Several political leaders in US history have used the symbolism of the biblical prophet Moses. The story of Moses and the history of Israel gave meaning and hope to the lives of Pilgrims seeking religious and personal freedom, and later inspired America's founding fathers during the American Revolution. The Moses story helped writers of the Declaration of Independence, followed by our Constitution. His story was referred to by Abraham Lincoln to help justify America’s Civil War, and then by civil rights leaders. Some scholars have claimed that the Ten Commandments is the basis of America's Constitution, with theologians like William Barclay proclaiming, "From Israel we Christian peoples inherit that wise and holy code of laws. Our society is founded upon it." John Adams, America's 2nd president, compared Moses to the Greek philosophers: "As much as I love, esteem, and admire the Greeks, I believe the Hebrews have done more to enlighten and civilize the world. Moses did more than all their legislators and philosophers." In popular culture, there have been numerous references to Moses as well. The 1956 film The Ten Commandments, for instance, is said to parallel "the narrative of America's own nationhood under God," with "patriotic allegories about the struggle for democratic freedom." At the end of the film, the final pose of Moses, played by Charlton Heston, is said to mimic that of The Statue of Liberty. Even the childhood of the comic book hero Superman is similar to that of Moses, who was also "set adrift to become his people's savior."

Moses in American History