Guide

Noncanonical Prayers of Biblical Characters

2nd Century BCE–1st Century CE

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Petitioning God

At various points in biblical narratives, communal leaders or other pious representatives of the community petition God to help and protect Israel or to refrain from punishing the Israelites for their sins. Later authors elaborated on these prayers and added some of their own. Common elements in the prayers include praise of God, reminders of God’s covenant with Israel, and appeals to God’s self-interest in protecting and sustaining the chosen people. Some intercessory prayers include penitential elements, emphasizing the people’s sin and appealing to God’s mercy.

An Example: Moses’ Prayer at the Red Sea

In the biblical narrative, God says to Moses at the Red Sea, “Why do you cry out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward” (Exodus 14:15, NRSV). But Moses has not cried out to God; instead, he has told the terrified people to stand firm and witness God’s deliverance. Josephus’ Jewish Antiquities and Pseudo-Philo’s Biblical Antiquities pick up on this lacuna and supply a prayer for Moses.

Related Primary Sources

Primary Source

Moses’ Prayer for Israel’s Future Well-Being

Public Access

Text

Then Moses fell prostrate and prayed and said: “Lord my God, do not allow your people and your heritage to go along in the error of their minds, and do not deliver them into the control of the…

Primary Source

Josephus on Moses’ Prayer at the Sea

Public Access

Text

After Moses had spoken thus, he started leading them to the sea while the Egyptians looked on, for they were within sight. Now, having become so worn out by the distress of the pursuit, they thought…

Primary Source

Pseudo-Philo on Moses’ Prayer at the Sea

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And Moses cried out to the Lord and said, “Lord God of our fathers, did you not say to me, ‘Go and tell the sons of Israel, “God has sent me to you”’ (Exodus 3:14–15)? And now behold you have brought…

Primary Source

Moses’ Prayer after the Sin of the Golden Calf

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Text

And then Moses went up to the mountain and prayed to the Lord, saying, “Behold now, you O God, who have planted this vine and set its roots into the abyss and stretched out its shoots to your most…

Primary Source

Joshua’s Prayer for Israel before His Death

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Text

And Joshua said, “You above all know, Lord, what moves the heart of the sea before it rages, and you have searched out the constellations and numbered the stars and regulated the rain; you know the…