A Biblical statement of accountability

Benzion Barlev*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

The aim of this article is to shed light on a Biblical statement of accountability, which was presented by Moses to the Israelites following the exodus from Egypt. This statement of accountability is at the level of leader towards his people, and as such differs from other forms of accountability in ancient civilizations - in particular Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt - which existed only at the levels of the individual towards the individual, the individual towards the state, and the state towards the individual. Since Moses had a unique status as a leader, this study looks towards this status to try to explain the reasons that compelled him to provide the statement. I suggest that Moses, who led his people from slavery to freedom, also fulfilled the role of educator towards freedom. I posit that he provided the account as part of his capacity as educator as well as from his desire to be above suspicion, and out of his personal humility. The article concludes with some reflections of this account from later Jewish literature, in which they are presented as moral lessons for public servants.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)173-197
Number of pages25
JournalAccounting History
Volume11
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2006

Keywords

  • Accountability
  • Bible
  • Ethical conduct
  • Holy Santuary (Tabernacle)

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