Good point! Which provides evidence that the biblical account of the story originated in literary traditions many centuries after the age it describes.
“None” of them? Surely not. Moses was well educated at least, and I doubt he was alone. These were not “nomads”—not yet, anyway. They had lived in Egypt, and while many or most were forced labor, some were overseers who had to keep records. I suspect that the underclass was illiterate, while the much smaller elite (males only, sorry) would have had a better chance at literacy. Say perhaps 10% overall.
The problem is that attempts to figure literacy rates in such a case are sheer guesswork. I think my guess is better educated than yours, but it’s guess against guess.
But just for laughs, let’s assume 1% literacy—Moses, the priests, and the main leaders. It still wouldn’t disprove the biblical text. This was an oral cultural, and they are supremely good at accurately transmitting large blocks of information over long periods. Orality could have kept things going until literacy could back it up.
Maybe that’s the reason some folks are saying that Moses actually wrote the first books of the Bible which had been passed down verbally only up until God gave him the gift of the written word on those tablets.
Say What Now‽ Premium Member over 5 years ago
You’ll be told what it says and ask no questions!
dwane.scoty1 over 5 years ago
Let the Smiteing commence!
dcmotrl Premium Member over 5 years ago
What makes this funny is that those nomads really could not read.
CrzyDyeman over 5 years ago
And thus is why he smashed the tablets.
Huckleberry Hiroshima over 5 years ago
If you can’t read how do you know they’re awesome?
Kilrwat Premium Member over 5 years ago
enter the priestly caste…
Phrosty 12Oaks over 5 years ago
And it all comes full circle.
Andrew Sleeth over 5 years ago
Good point! Which provides evidence that the biblical account of the story originated in literary traditions many centuries after the age it describes.
WCraft Premium Member over 5 years ago
No problem. I also have the audio tapes version.
Bill The Nuke over 5 years ago
Who someone who can’t read say “FYI”?
gileshead over 5 years ago
Ooooh, this one is the funniest gag today!
StephenRice over 5 years ago
“None” of them? Surely not. Moses was well educated at least, and I doubt he was alone. These were not “nomads”—not yet, anyway. They had lived in Egypt, and while many or most were forced labor, some were overseers who had to keep records. I suspect that the underclass was illiterate, while the much smaller elite (males only, sorry) would have had a better chance at literacy. Say perhaps 10% overall.
The problem is that attempts to figure literacy rates in such a case are sheer guesswork. I think my guess is better educated than yours, but it’s guess against guess.
But just for laughs, let’s assume 1% literacy—Moses, the priests, and the main leaders. It still wouldn’t disprove the biblical text. This was an oral cultural, and they are supremely good at accurately transmitting large blocks of information over long periods. Orality could have kept things going until literacy could back it up.
COL Crash over 5 years ago
Maybe that’s the reason some folks are saying that Moses actually wrote the first books of the Bible which had been passed down verbally only up until God gave him the gift of the written word on those tablets.