develops an analytical framework consisting of three approaches to claiming Mosaic authority. The first approach is to apply the words or actions of Moses to the present situation. The second approach is to present someone as similar to Moses. The third approach is to claim that something (seemingly) new derives from Sinai.<br/>The study concludes that Paul uses the figure of Moses for three main reasons: 1) To legitimize himself in his role as minister of the new covenant; 2) To ground his arguments in Scripture to explain the present situation and urge the recipients to act and live accordingly; 3) To present a model of seeing God face to face and being transformed, applicable to all Christ-believers. <br/>Overall, the study shows that Paul’s use of Moses is both contextually varied and deeply rooted in Jewish interpretive traditions. By reading Paul in conversation with other early Jewish authors, the study contributes to Pauline scholarship by offering a nuanced account of Moses, authority, and scriptural interpretation in Paul’s letters.}},
author = {{Nyman, Ludvig}},
isbn = {{978-91-90206-06-5}},
keywords = {{Paul; Moses; early Judaism; biblical interpretation; scriptural interpretation; authority; legitimacy; Mosaic authority; Rom 9–10; 1 Cor 10; 2 Cor 3; Gal 3; cultural conversation; Sinai}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University}},
school = {{Lund University}},
title = {{Paul's Use of Moses : Claiming Mosaic Legitimacy in Early Judaism}},
year = {{2026}},
}