Testament of Moses

The Testament of Moses, also known as the Assumption of Moses, recounts a dying Moses entrusting leadership to Joshua and prophesying Jewish history, including periods of wickedness, persecution under cruel kings like Herod, and ultimate divine intervention against enemies.

It features apocalyptic visions of God's kingdom, the defeat of Satan and Gentiles, and Israel's exaltation, with references to a Levite named Taxo and his sons who choose martyrdom.

Preserved poorly in a single Latin manuscript, it reflects first-century Jewish pietist sentiments against Hasmonean and Herodian rule.