400 Ka Leung Wong * ** On the basis of above discussion, we may conclude that the phrase “and Moses raised his hand” in Num 20,11 is not to be interpreted literally as referring to a necessary action preceding his striking the rock with his staff, but figuratively as representing his attitude, a demonstration of his own power to fight against a hostile and superior force before him. But what is this superior force that Moses was facing? This could either be God himself or the murmuring Israelites. But in the context of the story, the “enemy” of Moses was probably God himself. This interpretation has an intertextual support from Num 20,24; 27,14. In both passages, God indicted Moses (and Aaron) for being rebelliousness (hrm) against him. When Moses called the Israelites “rebels” (μyrm; Num 20,10), God called Moses “rebellious”. In Num 20,12 God rebuked Moses for not trusting in him (yb μtnmahAal). Precisely the same accusation from God is directed to the Israelites in the spy narrative (Num 14,11) (9). Right before this accusation, Caleb urged the people not to “rebel” (drm) against God (Num 14,9). Thus, by regarding God as an enemy, Moses rebels against God by not following his command to speak to the rock. Although the phrase “and Moses raised his hand” in itself does not explain why Moses has this enmity against God, it at least indicates that Moses is at enmity with God. As such, this constitutes at least part of the sin of Moses. China Graduate School of Theology Ka Leung WONG 5 Devon Road Kowloon Tong – Kowloon – Hong Kong SUMMARY This note argues that the phrase “and Moses raised his hand” in Num 20,11 should be interpreted figuratively and it refers to Moses’ inner attitude and his will to demonstrate his power over God whom he is at enmity with. (9) EMMRICH (“Case against Moses”, 57) points out these textual connections and calls this phenomenon “recapitulative historiography”.