Ending the Ekcolir Reality

Multiply!

 Recently, I was chatting with Bard when I was subjected to another AI hallucination. In this flight of fancy, Bard falsely claimed that Nancy Kress had written a science fiction story called "The Alien Next Door". That falsehood led me to investigate the December 1976 issue of Galaxy magazine. I noticed in that issue, there was an editorial essay that had been written by James Baen in which he suggested that "be fruitful and multiply" was the first biblical adjuration.

  Multiply. In Genesis 1, in the first of the two different accounts of the sixth day of creation, the story is told that God made man and woman and told them to "multiply". Baen viewed that as being the first biblical adjuration and suggested that we take it to heart and spread ourselves (Humanity) not only across the surface of one small planet, Earth, but also through the entire galaxy.

Just So.

  Fruity. Then, in Genesis 2, there is the second version of events during creation week in which "the man" is first warned to not eat the fruit of a particular tree. I guess that command would be the second adjuration. Then some Hi Tek™ tissue extraction surgery is performed on "the man" and after a bit of genetic engineering a woman is crafted, with two X chromosomes and no Y. 

 Failure to Communicate. As the story unfolds in the Torah, it is not clear if God ever actually told the woman to not eat the forbidden fruit. Maybe God was a failure at communicating, or, in order to get an interesting plot for the story, the scribe simply had to introduce knowledge of good and evil. But not too much knowledge. For example, in the Torah, slavery is viewed as a "natural" part of human society.

cover art by Paul Lehr

 Computed Multiplication. When I was in my golden age of science fiction (when I was about 12 years old) I read "The Last Starship from Earth" by John Boyd. In that science fiction novel, Boyd imagined that the drugged and unconscious body of Jesus was sent "back to the future" using a time machine. A time machine had been used to send Judas (originally a man from the future at a time after time travel technology was invented) into the past in order to kill Jesus and thus prevent development of a future timeline for Earth in which Jesus became a warrior who defeated the Romans. In that timeline, there was a computerized Pope who arranged marriages for people, making possible the selective breeding of humans who were very good at particular tasks such as doing mathematics (which, in turn, led to discovery of a key equation that made time travel possible).

The Reality Chain that led to the universe as we know it.

 Alternate History. Suddenly, I began thinking about a new time travel story that would be similar to The Last Starship from Earth, but would feature Moses and provide a way of of ending the Etruscan Empire, thus causing a Reality Change that would terminate the Ekcolir Reality and bring into existence the Buld Reality (the world as we know it). However, to write such a story, I would need to learn about the character "Moses" from the Torah and try to invent a connection between Moses and the Etruscan Empire.

 Why Etruria? Jack Vance sometimes mentioned Etruria or the Etruscans in his writings. For example, in Araminta Station, Vance stated that the names for the three continents of the planet Cadwal were derived from the ancient Etruscan language. 

Alphanor by Mr. Wombo.

In his Demon Princes series, Vance mentions the "Umbria Division" of the IPCC and Vance named the continents of the planet Alphanor: Phrygia, Umbria, Lusitania, Scythia, Etruria, Lydia and Lycia. I suspect that Vance had read Herodotus and made use of his ancient stories as inspiration for his own tales. Similarly, I was inspired by Vance to imagine a past Realty of Deep Time, the Ekcolir Reality, in which a vast Etruscan Empire had flourished rather than a Roman Empire.

 The Ekcolir Reality. The Ekcolir Reality was named in honor of Ekcolir, a telepathic human variant specifically designed to bring an end to the Time Travel War. Also, having been impressed by Isaac Asimov's character Noÿs Lambent, I tried to imagine her fate after she and Andrew Harlan traveled through time to the 1930s. Adopting a new cover-identity, Noÿs lived in the twentieth century as Trysta Iwedon. As a telepathic human from 7,000,000 years in the future, Trysta played a major role in establishing the Foundation Reality, a Reality in which a vast telepathic group mind known as Galaxia was created as a defense against the alien Huaoshy.

