Exodus

Law · Old Testament · Traditionally Moses · Traditionally 15th-13th century BCE; final redaction 6th-5th century BCE

Exodus narrates the departure of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses. It covers their journey through the wilderness to Mount Sinai, the reception of the divine Covenant, and the construction of the Tabernacle.

40 chapters

• 1Exodus 1Israel multiplies in Egypt, prompting a new Pharaoh to enslave them and command midwives to kill Hebrew baby boys.
• 2Exodus 2Pharaoh's daughter adopts the infant Moses, who later flees to Midian after killing an Egyptian taskmaster.
• 3Exodus 3God encounters Moses in a burning bush at Horeb, revealing His name and commissioning him to deliver Israel from Egypt.
• 4Exodus 4Equipped with miraculous signs and joined by his brother Aaron, Moses returns to Egypt to rally the Israelites.
• 5Exodus 5Pharaoh rejects Moses and Aaron's request to free Israel, instead increasing the slaves' labor by withholding straw for bricks.
• 6Exodus 6God reaffirms His covenant with Moses using His name Yahweh, but the Israelites reject the message; a priestly genealogy is listed.
• 7Exodus 7Aaron's staff becomes a serpent, and God initiates the plagues by turning the Nile River and all Egypt's water into blood.
• 8Exodus 8Egypt suffers the plagues of frogs, lice, and flies, yet Pharaoh repeatedly hardens his heart and refuses to free the Israelites.
• 9Exodus 9God sends plagues of livestock disease, boils, and severe hail, yet Pharaoh hardens his heart and refuses to yield.
• 10Exodus 10Following devastating plagues of locusts and three days of deep darkness, Pharaoh refuses Moses's final demands and threatens him with death.
• 11Exodus 11God announces the final plague on the firstborn, and Moses warns Pharaoh of the impending disaster before departing in anger.
• 12Exodus 12God establishes the Passover ritual, strikes down Egypt's firstborn, and the Israelites finally begin their departure from the land.
• 13Exodus 13God commands the consecration of the firstborn, and leads the departing Israelites using pillars of cloud and fire.
• 14Exodus 14When Pharaoh's army traps Israel at the Red Sea, God parts the waters for Israel but drowns the Egyptians.
• 15Exodus 15Israel sings praises for their deliverance, then travels into the wilderness where God sweetens the bitter waters at Marah.
• 16Exodus 16God provides quail and daily manna to the murmuring Israelites in the wilderness, establishing the Sabbath day of rest.
• 17Exodus 17Moses miraculously brings water from a rock at Rephidim, and Joshua defeats the Amalekites while Aaron and Hur support Moses' hands.
• 18Exodus 18Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, visits him in the wilderness and advises him to appoint judges to help govern the people.
• 19Exodus 19Israel encamps at Mount Sinai, where God descends in fire, smoke, and thunder to prepare the people for His covenant.
• 20Exodus 20God delivers the Ten Commandments to Israel from Mount Sinai, and the terrified people ask Moses to act as their mediator.
• 21Exodus 21God delivers ordinances concerning Hebrew servants, personal injuries, manslaughter, kidnapping, and property damage caused by animals.
• 22Exodus 22The law details restitution for theft, property damage, animal safekeeping, social and moral guidelines, and duties to the vulnerable.
• 23Exodus 23God commands justice, Sabbath rest, three annual feasts, and promises an angel to guide and protect Israel into Canaan.
• 24Exodus 24Moses and the elders ratify the covenant with blood, and Moses ascends Mount Sinai to receive the stone tablets.
• 25Exodus 25God requests free-will offerings and instructs Moses on constructing the Ark of the Covenant, the table, and the lampstand.
• 26Exodus 26God commands Moses to build the Tabernacle with ten ornamental curtains, wooden boards, silver sockets, and an inner dividing veil.
• 27Exodus 27God instructs Moses to build the bronze altar, design the surrounding outer courtyard, and secure oil for the continually burning lamp.
• 28Exodus 28God institutes the priesthood for Aaron and his sons, specifying the design of their elaborate sacred garments and breastpiece of judgment.
• 29Exodus 29God details the seven-day consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons, along with the requirements for daily burnt offerings.
• 30Exodus 30God instructs Moses on making the golden incense altar, the bronze basin, the holy anointing oil, and the sacred incense compound.
• 31Exodus 31God appoints skilled craftsmen to build the tabernacle, commands Sabbath observance, and delivers the two stone tablets of the covenant.
• 32Exodus 32While Moses is delayed, Aaron fashions a golden calf, prompting divine anger, Moses' intercession, the tablets' destruction, and severe judgment.
• 33Exodus 33Moses pleads for God's presence to accompany Israel, meets Him in the tent, and asks to see the divine glory.
• 34Exodus 34God renews the covenant, writes the commandments on new stone tablets, and Moses descends Mount Sinai with a shining face.
• 35Exodus 35Moses reminds Israel of Sabbath laws, collects voluntary materials, and appoints Bezalel and Oholiab to lead the tabernacle's construction.
• 36Exodus 36Moses halts the overwhelming offerings, and Bezalel and Oholiab construct the tabernacle's curtains, coverings, boards, and veil.
• 37Exodus 37Bezalel constructs the sacred furniture of the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, table, golden lampstand, and incense altar.
• 38Exodus 38Artisans make the bronze altar, basin, and outer court, and Ithamar records the massive amounts of metal used in construction.
• 39Exodus 39Craftsmen weave the priestly garments, and Israel completes all the tabernacle components, presenting them to Moses for inspection and blessing.
• 40Exodus 40Moses sets up and consecrates the Tabernacle as instructed, after which the glory of Yahweh fills the completed structure.