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Érudition et clandestina: le portrait de Moïse par Toland et les recherches bibliques de son temps : Erudition and clandestine texts: the case of biblical scholarship in Toland’s account of Moses

The article explores the construction of the politics of the ancient Hebrew State and the political character of Moses. It contextualises orthodox and heterodox discussion of Moses’ use of military prudence in the so-called ‘miracle’ of the pillar of cloud and fire which guided the Hebrews through the wilderness. The consequent exchanges of learning and erudition are a premise for a consideration of the origins of the enlightened assault upon the revealed status of the Old Testament. Erudition was a more significant contribution to the attack on public religion than the development of philosophical arguments in the early enlightenment.