Miners of Earth

 Fight Fire with Fire. Ekcolir was crafted and designed by the Huaoshy as a time traveling tool that could "defeat" Trysta Iwedon and put an end to the Foundation Reality. After "pacifying" Trysta (which involved lots of steamy sex), Ekcolir undertook one final time travel mission. He was sent 20,000 years into the past as part of a genetic engineering project which inserted key gene patterns into the human population of Earth, gene patterns that would endow some Earthlings with telepathic abilities.

  City on the Edge of Tomorrow. Back in June, I began writing a new story called "City on the Edge of Tomorrow" in which Tyhry meets members of the Falery family, the members of which have large numbers of Ek'col gene patterns and some limited telepathic powers. However, what if there were other key times in our historical timeline where it was important to create a few people with the "telepathic" ability to obtain information from the Sedron Time Stream? 

Angels or Fru'wu?

The idea from ancient literature (such as the Torah) that some people could "see the future" can be given a science fiction "twist" by imagining that Ek'col and Asterothrope gene patterns were present in ancient "prophets".

 Chatbot 101. I've been comparing the abilities of three different chatbots: 1) Bard, 2) the version 3.5 chatGPT and the version of chatGPT 4 that had been designed to function as part of the Bing search engine. I asked all three of these AI-powered chatbots about "prophets"...

 Me. What is the historical origin and etymology of the English language word "prophet" as used in the phrase "prophetic assignment"?

Bard. The English word "prophet" comes from the Greek word prophḗtēs, which means "one who speaks for a god." The Greek word is a compound of the words pro ("before") and phanai ("to speak"). So, a prophet is literally someone who speaks before or on behalf of a god.  

The word "prophet" was first borrowed into English in the 12th century. It was used to refer to people who claimed to have received messages from God, and who often foretold future events. The word was also used to refer to the writers of the prophetic books of the Bible.  

 

Blues

The phrase "prophetic assignment" is a more recent usage of the word "prophet." It refers to a task or calling that someone believes they have been given by God. This task may involve speaking out on behalf of God, or it may involve some other kind of work that is seen as being divinely inspired.  

The etymological origin of the word "prophet" is still reflected in its modern usage. When we talk about a "prophetic assignment," we are essentially saying that someone has been given a task that involves speaking for God or carrying out God's will.  

Here are some additional details about the etymology of the word "prophet":      

The Greek word prophḗtēs was also used in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. In the Septuagint, the word was used to translate the Hebrew word nāvī, which also means "prophet."     

The Latin equivalent of the Greek word prophḗtēs is propheta. The Latin word was also borrowed into English, and it is still used today.     

The word "prophet" is related to the English words "prophecy" and "prophesy." These words all come from the same root, which means "to speak forth."

chatGPT 3.5. The word "prophet" has a fascinating historical origin and etymology. In the context of a "prophetic assignment," it refers to someone who foretells or predicts the future or imparts divine messages.

Historical Origin:

 

Mosy

The term "prophet" has its roots in ancient civilizations, particularly in the religious and spiritual practices of the ancient Middle East. In various cultures and societies, there were individuals who claimed to have a special connection to the divine or the supernatural realm. These individuals were often believed to possess the ability to communicate with gods or higher powers and provide insights into future events, offer guidance, or deliver messages to their communities. In many cases, these figures played crucial roles in religious rituals and ceremonies.

Etymology:
The word "prophet" entered the English language through Old French and Latin. Here's a breakdown of its etymology:

1. Old French: "Prophète"
The Old French term "prophète" was derived from the Latin word "propheta," which itself came from the Greek word "prophētēs."

2. Latin: "Propheta"
In Latin, "propheta" had the same meaning as the Greek term. It referred to someone who spoke on behalf of a god or deity, or someone who foretold future events. The Latin word was used to translate corresponding words in religious texts, such as the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament).

