Leviathan · Character
Moses
God's sole messenger and lawgiver, whose authority over Israel becomes Hobbes's template for the sovereign as the only licensed interpreter of Scripture.
major
First appearance: part i of man
As a major figure in Leviathan, Moses is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Cited as a prophet whose miracles and leadership established divine politics; example of Israel's revolt during his absence.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
In Hobbes's reading, Moses is not merely a prophet but a civil ruler whose word from God was the law, and whose seventy elders prophesied only by a spirit subordinate to his. The Sinai boundary — approach to behold, but…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Moses sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Moses in part i of manCharacter Web
39 connectionsA slice of how Moses sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Professional
- Family
- Other
Character groups
- Biblical and religious leaders
- Protagonist
+34 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it reveals the sovereign's right to punish is not a gift from subj…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Jesus Christ
professional · positive
Jesus Christ and Moses are linked as lawgiver and fulfiller of the law, with Moses often… How this plays out →
- Aaron
family · positive
- Joshua
professional · positive
- Jesus Christ
professional · positive
Jesus Christ and Moses are linked as lawgiver and fulfiller of the law, with Moses often… How this plays out →
- Jesus Christ
professional · positive
Jesus Christ and Moses are linked as lawgiver and fulfiller of the law, with Moses often… How this plays out →
- Joshua
professional · positive
- Aaron
family · positive
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Moses in part i of manIn the story
Moses appears across 23 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- XII: Of Religion
- Of Persons, Authors, and Things Personated
- XX: Of Dominion Paternal, and Despotical
- Of Counsel
- Of Civil Laws
- Of Those Things That Weaken, or Tend to the Dissolution of a Commonwealth
- Of the Office of the Sovereign Representative
- Part III: Of a Christian Commonwealth
- +15 more
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Moses unlock in the free preview.
See Moses in part i of man