Children of Moses
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Children of Moses (Hebrew: בני משה) were legendary descendants of Moses who lived beyond the mythical River Sambation. Most of information about them come from Arabic sources (where they are called Banu Musa), of whom Eldad ha-Dani is believed to be the main source.[1][2]
Encyclopedia Britannica writes: "Eldad describes the Children of Moses, a powerful and Utopian race, whose territory is surrounded by a wonderful river."[3] Eldad also wrote that a cloud brought the Children of Moses across Sambation at the times of the destruction of the Temple and the river protects them and they are happy, virtuous and long-living.[4]
Steven Wasserstrom remarks that Eldad is not trustworthy as a historical source, but there is an evidence that the motifs of Sambation and "Children of Moses" had currency in the 8th century.[5]
