Home > Books

Exodus

The book of Exodus tells the story of the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land. The Israelites, who had been in Egypt for generations, were oppressed by the Egyptians and cried out to God for help. God heard their cries and sent Moses to lead them out of Egypt, performing miracles and wonders along the way, including the parting of the Red Sea. After their deliverance, the Israelites received the Ten Commandments and instructions for building the tabernacle, a portable place of worship. The book also details the construction of the tabernacle and the priestly garments, as well as the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. However, the Israelites' impatience and idolatry led to God's anger, and Moses had to intercede on their behalf. Ultimately, the book of Exodus ends with the completion of the tabernacle and the glory of the Lord filling it, guiding the Israelites on their journey.

Chapter 1
The sons of Israel, numbering 70, entered Egypt with Jacob and eventually increased and multiplied, filling the land. A new king arose who was unaware of Joseph and feared the Israelites' growing numbers, so he oppressed them with hard labor and forced them to build cities for Pharaoh. The Egyptians hated the Israelites and made their lives bitter, but the Israelites continued to multiply. The king ordered the midwives to kill newborn Hebrew males, but the midwives feared God and disobeyed, and as a result, God blessed them and the Israelites continued to increase.
Chapter 2
A Levite's daughter hid her newborn son for three months before placing him in a basket and setting him afloat on the Nile River, where he was discovered by Pharaoh's daughter, who adopted him and named him Moses. As Moses grew up, he witnessed the suffering of his Hebrew brothers and killed an Egyptian who was beating one of them, but when the act became known, Moses fled to Midian, where he helped the seven daughters of a priest and eventually married one of them, Zipporah. Moses had two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, and after the king of Egypt died, the Israelites cried out to God, who heard their groaning and remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Chapter 3
Moses encountered God in a burning bush while tending his father-in-law's sheep, and God revealed himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God instructed Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, promising to be with him and to free the Israelites from their oppressors. Moses questioned his ability to fulfill this task, and God provided him with a sign and a name to use when speaking to the Israelites: "I AM WHO AM" or "HE WHO IS." God then instructed Moses to gather the Israelite elders and to demand that Pharaoh release the Israelites, warning that Pharaoh would not comply without a show of divine power.
Chapter 4
Moses expressed his concerns to God that the Israelites would not believe him, and God responded by giving Moses three signs to prove his authority: turning his staff into a snake, making his hand leprous, and turning the Nile's water into blood. Moses then asked God to send someone else, citing his lack of eloquence, but God instead told him that his brother Aaron would speak for him. God instructed Moses to return to Egypt, where he would perform wonders before Pharaoh, but God would harden Pharaoh's heart. On his journey back to Egypt, Moses was met by God, who was angry that Moses' son had not been circumcised, but after Zipporah circumcised their son, God spared Moses' life. Moses then met Aaron in the desert and explained God's words and signs to him, and together they gathered the Israelite elders and performed the signs, causing the people to believe and worship God.
Chapter 5
Moses and Aaron demanded that Pharaoh release the Israelites to worship in the desert, but Pharaoh refused, claiming he didn't know the Lord and ordering the Israelites to return to their labor. Pharaoh then increased the Israelites' workload by requiring them to gather their own straw to make bricks, while maintaining the same quota. The Israelites were unable to meet the quota and were beaten by Pharaoh's taskmasters, leading them to complain to Pharaoh and then to Moses and Aaron, who felt they had been made to appear foolish before Pharaoh. Moses then questioned God about why He had sent him to Pharaoh, as the situation had only worsened for the Israelites.
Chapter 6
The Lord reminds Moses of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give them the land of Canaan, and that he has heard the Israelites' groaning under Egyptian oppression. The Lord instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that he will lead them out of Egypt and into the promised land, but the Israelites do not believe Moses due to their anguish and hard labor. The Lord then gives Moses and Aaron a command to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to speak to Pharaoh, despite Moses' concerns about his ability to speak effectively. The chapter also lists the genealogy of the leaders of the Israelites, including the sons of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi.
Chapter 7
