Exodus

Deliverance

The Book of Exodus is the second book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It tells the story of the Israelites, who were descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their slavery in Egypt. The book begins with the story of Moses, who was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery. With the help of Aaron, his brother, and various miracles, Moses confronts Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, and demands that he release the Israelites. Pharaoh refuses, and God sends ten plagues upon the Egyptians to persuade Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Eventually, Pharaoh agrees, and the Israelites leave Egypt in a mass exodus known as the Exodus.The book also includes the story of the Ten Commandments, which were given to the Israelites by God at Mount Sinai. These commandments include instructions on how to worship God, how to treat others, and how to live a righteous life.

Commentary

40 chapters

Biblical figures

Key figures in Exodus

God

Supreme Being

Israel

King

Moses

Prophet, biblical judge

Judah

Tribal leader

Egypt

Pharaoh

Dan

Judge

Jacob

Prophet, Patriarchs

Levi

Priest

Aaron

High Priest of Israel

Philistine

Enemy

Pharaoh

Ben

Son of Jacob.

Abraham

Prophet, patriarch

Joseph

Prophet, Vizier

Joshua

Prophet

Benjamin

Son of Jacob.

Canaan

Land of Canaan

Eve

Mother of all humankind

Isaac

Prophet, patriarch

Edom

Chief of Edom.

Gad

prophet

Reuben

Firstborn of Jacob.

Ram

Judge

Hebron

City

Eleazar

High Priest of Israel

Midian

Judge

Simeon

Priest

Naphtali

Tribal leader

Zebulun

Asher

Tribal leader.

Issachar

Tribal leader.

Merari

Levite

Sinai

Prophet.

Gershon

Musician

Korah

Rebel.

Phinehas

High Priest of Israel

Elkanah

Priest

Hezron

Ancestor

Uzziel

Leader.

Amram

Father of Moses

Horeb

Mountain

Eliezer

Servant

Goshen

Chief Magistrate

Miriam

Prophetess

Gershom

Priest

Elim

No specific positionheld is listed for the figure Elim in the Bible.

Izhar

Head of a father's house

Jethro

Prophet

Reuel

Chief of Midian

Bezaleel

Master Craftsman

Carmi

No information found for figure "Carmi" in the Bible.

Jachin

High Priest

Mishael

Position held: Governor.

Shaul

King

Tarry

Position held: Judge.

Jamin

Unknown

Libni

Chief of the Gershonite family

Meribah

Rebelled against Moses and Aaron

Hanoch

Enoch - Prophet

Massa

Leader.

Marah

Etham

Rameses

Zohar

Zipporah

Jemuel

Jochebed

Ohad

Elisheba

Mahali

Manna

Onyx

Shiphrah

Abihu

Eli

High Priest of Israel, biblical judge

Ithamar

Moab

Nadab

Chapters

Oppression in Egypt

Exodus 1

The Israelites are enslaved in Egypt and God chooses Moses to lead them out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. Moses is initially hesitant, but God gives him signs to perform in order to convince the Israelites and the Pharaoh that he is their leader.

Moses Flees to Midian

Exodus 2

Moses kills an Egyptian and flees to Midian, where he marries Zipporah and has a son.

God Calls Moses at the Burning Bush

Exodus 3

God speaks to Moses from a burning bush and tells him to return to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of slavery. God gives Moses his name, "I am who I am."

Moses Returns to Egypt

Exodus 4

Moses returns to Egypt and performs the signs that God has given him, but the Pharaoh still refuses to let the Israelites go.

Pharaoh Refuses to Let the Israelites Go

Exodus 5

The Pharaoh increases the workload of the Israelites, but Moses and Aaron continue to press him to let them go.

God Promises to Deliver the Israelites

Exodus 6

God reminds Moses of his promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and confirms that he will free the Israelites from slavery and bring them to the Promised Land.

The First Plague: Nile River Turned to Blood

Exodus 7

God sends plagues upon Egypt, but the Pharaoh still refuses to let the Israelites go.

The Second, Third and Fourth Plagues: Frogs, Lice and Flies

Exodus 8

The plagues of frogs, gnats and flies come upon Egypt, but still the Pharaoh refuses to let the Israelites go.

The Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Plagues: Livestock, Boils and Hail

Exodus 9

The plagues of livestock, boils and hail come upon Egypt, but still the Pharaoh refuses to let the Israelites go.

The Eighth and Nineth Plagues: Lucost and Darkness

Exodus 10

The plagues of lucost and darkness come upon Egypt, but still the Pharaoh refuses to let the Israelites go.

The Tenth Plague: The Death of the Firstborn

Exodus 11

The final plague, the death of the firstborn, causes the Pharaoh to finally let the Israelites go.

Passover

Exodus 12

God institutes Passover

Firstborn Males

Exodus 13

God commands that the Israelites are to set apart all firstborn males for him.

Pharaoh's Regret

Exodus 14

The Pharaoh regrets letting the Israelites go and pursues them with his army. The Israelites are trapped at the Red Sea, but God parts the sea for them to cross on dry land. The Egyptians are drowned when the sea closes back up.

A Song to Praise God

Exodus 15

Moses and the Israelites sing a song of praise to God for delivering them from the Egyptians.

Manna for the Israelites

Exodus 16

God provides manna and quail for the Israelites to eat in the wilderness.

Water from the Rock

Exodus 17

The Israelites complain about the lack of water and God provides water from a rock.

Jethro Visits Moses in the Wilderness

Exodus 18

Moses' father-in-law Jethro visits him and advises him to appoint leaders to help him govern the Israelites.

Arrival at Mount Sinai

Exodus 19

God tells the Israelites to prepare for his arrival on Mount Sinai and gives them instructions for building the tabernacle, which will be his dwelling place among them.

The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20

God gives the Israelites the Ten Commandments, which include prohibitions against idolatry, murder, theft, and bearing false witness, as well as the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy.

Rules for Slaves, Murderers, and Other Offenses

Exodus 21

God gives laws for slavery, personal injury, and property damage.

Rules for Worship and Holiness

Exodus 22

Laws are given for various crimes such as theft, false accusation, and mistreatment of foreigners.

The Three Annual Festivals

Exodus 23

God commands the Israelites to keep the Sabbath and to celebrate three annual festivals: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest and the Feast of Ingathering.

The Covenant Confirmed

Exodus 24

Moses, Aaron, and the seventy elders of Israel go up the mountain to worship God and see him.

Instructions for Building the Tabernacle

Exodus 25

God gives instructions for building the Ark of the Covenant, the Table for the Bread of the Presence, and the Lampstand.

The Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle

Exodus 26

Instructions for making the tabernacle and its furnishings, including the curtain, the Ark of the Covenant, and the table for the Bread of the Presence.

The Bronze Altar and the Courtyard

Exodus 27

Instructions for making the bronze altar and the court around the tabernacle.

The Priestly Garments

Exodus 28

Instructions for making the priestly garments and anointing the priests.

The Consecration of the Priests

Exodus 29

Instructions for the consecration of the priests and the altar.

The Bronze Laver and the Incense Altar

Exodus 30

Instructions for making the incense altar and the anointing oil, and for the atonement money.

The Skilled Craftsmen

Exodus 31

Instructions for the Sabbath and for the craftsmen who will make the tabernacle and its furnishings.

The Golden Calf

Exodus 32

The Israelites make a golden calf while Moses is on the mountain receiving the commandments. Moses breaks the tablets and asks God to forgive the Israelites.

Moses Intercedes for the Israelites

Exodus 33

Moses talks to God face to face, and God tells him that his presence will not go with the Israelites.

The Renewal of the Covenant

Exodus 34

Moses receives a new set of tablets and God reiterates the Ten Commandments.

Contributions for the Tabernacle

Exodus 35

The Israelites bring materials for making the tabernacle and its furnishings.

The Construction of the Tabernacle

Exodus 36

The Israelites build the tabernacle and its furnishings according to God's instructions.

The Ark of the Covenant

Exodus 37

The Ark of the Covenant, the Table of the Bread of the Presence, and the Lampstand are built.

The Bronze Altar

Exodus 38

The bronze altar, the court around the tabernacle, and the bronze basin are built.

The Priestly Garments

Exodus 39

The priests' garments and the anointing oil are made.

The Tabernacle Erected and Dedicated

Exodus 40

The tabernacle is set up and the Ark of the Covenant is placed inside. The curtain is hung and the table for the Bread of the Presence and the lampstand are set up.