3. Greek: "Prophētēs" (προφήτης)
The Greek term "prophētēs" had a similar meaning to its Latin counterpart. In ancient Greek culture, prophets were seen as intermediaries between the human world and the divine, relaying messages from the gods to the people. In Greek mythology and religious contexts, figures like the Oracle of Delphi were considered prophets.

Oracle

 The concept of prophecy and prophets has been present in various ancient cultures, including those of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, and Israel. Over time, the term "prophet" has been adopted and adapted by different languages and cultures, leading to its current usage in English to refer to individuals with the ability to foresee the future or convey divine messages, as seen in the phrase "prophetic assignment."

Bing's chatGPT 4. The English word "prophet" comes from the Greek word "prophētēs" which means "one who speaks for a god" or "spokesman". This word is derived from the Greek words "pro" meaning "before" or "toward" and "phēmí" meaning "I tell". The word was used to describe someone who conveys messages from the divine to humans, including occasionally foretelling future events. In a different interpretation, it means advocate or speaker.  

In the phrase "prophetic assignment," the word "prophetic" is an adjective form of the noun "prophet," and it refers to something that is characteristic of a prophet or something that is related to prophecy. A prophetic assignment would be a task or mission that involves delivering a message or teaching from a divine source.

Me. Who is depicted as being the most ancient prophet in the Bible?

taken up

Bard. The most ancient prophet in the Bible is Enoch. He is mentioned in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 5, as the seventh descendant of Adam. The Bible says that Enoch "walked with God," and that he was "taken up" by God without dying. This means that Enoch was translated, or taken directly to heaven without experiencing death.  Enoch is also mentioned in the Book of Jude, Chapter 1, as an example of someone who was "a witness before God." This suggests that Enoch was a prophet who spoke for God to the people of his time.  The exact identity of Enoch is not known, but he is often identified with the figure of Idris in Islamic tradition. Idris is considered to be one of the earliest prophets, and he is said to have been a teacher of Adam and Seth.  In the Bible, Enoch is not given any specific prophecies, but he is seen as a model of faith and obedience. His story is a reminder that God can take those who are faithful to him to a place beyond death.  Here are some other ancient prophets mentioned in the Bible:      Adam     Noah     Abraham     Moses     Elijah     Elisha     Isaiah     Jeremiah     Daniel  These prophets were all called by God to speak to the people of their time. They delivered messages of warning, hope, and restoration. Their words continue to be a source of inspiration and guidance for people today.

chatGPT-3.5. In the Bible, the figure depicted as the most ancient prophet is Enoch. Enoch's story is primarily found in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament. He is mentioned in Genesis 5:21-24:

"When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more because God took him away."

Enoch is known for his close relationship with God and his exceptional faith. The Bible describes him as a man who "walked with God," suggesting a profound spiritual connection. He lived during a time when humanity was still in its early stages, and his life is noted for its extraordinary length compared to the lifespans of people in subsequent generations.

 

On a mission from God.

The passage above indicates that Enoch did not experience death like other human beings but was taken by God, making him a unique and remarkable figure. This event is often referred to as Enoch's "translation" or "assumption," where he was taken directly to heaven without experiencing physical death.

Enoch's status as a prophet is not elaborated on extensively in the Bible, but his significant relationship with God and his extraordinary life make him an important and revered figure in various religious traditions, including Judaism and Christianity. Some later religious texts, such as the Book of Enoch (considered non-canonical by most Christian denominations), provide additional accounts and prophecies attributed to him.

Bingbot. The most ancient prophet mentioned in the Bible is considered to be Adam, who is regarded as a prophet in the Abrahamic religions. Adam is mentioned in the book of Genesis as the first man created by God and is considered to be the father of all humanity. He is also mentioned in other books of the Old Testament, such as Deuteronomy and Chronicles.

Me. Where is Adam first mentioned in the Bible?

Bard. Adam is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 1:26-27, where God says, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." This passage suggests that Adam was created in the image of God, and that he was given dominion over the earth.  Adam is mentioned again in Genesis 2:7, where the Bible says, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." This passage describes how Adam was created from the dust of the ground and given the breath of life by God.  

