Moritz Heidenheim came from a Jewish Orthodox family in Worms and aspired to a career as a rabbi. He studied and earned his doctorate at the University of Giessen. Shortly thereafter, he converted to Christianity. He left Germany in 1852 and studied Anglican theology at King's College in London. After his ordination, he served in a parish in the West End. Heidenheim's theology was influenced by the ideas of Frederick Denison Maurice, the founder of Christian socialism. Later, Heidenheim saw himself as a mediator between English and German theology. After dedicating himself to the study of manuscripts in Rome from 1862 to 1864, he took up the position of Anglican chaplain in Zurich, serving in this role from 1864 to 1889. Since 1864, Heidenheim also lectured as a private lecturer at the University of Zurich on the Old Testament, rabbinic literature, and Semitic studies.