In the Book of Exodus in the King James Bible and in the Septuagint there are a couple minor differences that come up within the text. However, these minor translational differences do not alter the plot at all. After viewing the Ten Commandments produced by Cecil B. De Mille and reading Exodus within the King James Bible and the Septuagint one can see the similarities both inherit. Specifically, after the first 10 minutes of the film, numerous connection scan be made to Exodus 22-24, focusing on the protagonist Moses.
At the very beginning of The Ten Commandments Pharaoh Rameses demands that all male newborn Hebrews are forced to be murdered(The Ten Commandments 10:15). This is heavily unfair to all the newborns and their parents due to the fact that this is inhumane. Little did one know that one of the newborn Hebrews happened to be Moses. Yochabel, Moses mother, sends Moses down adrift in a basket covered in order to save his life (The Ten Commandment 11:25). The Pharaoh made his decision to have all male Hebrew newborns executed after hearing a prophecy from the Hebrew deliverer. This is clearly biased and arbitrary towards all Hebrews. Next, in Exodus 22, another unfair law was established. According to the King James Bible, “And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife” (Exodus 22:16). This demonstrates that if a man had sex with a virgin he would be forced to marry her. Obviously this is a little improper because their is a chance that the man does not want to marry the girl. The unjustice only continues as, “If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins” (Exodus 22:16). To an individual this should stick out as being heavily unjust. If the father of the women did not like the mans presence than he would still be forced to pay the brides price even if he was not marrying the women. This relates to the theme of unfairness that both the film and the Bible are demonstrating in. both of these scenarios. The film is discriminating the Hebrews and the Bible is not being fair to either the man nor the women.
Another part of the movie that relates to Exodus is a tiny bit further past when Moses is adopted by the pharaohs recently widowed daughter Bithiah. As the movie progresses Moses grows up and becomes a general. During this time he finds the love of his life Nefretiri (38:00-48:00). However things get a little odd when Nefretiri must marry the next pharaoh. This seems extremely unfair and relates to one of the laws in Exodus 20 created regarding women and being forced to marry. In the quote mentioned in the previous paragraph it regards a scenario where the women must marry the man if he takes her virginity. This is similar to The Ten Commandments movie in the fact that Nefretiri is being forced to marry the next pharaoh and she does not have a choice. Further this exemplifies the theme of injustice and delves into the severity of how unfair both of these situations are.
Exodus from the King James Bible and The Ten Commandment share multiple themes but one seen dealt’s with the unjust gender roles within the bible and film.
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