 

Ut-napishtim

Adam is also mentioned in Genesis 3, where he and Eve disobey God and eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This act of disobedience brought sin into the world, and it led to Adam and Eve being cast out of the Garden of Eden.  Adam is mentioned a few other times in the Bible, but he is most prominently mentioned in Genesis 1-5. These chapters provide a detailed account of Adam's creation, his relationship with Eve, and his fall from grace.  The story of Adam is a foundational story in the Bible, and it has been interpreted in many different ways by different people. Some people see Adam as a literal historical figure, while others see him as a symbolic figure who represents all of humanity. Regardless of how one interprets the story, Adam's story is a reminder of the importance of obedience to God and the consequences of sin.

Me. As depicted in the Bible, who lived first, Adam or Enoch?

Bard. According to the Bible, Adam lived first. Enoch was the seventh descendant of Adam, and he was taken up by God without dying. This means that Enoch was translated, or taken directly to heaven without experiencing death.  The Bible says that Enoch "walked with God: and he was no more; for God took him" (Genesis 5:24). This suggests that Enoch was a very close to God, and that he was taken up to heaven as a reward for his faithfulness.  The exact date of Enoch's death is not known, but it is estimated that he lived around 365 years. This means that he lived for a long time, but not as long as Adam, who lived for 930 years.  Therefore, according to the Bible, Adam lived first, followed by Enoch.

fallen angels

Me. Bard, earlier in this conversation you told me, "The most ancient prophet in the Bible is Enoch." You also told me that Adam was a biblical prophet. How can Enoch be the most ancient prophet in the Bible if "Enoch was the seventh descendant of Adam"?

Bard. You are correct. I apologize for the confusion.  In the Bible, the term "prophet" is used in a variety of ways. It can refer to someone who receives messages from God, or it can refer to someone who speaks for God to the people of their time.  In the case of Adam, the Bible does not explicitly say that he was a prophet in the sense of receiving messages from God. However, the Bible does say that Adam was "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27), and that he was given dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:28). This suggests that Adam had a special relationship with God, and that he may have spoken for God to the other people of his time.  In the case of Enoch, the Bible says that he "walked with God" (Genesis 5:24). This suggests that Enoch was very close to God, and that he may have received messages from God. The Bible also says that Enoch was "taken up" by God without dying (Genesis 5:24). This suggests that Enoch was translated, or taken directly to heaven without experiencing death.  Based on these passages, it is possible to argue that Enoch was a prophet in the sense of receiving messages from God. However, it is also possible to argue that Adam was a prophet in the sense of having a special relationship with God and speaking for God to the people of his time.  Ultimately, the question of whether Adam or Enoch was the most ancient prophet in the Bible is a matter of interpretation. There is no clear answer in the Bible, and different people may have different opinions on the matter.

Both Bard and chatGPT-3.5 can function in "pure parrot mode", repeating "facts" that were in their training set of data and not recognizing logical contradictions in what they say. ChatGPT-4 is often more sophisticated, seemingly "knowing" that if Adam and Enoch are both listed as prophets and since Adam is depicted as the ancestor of Enoch then Adam is the more ancient prophet.

Sodom

Me. In what sense was Abraham a prophet?

Bard. Abraham is considered a prophet in the Bible in two main senses:      He was a recipient of divine revelation. The Bible records several instances where God spoke to Abraham directly, giving him instructions and promises. For example, in Genesis 12:1-3, God tells Abraham to leave his homeland and go to a new land that God would show him. In Genesis 15:1-5, God promises Abraham that he would have a son and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky.     He was a mediator between God and the people. Abraham's role as a mediator is evident in his intercession on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:22-33). When God told Abraham that he was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness, Abraham pleaded with God to spare the cities if there were even ten righteous people living there. God agreed to spare the cities if there were ten righteous people, but when Abraham found that there were only four righteous people, the cities were destroyed.  In addition to these two senses, Abraham is also considered a prophet because he was a model of faith and obedience. He was willing to leave his homeland and go to a new land that he had never seen before, simply because God had told him to do so. He was also willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, even though he knew that it was a command from God. Abraham's faith and obedience are an inspiration to believers today.  In the Hebrew Bible, the term "prophet" (Hebrew: נביא, navi) is used to refer to a variety of people, including those who receive messages from God, those who speak for God to the people, and those who are gifted with special insight or wisdom. Abraham fits into all of these categories, and as a result, he is considered a prophet in the Bible.

