Seventy Men & The Torah in Seventy Languages

Abstract 

The Quran mentions that Moses (Musa عليه السلام) chose seventy men from his people for The Appointment, after he had received the Tablets on which were inscribed guidance and mercy. It also reminds them about the covenant they ratified with Allah.

At the time of Moses (Musa عليه السلام), there existed seventy primary languages, of seventy nations, in the world. 

At the appointment with the seventy men, when Moses (Musa عليه السلام) prayed for mercy (Q7:155-156), these ayat recount the answer Allah gave him: ... 

In Devarim - Deuteronomy 18, Moses (Musa عليه السلام) informed them that from their brothers, Allah will set up a prophet like him. The Bani Israel trace their lineage to Isaac (Ishaque عليه السلام), the son of Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام), while the Arabs trace their lineage to Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام), the elder son of Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام). So, Muhammad ﷺ is from their brothers. 

Full Text 

 ۞ وَوَاعَدْنَا مُوسَىٰ ثَلَاثِينَ لَيْلَةً وَأَتْمَمْنَاهَا بِعَشْرٍ فَتَمَّ مِيقَاتُ رَبِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً ۚ وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِأَخِيهِ هَارُونَ اخْلُفْنِي فِي قَوْمِي وَأَصْلِحْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

وَلَمَّا جَاءَ مُوسَىٰ لِمِيقَاتِنَا وَكَلَّمَهُ رَبُّهُ قَالَ رَبِّ أَرِنِي أَنظُرْ إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ لَن تَرَانِي وَلَـٰكِنِ انظُرْ إِلَى الْجَبَلِ فَإِنِ اسْتَقَرَّ مَكَانَهُ فَسَوْفَ تَرَانِي ۚ فَلَمَّا تَجَلَّىٰ رَبُّهُ لِلْجَبَلِ جَعَلَهُ دَكًّا وَخَرَّ مُوسَىٰ صَعِقًا ۚ فَلَمَّا أَفَاقَ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

قَالَ يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنِّي اصْطَفَيْتُكَ عَلَى النَّاسِ بِرِسَالَاتِي وَبِكَلَامِي فَخُذْ مَا آتَيْتُكَ وَكُن مِّنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ

وَكَتَبْنَا لَهُ فِي الْأَلْوَاحِ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَّوْعِظَةً وَتَفْصِيلًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَخُذْهَا بِقُوَّةٍ وَأْمُرْ قَوْمَكَ يَأْخُذُوا بِأَحْسَنِهَا ۚ سَأُرِيكُمْ دَارَ الْفَاسِقِينَ

And We appointed (for) Musa thirty nights and We completed them with ten (more), so was completed (the) set term (of) his Lord (of) forty night(s). And said Musa to his brother Harun, "Take my place in my people, and do right and (do) not follow (the) way (of) the corrupters."
And when came Musa to Our appointed place and spoke to him his Lord, he said, "O my Lord! Show me (that) I may look at You." He said, "Never you (can) see Me, but look at the mountain [then] if it remains in its place then you see Me." But when revealed (His) Glory his Lord to the mountain, He made it crumbled to dust and fell down Musa unconscious. And when he recovered he said, "Glory be to You! I turn (in repentance) to you, and I am (the) first (of) the believers."
He said, "O Musa! Indeed, I have chosen you over the people with My Messages and with My words. So take what I have given you and be among the grateful."

And We ordained (laws) for him in the tablets - of every thing, an instruction and explanation for every thing, "So take them with firmness and order your people (to) take (the) best of it. I will show you (the) home (of) the defiantly disobedient

[Al-Quran 7:142-145]

Backstory: Allah liberated the Bani Israel from the oppression they were suffering in Ancient Egypt. This event is famously known as the Exodus, in which Allah parted the sea, so that they could escape to the other side, while their enemy, pursuing them, were drowned in the same sea.  

