A Review of Narratives of Aaron's Eloquence and Moses' Speech Impediment.

This article examines the differing Islamic and Jewish narratives concerning Aaron's eloquence and Moses' speech impediment as presented in the Book of Exodus, the Qur'an (Surahs 20, 28, and 43), and key commentaries including Tafsīr al-Tabarī, Rawz al-jinān wa rūh al-jinān, Exodus Rabbah, and selected Jewish exegeses. It highlights that while both traditions share similar core stories, interpretations vary notably regarding the nature and origin of Moses' speech difficulties—some sources attribute it to a congenital impediment, others to a childhood injury, and some deny the impediment altogether, suggesting Moses' reluctance stemmed from deference to Aaron's seniority. The article underscores the intertextuality between Islamic and Jewish texts, showing how commentaries have influenced each other over centuries, particularly within the Iranian cultural context where Judeo-Persian script and translations facilitated this exchange. Ultimately, it argues that the notion of Moses' speech impediment largely arises from interpretive traditions rather than explicit scriptural statements, reflecting the complex interplay of linguistic, theological, and cultural factors shaping these narratives.