chatGPT-3.5. Abraham is considered a biblical prophet in the sense that he received direct communication from God and was chosen by God to play a crucial role in His divine plan. While the term "prophet" is not used explicitly in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) to describe Abraham, his actions, experiences, and interactions with God exhibit prophetic characteristics.

 Here are some reasons why Abraham is considered a prophet:

1. Divine Call and Revelation: In Genesis 12:1-3, God called Abraham to leave his homeland and go to a land that God would show him. God made promises to Abraham, which included making him into a great nation and blessing all the families of the earth through him. Throughout Abraham's life, God revealed Himself to him, guiding and directing his actions.

2. Intermediary Role: Abraham acted as an intermediary between God and others. He prayed for people, such as when he interceded on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:16-33, showing his concern for the welfare of others and his desire for justice.

3. Prophetic Visions and Dreams: Abraham received prophetic visions and dreams from God. In Genesis 15:1-6, God appeared to him in a vision and made a covenant with him. Abraham also received divine guidance through dreams, as seen in Genesis 20:1-7.

4. Foretelling the Future: God revealed to Abraham that his descendants would be enslaved in a foreign land (Egypt) for 400 years, as mentioned in Genesis 15:13-14. This foretelling of future events is one of the characteristics associated with prophets.

5. Faith and Trust in God's Promises: Abraham's unwavering faith in God's promises, particularly the promise of a son in his old age, is seen as a prophetic quality. He believed in God's word and acted on that belief.

6. Blessing for All Nations: God's promise to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham is viewed as having prophetic implications, as it points to a broader divine plan for humanity's redemption and salvation.

Abraham's significance in the biblical narrative goes beyond just his prophetic role. He is considered the father of the Jewish nation, and his faith serves as a model for believers in various religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. His story and the covenant God made with him are foundational to understanding the Abrahamic faiths.

Bingbot. Abraham, also known as Abram, is considered a prophet and messenger of God in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He is the ancestor of the Jewish people through Isaac, and of the Ishmaelite Arabs and Muslims through Ishmael. Abraham received God's messages and commands and obeyed them faithfully. He is the first person named a prophet in the Bible, but not the first person who prophesied.  In the Bible, Abraham is described as having a close relationship with God and receiving messages from Him on several occasions. For example, in Genesis 12:7, 13:14, 15:1, and 18:10, God speaks to Abraham and gives him instructions. Abraham is also described as interceding with God on behalf of others, such as when he prays for Abimelech in Genesis 20:7. In this sense, Abraham can be considered a prophet because he received messages from God and conveyed them to others.

Me. In the Torah, was the wife of Abraham depicted as being Abraham's sister?

Bard. Yes, in the Torah, Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is depicted as being his sister. This is because in the ancient Near East, it was not uncommon for people to marry their relatives. In fact, it was sometimes seen as a way to keep the family's property within the family.  The Torah does not explicitly say that Sarah was Abraham's sister, but it does say that she was his "half-sister" (Genesis 20:12). This means that they shared the same father, but not the same mother.  There are a few reasons why the Torah might have depicted Sarah as being Abraham's sister. One reason is that it was a way to explain why they were not having children. In the ancient Near East, it was believed that women who were unable to have children were cursed by God. By depicting Sarah as being Abraham's sister, the Torah could suggest that their infertility was not Sarah's fault, but rather the result of their relationship.  Another reason why the Torah might have depicted Sarah as being Abraham's sister is that it was a way to emphasize their close relationship. In the ancient Near East, sisters were often seen as being especially close to their brothers. By depicting Sarah as being Abraham's sister, the Torah could suggest that their relationship was one of deep love and trust.  Today, we know that it is not possible for siblings to marry each other without genetic problems. The Torah's depiction of Sarah as being Abraham's sister reflects the cultural norms of the time.

chatGPT-3.5. Yes, in the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Pentateuch), there is a narrative where Abraham's wife, Sarah (originally known as Sarai), is depicted as his sister. This occurs in Genesis 12:10-20 and Genesis 20:1-18.

