Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments (1956) is a beloved movie that tells the epic story of Moses. However, while the movie covers Moses’ rise as a leader and the dramatic events in Egypt, it removes much of the scriptural material about Moses’ time in the desert. Some of that material is dark.

‘The Ten Commandments’ ignores some of the most interesting parts of Moses’ journey

In the Bible, Moses spends 40 years in the desert after fleeing Egypt. During this time, he leads the Israelites, receives the Ten Commandments, and builds a deep relationship with God. However, the 1956 film focuses more on Moses’ leadership in Egypt and the dramatic events leading to the Exodus. The desert period is shortened, and much of Moses’ personal journey in the wilderness is left out.

The Bible describes how Moses struggles with his faith and questions God’s plan. He deals with complaints from the Israelites and faces challenges in leading them. These complex moments of doubt and growth are not fully explored in the movie. Instead, The Ten Commandments skips ahead, focusing on the more action-packed parts of Moses’ journey, such as the plagues in Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea.

‘The Ten Commandments’ ignores 1 of the most controversial parts of the Bible

The film also ignores material that might make Moses seem more morally complex than the Saturday morning matinee hero that Charlton Heston plays. For example, Numbers 31 is omitted from The Ten Commandments.

Numbers 31 described Moses’ followers fighting the people of Midian. “They fought against Midian, as the Lord commanded Moses, and killed every man,” the passage reads. “Among their victims were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba — the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam, son of Beor, with the sword. The Israelites captured the Midianite women and children and took all the Midianite herds, flocks, and goods as plunder. They burned all the towns where the Midianites had settled, as well as all their camps.”

Moses was upset that his followers didn’t kill more people. “‘Have you allowed all the women to live?’” Moses asked. “‘Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.’”

Numbers 31 remains one of the most controversial parts of the Bible. Numerous Jews and Christians have written about how readers should interpret Moses’ actions and the rationale behind them. Critics of the Bible sometimes point to this passage as an example of the flaws in biblical morality. Perhaps this story was kept out of The Ten Commandments because it was too much for family audiences to handle.

The movie ignores other aspects of Moses’ life

Additionally, the film does not show the many years Moses spends guiding the Israelites through the desert or their struggles to trust in him and God. The movie cuts these events short.

By leaving out much of the desert journey, the film presents a more streamlined version of Moses’ story. While the movie is an epic, it sacrifices some of the depth and complexity found in the Bible. This decision shapes how viewers understand Moses’ character and his relationship with the Israelites and God.