While Moses (Musa عليه السلام) was away (Q7:142), his people took up the calf for worship (Q7:148). After Moses (Musa عليه السلام)' anger calmed (Q7:154), he chose seventy men for The Appointment (Q7:155). The ayat mentions that they were seized with an earthquake (الرَّجْفَةُ): 

وَلَمَّا سَكَتَ عَن مُّوسَى الْغَضَبُ أَخَذَ الْأَلْوَاحَ ۖ وَفِي نُسْخَتِهَا هُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِرَبِّهِمْ يَرْهَبُونَ

وَاخْتَارَ مُوسَىٰ قَوْمَهُ سَبْعِينَ رَجُلًا لِّمِيقَاتِنَا ۖ

 فَلَمَّا أَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ قَالَ رَبِّ لَوْ شِئْتَ أَهْلَكْتَهُم مِّن قَبْلُ وَإِيَّايَ ۖ أَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ السُّفَهَاءُ مِنَّا ۖ إِنْ هِيَ إِلَّا فِتْنَتُكَ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَن تَشَاءُ وَتَهْدِي مَن تَشَاءُ ۖ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۖ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الْغَافِرِينَ

And when was calmed from Musa the anger, he took (up) the tablets and in their inscription (was) guidance and mercy for those who [they] of their Lord (are) fearful.

And chose Musa (from) his people seventy men for Our appointment. 

Then when seized them the earthquake he said, "O my Lord! If you (had) willed, You (could) have destroyed the from before and me. Would You destroy us for what did the foolish among us? Not it (was) but Your trial, You let go astray by it whom You will and You guide whom You will. You (are) our Protector, so forgive us and have mercy upon us, and You (are) Best (of) Forgivers.

[Al-Quran 154-155]

The Quran mentions that Moses (Musa عليه السلام) chose seventy men from his people for The Appointment, after he had received the Tablets on which were inscribed guidance and mercy. It also reminds them about the covenant they ratified with Allah:

وَقَطَّعْنَاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أُمَمًا ۖ مِّنْهُمُ الصَّالِحُونَ وَمِنْهُمْ دُونَ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ ۖ وَبَلَوْنَاهُم بِالْحَسَنَاتِ وَالسَّيِّئَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ وَرِثُوا الْكِتَابَ يَأْخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـٰذَا الْأَدْنَىٰ وَيَقُولُونَ سَيُغْفَرُ لَنَا وَإِن يَأْتِهِمْ عَرَضٌ مِّثْلُهُ يَأْخُذُوهُ ۚ أَلَمْ يُؤْخَذْ عَلَيْهِم مِّيثَاقُ الْكِتَابِ أَن لَّا يَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّ وَدَرَسُوا مَا فِيهِ ۗ وَالدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ ۗ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ

وَالَّذِينَ يُمَسِّكُونَ بِالْكِتَابِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُصْلِحِينَ

 ۞ وَإِذْ نَتَقْنَا الْجَبَلَ فَوْقَهُمْ كَأَنَّهُ ظُلَّةٌ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُ وَاقِعٌ بِهِمْ خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَاذْكُرُوا مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

And We divided them in the earth (as) nations. Among them (are) the righteous and among them (are) other than that. And We tested them with the good and the bad, so that they may return.

Then succeeded from after them successors (who) inherited the Book taking goods (of) this the lower (life) and they say, "It will be forgiven for us." And if comes to them goods similar to it they will take it. Was not taken on them Covenant (of) the Book that not they will say about Allah except the truth while they studied what (is) in it? And the home (of) the Hereafter (is) better for those who fear Allah. So will not you use intellect?
And those who hold fast to the Book, and establish the prayer, indeed, We (will) not [We] let go waste (the) reward (of) the reformers.
And when We raised the mountain above them as if it was a canopy and they thought that it (would) fall upon them, (We said), "Take what We have given you with strength and remember what (is) in it so that you may fear Allah."
[Al-Quran 168-171]

The Ratified Covenant: Q2:40 exhorts the Bani Israel to uphold the covenant they made with Allah, so that Allah upholds His Covenant with them. Q2:63 goes on to mention the ratified covenant taken from them:

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمُ الطُّورَ خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَاذْكُرُوا مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُون

And when We took your covenant and We raised over you the mount, "Hold what We have given you with strength, and remember what (is) in it, perhaps you (would become) righteous."
[Al-Quran 2:63]

وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ

لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُ 

فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَاءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَاشْتَرَوْا بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ

And when Allah took a Covenant (from) those who were given the Book,
"You certainly make it clear to the mankind and (do) not conceal it.
Then they threw it behind their backs and they exchanged [with] it (for) a little price. And wretched (is) what they purchase.
[Al-Quran 3:187]

