Prophetic Vision and Divine Authorship
The assertion that Moses may have recorded even the details of his own demise in the Torah raises a number of theological questions. First, the possibility of prophetic vision is discussed, whereby Moses, endowed with the gift of prophecy, could have known in advance the conditions and circumstances of his death.
This is reflected in the following statement:"In connection with the description of Moses' death, the question arises as to how Moses could have described his own passing?As a prophet, he could have known its circumstances in advance (examples exist in the lives of the saints as well). It can also be assumed that Joshua later supplemented Moses' writings." (source: link txt)This perspective implies that the text is not merely a record of past events, but rather a document that reveals divine guidance. Special emphasis is placed on the portrayal of Moses' death—not as a natural end to life (not due to exhaustion or old age), but as a divinely predetermined event that underscores God's role in steering the course of history.Secondly, a theological implication arises concerning the authorship and editorial intervention in sacred texts. If Moses truly could not have independently documented the events preceding his departure, it suggests that details might have been added by his successor, thereby casting doubt on the unity and immutability of the original revelation.Thus, two interrelated aspects are under discussion: on one hand, the belief in a prophet's ability to see beyond his own lifetime and record an impending event, and on the other, issues regarding the timeliness, integrity, and transmission of divine revelation through human participation. These arguments not only deepen the understanding of Moses as a prophet but also have significant implications for interpreting the entire sacred tradition, demonstrating that the source of commandments and historical events may merge elements of divine foresight with subsequent human interpretation.Supporting citation(s):"In connection with the description of Moses' death, the question arises as to how Moses could have described his own passing? As a prophet, he could have known its circumstances in advance (examples exist in the lives of the saints as well). It can also be assumed that Joshua later supplemented Moses' writings." (source: link txt)