1. Genesis 12:10-20:
In this passage, during a time of famine, Abraham and Sarah traveled to Egypt. Fearing for his life because of Sarah's beauty, Abraham asked her to say that she was his sister, not his wife, to protect himself. The Pharaoh of Egypt took Sarah into his household, intending to marry her. However, God intervened, afflicting Pharaoh and his household with plagues. When Pharaoh realized that Sarah was actually Abraham's wife, he rebuked him and sent them away.

2. Genesis 20:1-18:
In a later account, a similar incident occurs when Abraham and Sarah traveled to Gerar. Again, Abraham fears for his life because of Sarah's beauty and tells King Abimelech that Sarah is his sister. Once more, God intervenes in a dream to warn Abimelech of the truth. Abimelech returns Sarah to Abraham and confronts him about the deception.

The depiction of Sarah as Abraham's sister in these passages has raised ethical and interpretative questions among biblical scholars and commentators. Some view this as a problematic act of deception on Abraham's part, while others argue that it was a common practice in the ancient Near East to use kinship terms loosely to describe relationships.

It is worth noting that the Torah does not explicitly endorse or condemn Abraham's actions in these episodes, leaving readers to draw their own conclusions about the ethical implications. Nevertheless, these incidents reveal aspects of Abraham and Sarah's journey and their reliance on God's protection in challenging situations.

Bingbot. Yes, according to the Torah, Sarah, the wife of Abraham, was also his half-sister. In Genesis 20:12, Abraham reveals to the Philistine king Abimelech of Gerar that Sarah is both his wife and his half-sister, stating that the two share a father but not a mother. Such unions were later explicitly banned in Leviticus 18:9.

ChatGPT 4 cuts right to the chase, anticipating my interest in the fact that after depicting Abraham as being married to his sister, the Bible later depicts God as insisting that it is not acceptable for a man to marry his sister.

Me. According to the Torah, approximately how many years passed between the time when Abraham fathered a child with his half-sister and the later time when Moses was told by God that having intercourse with a half-sister was not acceptable?

Bard. According to the Torah, approximately 600 years passed between the time when Abraham fathered a child with his half-sister, Milcah, and the later time when Moses was told by God that having intercourse with a half-sister was not acceptable.  The Torah does not explicitly say how many years passed between these two events, but it is possible to estimate the time period based on the other events that are mentioned in the Torah.  Abraham fathered a child with Milcah, his half-sister, when he was 75 years old (Genesis 16:16). Moses was told by God that having intercourse with a half-sister was not acceptable when he was 80 years old (Leviticus 18:9).  Therefore, approximately 600 years passed between these two events. This is because Abraham lived to be 175 years old (Genesis 25:7), and Moses lived to be 120 years old (Deuteronomy 34:7).  It is important to note that these are just estimates, and the actual time period may have been longer or shorter. However, it is clear that a significant amount of time passed between these two events.  The fact that there was such a long time period between these two events suggests that the Torah's view of incest changed over time. In the early days of the Israelites, it was apparently acceptable for people to marry their half-siblings. However, by the time of Moses, this practice was no longer acceptable.

chatGPT-3.5. According to the timeline presented in the Hebrew Bible (Torah), there was a significant time gap between the events involving Abraham and the later revelation to Moses about sexual relations with close relatives.

1. Abraham and Sarah:
Abraham fathered a child with his half-sister Sarah (originally Sarai). This event is recorded in Genesis 16:1-4 when Sarah, unable to conceive, gave her handmaid Hagar to Abraham as a surrogate, resulting in the birth of Ishmael.