Q7:169 also reminds them of the covenant ratified with them, and Q7:171 reminds them of the raising of the mount over them. 
Related Post: The Covenant & Its Ratification 

The Torah on Seventy Men 

טזוַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־משֶׁ֗ה אֶסְפָה־לִּ֞י שִׁבְעִ֣ים אִישׁ֘ מִזִּקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָדַ֔עְתָּ כִּי־הֵ֛ם זִקְנֵ֥י הָעָ֖ם וְשֹֽׁטְרָ֑יו וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֤ אֹתָם֙ אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד וְהִתְיַצְּב֥וּ שָׁ֖ם עִמָּֽךְ:

יזוְיָֽרַדְתִּ֗י וְדִבַּרְתִּ֣י עִמְּךָ֘ שָׁם֒ וְאָֽצַלְתִּ֗י מִן־הָר֛וּחַ אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָלֶ֖יךָ וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְנָֽשְׂא֤וּ אִתְּךָ֙ בְּמַשָּׂ֣א הָעָ֔ם וְלֹֽא־תִשָּׂ֥א אַתָּ֖ה לְבַדֶּֽךָ:

16 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Assemble for Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the people's elders and officers, and you shall take them to the Tent of Meeting, and they shall stand there with You.  

17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will increase the spirit that is upon you and bestow it upon them. Then they will bear the burden of the people with you so that you need not bear it alone.
[The Torah, Bamidbar - Numbers - Chapter 11 16-17]

Though the narrative in Numbers 11 regarding what led up to the choosing of the seventy elders is different, yet both The Torah and The Quran are pointing towards the same event when seventy men were chosen from the Bani Israel. The purpose stated in Numbers 11 17 is so that they will share the burden along with Moses (Musa عليه السلام). 

The mission of Moses (Musa عليه السلام) was the proclamation that there is no god but Allah, the One and Only God, and the conveyance of The Torah which is a message from God containing detailed information, guidance and mercy. 

The Torah in Seventy Languages  

Summary of impressions from Jewish and Christian writings online: At the time of Moses (Musa عليه السلام), there existed seventy primary languages, of seventy nations, in the world. It is believed that these seventy languages originated at the Tower of Babel:

טעַל־כֵּ֞ן קָרָ֤א שְׁמָהּ֙ בָּבֶ֔ל כִּי־שָׁ֛ם בָּלַ֥ל יְהֹוָ֖ה שְׂפַ֣ת כָּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וּמִשָּׁם֙ הֱפִיצָ֣ם יְהֹוָ֔ה עַל־פְּנֵ֖י כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ:

Therefore, He named it Babel, for there the Lord confused the language of the entire earth, and from there the Lord scattered them upon the face of the entire earth.
[Bereishit - Genesis - Chapter 11:9]

They also believe that all the seventy languages were spoken in the Pharaoh's palace in ancient Egypt, which means that these were the extant languages then. Where in Devarim - Deuteronomy - Chapter 1:5 Moses (Musa عليه السلام) spoke, it is believed that he gave them The Torah in all the seventy languages of the world:

הבְּעֵ֥בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מוֹאָ֑ב הוֹאִ֣יל משֶׁ֔ה בֵּאֵ֛ר אֶת־הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לֵאמֹֽר:

On that side of the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses commenced [and] explained this Law, saying,
[Devarim - Deuteronomy - Chapter 1:8]

It is believed that the Devarim - Deuteronomy is one long sermon by Moses (Musa عليه السلام), a renewal of the covenant! He also commanded them to inscribe it all clearly on stones:

אוַיְצַ֤ו משֶׁה֙ וְזִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶת־הָעָ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר שָׁמֹר֙ אֶת־כָּל־הַמִּצְוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָֽנֹכִ֛י מְצַוֶּ֥ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם הַיּֽוֹם:

And Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Observe all of the commandment that I command you this day.

...

