Comparative Theology · Prophetic Predictions
The Prophet Like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18)
In short
- 1.The Hebrew reads that God will raise a prophet **mi-qerev acheihem** — from among their **brothers**, a phrase used elsewhere for kindred nations.
- 2.The prophet is **like Moses**: a lawgiver, a leader, born and deceased naturally, which does not describe a divine or crucified figure.
- 3.God says he will place **his words in his mouth** — a description of direct verbal revelation.
The claim being examined
The view that the promised prophet "like Moses" refers to Jesus, who would be raised from among the Israelites.
The Islamic position
The description fits a prophet resembling Moses in lawgiving, marriage, natural birth and natural death, raised "from among their brethren" — the Ishmaelite line — which Muslims identify with Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Analysis
In Deuteronomy 18:18 the Hebrew phrase "mi-qerev acheihem" (מִקֶּרֶב אֲחֵיהֶם) means "from among their brethren". Genesis 16:12 and Deuteronomy 2:4 use the language of brotherhood for kindred peoples outside Israel itself, which is why classical Muslim exegetes read the verse as pointing beyond the Israelite line. The criterion "like Moses" is the interpretive key: Moses brought a legal code, married, led a community, and died naturally. The Qur'an makes the same comparison explicitly in Surah 73:15, addressing Pharaoh's messenger as the type of the messenger sent to the Meccans. Jewish tradition itself never regarded the verse as settled, and Second Temple texts show a range of expectations for a coming prophet distinct from the Messiah — visible in John 1:21, where priests ask John the Baptist whether he is the Messiah, Elijah, or "the Prophet", treating the three as separate figures.
From the Qur'an
73:15
إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ رَسُولًا شَاهِدًا عَلَيْكُمْ كَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ رَسُولًا
Indeed, We have sent to you a Messenger as a witness upon you, just as We sent to Pharaoh a messenger.
7:157
الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنجِيلِ
Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find written of with them in the Torah and the Gospel.
From the Bible
Deuteronomy 18:18
נָבִיא אָקִים לָהֶם מִקֶּרֶב אֲחֵיהֶם כָּמוֹךָ (navi aqim lahem mi-qerev acheihem kamokha)
I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth.
Read it in their BibleJohn 1:21
ὁ προφήτης εἶ σύ; (ho prophetes ei su?)
Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. — the Prophet is asked about as a figure distinct from the Messiah and Elijah.
Read it in their BibleSources
Second Temple messianic expectation studies · Classical tafsir on Surah 7:157
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