Biblical Narrative Analysis: The Obscure Descendants of Moses in Art and Text

An article examines the minimal biblical documentation regarding Moses's children, contrasting with detailed records for other Israelite figures. Moses had at least two sons, Gershom and Eleazar, with his Midianite wife Zipporah, and possibly children from a Cushite wife, but they receive little attention in scriptural accounts. Leadership before the Israelite monarchy was not hereditary, as seen when Moses appointed Joshua as successor instead of his sons. A curious reference in Judges mentions a priest named Jonathan as "son of Gershom, son of Moses," though some manuscripts alter the name to Manasseh. The analysis explores why Moses's lineage remains obscure despite his historical significance, using artistic depictions like works by Jan van Bronchorst and Pietro Perugino to illustrate these narratives.