חוְכָתַבְתָּ֣ עַל־הָֽאֲבָנִ֗ים אֶת־כָּל־דִּבְרֵ֛י הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את בַּאֵ֥ר הֵיטֵֽב:   

You shall write upon the stones all the words of this Torah, very clearly.
[Devarim - Deuteronomy - Chapter 27:1, ..., 8]

The Quran in Arabic Language

وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِذْ قَالُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ بَشَرٍ مِّن شَيْءٍ قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ الْكِتَابَ الَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ مُوسَىٰ نُورًا وَهُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ تَجْعَلُونَهُ قَرَاطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيرًا وَعُلِّمْتُم مَّا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوا أَنتُمْ وَلَا آبَاؤُكُمْ قُلِ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ ذَرْهُمْ فِي خَوْضِهِمْ يَلْعَبُون

وَهَٰذَا كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ مُّصَدِّقُ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَلِتُنذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُون

And (did) not they appraise Allah (with) true (his) appraisal, when they said, "Not revealed Allah on a human being [of] anything." Say, "Who revealed the Book which brought [it] Musa (as) a light and guidance for the people? You make it (into) parchments, you disclose (some of) it and you conceal much (of it). And you were taught what not knew you and not your forefathers." Say, "Allah (revealed it)." Then leave them in their discourse - playing.

And this (is) a Book, We have revealed it, blessed, confirming which (from) between his hands, so that you may warn (the) mother (of) the cities and who (are) around it. And those who believe in the Hereafter, they believe in it, and they, over their prayers (are) guarding.
[Al-Quran 6:91-92]

كِتَابٌ فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُون

A Book, are detailed its Verses, a Quran (in) Arabic for a people (who) know,
...

وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَّقَالُوا لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ أَأَعْجَمِيٌّ وَعَرَبِيٌّ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى أُولَٰئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍ بَعِيد

 And if We (had) made it a Quran (in) a foreign (language), they (would have) said, "Why not are explained in detail its verses? (Is it) a foreign (language) and an Arab?" Say, "It (is) for those who believe, a guidance and a healing." And those who (do) not believe, in their ears (is) deafness, and it (is) for them blindness. Those are being called from a place far."
[Al-Quran 41:3, ..., 44]

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّتُنذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَتُنذِرَ يَوْمَ الْجَمْعِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ فَرِيقٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَفَرِيقٌ فِي السَّعِير

And thus We have revealed to you a Quran (in) Arabic, that you may warn (the) mother (of) the towns, and whoever (is) around it, and warn (of the) Day (of) Assembly, (there is) no doubt in it. A party (will be) in Paradise and a party in the Blazing Fire.
[Al-Quran 42:7]

وَمِن قَبْلِهِ كِتَابُ مُوسَىٰ إِمَامًا وَرَحْمَةً وَهَٰذَا كِتَابٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ لِّسَانًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّيُنذِرَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُحْسِنِين

And from before it (was the) Scripture (of) Musa (as) a guide and a mercy. And this (is) a Book confirming, (in) language Arabic to warn those who do wrong and glad tidings for the good-doers.
[Al-Quran 46:12]

The Quran informs us that it was revealed in the Arabic language to warn the mother of towns (أُمَّ الْقُرَىٰ), i.e. Makkah (old name Bakkah), and those around it. Almost all of Middle East speaks Arabic, including Egypt.  

Related Posts: The Quran, the Pharaoh, Exodus and the Promised Day! || The Ancient House

Muhammad ﷺ : A Prophet like Moses

At the appointment with the seventy men, when Moses prayed for mercy (Q7:155-156), these ayat recount the answer Allah gave him:

 ۞ وَاكْتُبْ لَنَا فِي هَـٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدْنَا إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ عَذَابِي أُصِيبُ بِهِ مَنْ أَشَاءُ ۖ وَرَحْمَتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ ۚ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِآيَاتِنَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ مَعَهُ ۙ أُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

And ordain for us in this [the] world, good and in the Hereafter. Indeed, we we have turned to You." He said, "My punishment - I afflict with it whom I will, but My Mercy encompasses every thing. So I will ordain it for those who (are) righteous and give zakah and those who [they] in Our Verses believe.
Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet, the unlettered, whom they find him written with them in the Taurat and the Injeel. He commands them to the right and forbids them from the wrong, and he makes lawful for them the pure things and makes unlawful for them the impure things and he relieves from them their burden and the fetters which were upon them. So those who believe in him and honor him, and help him and follow the light which has been sent down with him. Those (are) [they] the successful ones."
[Al-Quran 7:156-157]

In Surah al-Muzzamil, we read: 

إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ رَسُولًا شَاهِدًا عَلَيْكُمْ كَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ رَسُولًا

فَعَصَىٰ فِرْعَوْنُ الرَّسُولَ فَأَخَذْنَاهُ أَخْذًا وَبِيلًا

فَكَيْفَ تَتَّقُونَ إِن كَفَرْتُمْ يَوْمًا يَجْعَلُ الْوِلْدَانَ شِيبًا

السَّمَاءُ مُنفَطِرٌ بِهِ ۚ كَانَ وَعْدُهُ مَفْعُولًا

إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِ تَذْكِرَةٌ ۖ فَمَن شَاءَ اتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِ سَبِيلًا

Indeed, We [We] have sent to you a Messenger (as) a witness upon you, as We sent to Firaun a Messenger.
But disobeyed Firaun the Messenger, so We seized him (with) a seizure ruinous.
Then how will you guard yourselves, if you disbelieve, a Day (that) will make the children gray-haired?
The heaven (will) break apart therefrom, is His Promise to be fulfilled.
Indeed, this (is) a Reminder, then whoever wills (let him) take to his Lord a way.
[Al-Quran 73:15-19]

In Devarim - Deuteronomy 18, Moses (Musa عليه السلام) informed them that from their brothers, Allah will set up a prophet like him. 

The Bani Israel trace their lineage to Isaac (Ishaque عليه السلام), the son of Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام), while the Arabs trace their lineage to Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام), the elder son of Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام). So, Muhammad ﷺ is from their brothers: 

  טונָבִ֨יא מִקִּרְבְּךָ֤ מֵֽאַחֶ֨יךָ֙ כָּמֹ֔נִי יָקִ֥ים לְךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ אֵלָ֖יו תִּשְׁמָעֽוּן:

A prophet from among you, from your brothers, like me, the Lord, your God will set up for you; you shall hearken to him.
[Devarim - Deuteronomy - Chapter 18 15]

The Devarim - Deuteronomy concludes thus: 

יוְלֹא־קָ֨ם נָבִ֥יא ע֛וֹד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל כְּמשֶׁ֑ה אֲשֶׁר֙ יְדָע֣וֹ יְהֹוָ֔ה פָּנִ֖ים אֶל־פָּנִֽים:

And there was no other prophet who arose in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,

יאלְכָל־הָֽ֨אֹתֹ֜ת וְהַמּֽוֹפְתִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר שְׁלָחוֹ֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה לַֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם לְפַרְעֹ֥ה וּלְכָל־עֲבָדָ֖יו וּלְכָל־אַרְצֽוֹ:

11as manifested by all the signs and wonders, which the Lord had sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and all his servants, and to all his land,  

יבוּלְכֹל֙ הַיָּ֣ד הַֽחֲזָקָ֔ה וּלְכֹ֖ל הַמּוֹרָ֣א הַגָּד֑וֹל אֲשֶׁר֙ עָשָׂ֣ה משֶׁ֔ה לְעֵינֵ֖י כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:

12and all the strong hand, and all the great awe, which Moses performed before the eyes of all Israel. [Devarim - Deuteronomy - Chapter 34 10-12]

Related Posts: Muhammad ﷺ, the Messenger of Allah || Muhammad ﷺ – Ascension & Return 

Mistranslations & Misinterpretations 

This is a link to an audio why a not divinely-authorised Greek translation (a Greek Pharaoh of Egypt had commissioned the translation) was considered a tragedy of the same magnitude as the worship of the golden calf: Audio length 48:35 

Questions: 

• why did they translate another version when the original Greek translation given by Moses existed? 
• do the seventy original translations of The Torah still exist?  

With the translations of the ayaat of The Quran also, we notice that there are differences, even within the same language. Sometimes, almost none of the translations are literal, or partially literal. Therefore, it is imperative to quote the ayaat in the original language as well, even while many readers may be interested, or able to understand, only the translations.  

Note: Part of the reason for this blog is that I find what's written in the Arabic text seems different from popular understanding. However, I'm neither a man, nor a messenger of Allah, nor a prophet, nor a religious scholar. Am I doing a service by trying to understand, and share my learnings, or is this a disservice? Or exceeding the bounds defined for the female believer? May Allah guide us all, and improve our submission to Him, and accept us. 

Last updated on: November 14, 2022