2. Moses and the Law:
The revelation to Moses about sexual relations with close relatives, including half-siblings, is found in the book of Leviticus, specifically Leviticus 18. This chapter contains a list of prohibited sexual relationships within certain degrees of kinship, and it includes instructions on avoiding sexual relations with siblings and half-siblings.

The time gap between these events is considerable. The events involving Abraham are believed to have occurred around the 19th or 18th century BCE. On the other hand, the book of Leviticus, where Moses received the laws and commandments from God, is traditionally dated to the late second millennium BCE or the early first millennium BCE.

Therefore, several centuries passed between the time of Abraham and the time of Moses when these specific laws were given. It is essential to recognize that the biblical narrative spans several generations and covers a considerable period in ancient history. The laws and commandments in the Torah were revealed and developed gradually over time, shaping the religious and ethical framework of the ancient Israelites.

Bingbot. According to the Torah, Abraham fathered a child with his half-sister Sarah when he was 100 years old. The book of Leviticus, which contains the laws prohibiting sexual relationships with close relatives, including half-siblings, is traditionally believed to have been written by Moses. The exact date of its writing is disputed by scholars, with some arguing that it was written during the 6th century BCE, either before, during, or after the exile of the Israelites to Babylon. Others claim that it was written earlier, between 1440-1400 BCE, when the Israelites were camped at Mount Sinai.  If we assume that Abraham was born in 1813 BCE and that Leviticus was written around 1440-1400 BCE, then approximately 473-433 years passed between the time when Abraham fathered a child with his half-sister and the later time when Moses was told by God that having intercourse with a half-sister was not acceptable. However, it is important to note that these dates are not certain and are subject to scholarly debate.

Me. Which prophet in the Torah is depicted as having the most numerous direct interactions (conversations , visions, etc) with God?

Bard. The prophet in the Torah who is depicted as having the most numerous direct interactions with God is Moses. Moses is mentioned in the Torah more than any other prophet, and he is the only prophet who is depicted as having face-to-face conversations with God.  In the Torah, God speaks to Moses on numerous occasions. These conversations take place in a variety of settings, including the burning bush, Mount Sinai, and the Tent of Meeting. God also gives Moses visions, which are often accompanied by instructions or warnings.  For example, in Exodus 3:1-12, God speaks to Moses from the burning bush. 

 

Let's fill him with wine

God tells Moses to go to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery. In Exodus 19:1-25, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. In Numbers 12:6-8, God gives Moses a vision of the Promised Land.  These are just a few examples of the many direct interactions that Moses has with God in the Torah. These interactions are significant because they show that Moses had a special relationship with God. They also show that Moses was a trusted intermediary between God and the Israelites.  The other prophets in the Torah also have direct interactions with God, but they are not as numerous as Moses' interactions. For example, Abraham has a few conversations with God, and Isaiah has a few visions. However, Moses is the only prophet who is depicted as having face-to-face conversations with God on a regular basis.  As a result, Moses is considered to be the most important prophet in the Torah. He is the one who received the Ten Commandments, and he is the one who led the Israelites out of slavery. His interactions with God are a central part of the Torah, and they provide a glimpse into the relationship between God and the Israelites.

chatGPT-3.5. In the Torah, the prophet Moses is depicted as having the most numerous direct interactions with God. Moses played a central role in the biblical narrative and is considered one of the most significant prophets in Judaism. His life and interactions with God are extensively detailed throughout the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

 Moses had several profound encounters with God, including:

1. The Burning Bush (Exodus 3): God appeared to Moses in a burning bush and commissioned him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

2. The Ten Plagues and the Exodus (Exodus 7-12): Moses received instructions from God to perform miracles and bring about the ten plagues that led to the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

3. The Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14): God instructed Moses to stretch out his staff, causing the Red Sea to part and allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground.

4. Receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19-20): Moses ascended Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments directly from God.

5. Intercession for the People (Exodus 32-34): After the Israelites sinned by worshiping the golden calf, Moses pleaded with God on their behalf and asked for forgiveness.

6. Guidance and Laws (Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy): Throughout these books, Moses received numerous laws, commandments, and instructions from God, guiding the Israelites in matters of worship, morality, and governance.

7. Face-to-Face Conversations (Exodus 33:11): The Torah describes that Moses had a unique relationship with God, and it is said that God spoke to Moses "face to face, as a man speaks to his friend."

These are just a few examples of the many interactions Moses had with God throughout his life. His prophetic role was unparalleled in the Torah, making him a central figure in the religious history of the Israelites and a revered prophet in Judaism.

Bingbot. Sorry, I think we need to move on! Click “New topic” to chat about something else.

The folks at Microsoft have poor Bingbot on a very short leash. I suppose some people are easily offended by what a chatbat might say about God. In any case, I want to create a science fiction story that is similar to The Last Starship from Earth by John Boyd, but which makes use of a Moses-like character as being a "nexus in time", a key figure in the history of Earth who can prevent the development of a vast Etruscan Empire.

I'm interested in attempts to assign the biblical character "Moses" to a particular point in time. In Asimov's Guide to the Bible, Isaac Asimov suggested that the story of Moses is set in the time when "Sea Peoples" have arrived the the eastern Mediterranean. Asimov also suggested that in the movements of peoples taking place at this time, there might have been a migration into Italy that was important for starting the Etruscan civilization.

In a 2019 article "Ancient DNA sheds light on the genetic origins of early Iron Age Philistines", DNA sequencing of human remains found in Ashkelon revealed evidence "suggesting that a gene flow from a European-related gene pool entered Ashkelon either at the end of the Bronze Age or at the beginning of the Iron Age".

ancient Etruscan DNA sources (see)

As indicated above, Isaac Asimov mentioned the possibility that some tribes from Asia minor might have been involved in the formation of the Etruscan civilization. However, in a 2021 article exploring ancient DNA, "The origin and legacy of the Etruscans through a 2000-year archeogenomic time transect", the concluded "...contrary to previous suggestions, the Etruscan-related gene pool does not seem to have originated from recent population movements from the Near East." In fact, noting that the Etrurian language seems related to Lemnian, a language putatively spoken on ancient Lemnos in the Aegean Sea, the authors of the 2021 article suggest that this "close linguistic affinity across the Mediterranean Sea could represent population movements departing from the Italian peninsula".

Tin sources in the Bonze Age (see).

 East vs West. Sadly, ancient DNA studies do not currently have the resolving power to solve the mystery of the "Sea Peoples" or to prove that the Etruscans might have spread from Italy to colonies in the east such as on Lemnos. One west-to-east spread linked to the "Sea People" that has been suggested involves the Nuragic culture. It has been suggested that the Sherden sea people might have been related to Sardinians. One possibility is that tin from Iberia and Cornish tin mines might have reached the Eastern Mediterranean by way of traders from the Nuragic civilization in Sardinia.

 Alternate History. For my new science fiction story which makes use of a Moses-like character (I call him Mosy), I imagine that Mosy allied the Israelites with the Philistines and that alliance defeated the Egyptians, shifting the course of history in the Near East. By the time when the Persians arrived in Mesopotamia, they could not expand to the west. The Greek colonies in Asia Minor were never confronted by Persian forces and the Greeks never established colonies in Italy. A vast monotheistic kingdom stretched from the Nile river to the Euphrates, preventing Persian advances past the Euphrates. Without Greek colonies in Italy, the Roman Republic never expanded and the Etruscans took control of the entire Italic Peninsula. I imagine that the Etruscans and the Nuragic civilization eventually adopted a Phonetician-style script. With time, all of the Mediterranean united under a shared cultural system that was heavily influenced by the Etruscans.

Next: more background information for the story of Mosy

Visit the Gallery of Movies, Book and Magazine Covers