The Lord instructed Moses to speak to Pharaoh through Aaron, and warned that He would harden Pharaoh's heart, causing him to refuse to release the Israelites. Moses and Aaron obeyed, and Aaron's staff turned into a snake before Pharaoh, but the Egyptian sorcerers replicated the miracle. The Lord then instructed Moses to meet Pharaoh by the river and warn him to release the Israelites, threatening to turn the river's water into blood if he refused. When Pharaoh still refused, Aaron struck the river with his staff, turning the water into blood and killing the fish, but the Egyptian sorcerers again replicated the miracle, and Pharaoh's heart remained hardened.
Chapter 8
The Lord instructed Moses to tell Pharaoh to release the Israelites to worship Him, but if he refused, the Lord would send frogs to infest Egypt. When Pharaoh refused, Aaron struck the waters with his staff, and frogs covered the land. Pharaoh asked Moses to pray for the frogs to be removed, and they were. However, Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to release the Israelites. The Lord then sent stinging insects to afflict Egypt, but the sorcerers were unable to replicate this miracle. The Lord also sent flies to infest Egypt, except for the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived. Pharaoh asked Moses to sacrifice to the Lord in Egypt, but Moses refused, saying they needed to go into the wilderness to worship. Pharaoh agreed to let them go, but only a short distance, and Moses prayed for the flies to be removed.
Chapter 9
The Lord instructed Moses to tell Pharaoh to release the Israelites, warning that if he refused, a severe pestilence would afflict Egypt's animals, but spare those of the Israelites. The plague occurred, killing all of Egypt's animals, but Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. The Lord then sent a plague of sores and swelling pustules on men and beasts throughout Egypt, but Pharaoh still refused to release the Israelites. The Lord then sent a hail storm that destroyed everything outside in Egypt, except in the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived. Pharaoh asked Moses to pray for the storm to cease, promising to release the Israelites, but after the storm stopped, Pharaoh changed his mind and refused to release them.
Chapter 10
The Lord instructed Moses to tell Pharaoh to release the Israelites, but Pharaoh refused, and the Lord sent a plague of locusts that devoured all the remaining plants in Egypt. Pharaoh then asked Moses to pray for the locusts to be taken away, and the Lord sent a strong wind to blow them into the Red Sea. However, the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart again, and he refused to release the Israelites. A third plague followed, a thick darkness that lasted for three days, but the Israelites had light in their homes. Pharaoh again asked Moses to leave, but only if they left their livestock behind, which Moses refused, and Pharaoh threatened to kill Moses if he saw him again.
Chapter 11
The Lord tells Moses that one more plague will be inflicted on Pharaoh and Egypt, after which the Israelites will be released. The Israelites are instructed to ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold vessels, as the Lord will grant them favor in the sight of the Egyptians. The Lord announces that He will enter Egypt at midnight and strike down every firstborn, from Pharaoh's son to the firstborn of the lowliest servant, but the Israelites will be spared.
Chapter 12
The Lord instructed Moses and Aaron to establish the Passover, a ritual in which the Israelites would sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood, so that the Lord would "pass over" their homes and spare their firstborn sons from death. The Israelites were to eat the lamb with unleavened bread and wild lettuce, and to consume it in haste, with their belts fastened and their sandals on their feet. The Lord then struck down the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, but spared the Israelites, and Pharaoh ordered the Israelites to leave Egypt immediately. The Israelites departed, taking their livestock and spoils with them, and the Lord led them out of Egypt in their companies.
Chapter 13
The Lord instructs Moses to sanctify every firstborn among the Israelites and their cattle, as they belong to Him. The Israelites are to remember the day they were led out of Egypt and to celebrate it by eating unleavened bread for seven days. When they enter the land promised to their fathers, they will set aside for the Lord all that opens the womb and redeem every firstborn son with a price. The Lord led the Israelites around the desert by the Red Sea, guiding them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Chapter 14
The Lord instructed Moses to lead the Israelites to encamp by the sea, where Pharaoh would pursue them, allowing the Lord to be glorified. Pharaoh and his army followed the Israelites, trapping them between the sea and the desert. The Israelites cried out to the Lord in fear, but Moses reassured them that the Lord would fight on their behalf. The Lord then instructed Moses to lift his staff and divide the sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground, while the Egyptians followed and were ultimately destroyed by the returning waters.
Chapter 15
Moses and the Israelites sang a song of praise to the Lord after their deliverance from the Egyptians, describing God's power and strength in defeating their enemies. The song also expressed the Israelites' gratitude and reverence for God, who had become their salvation and strength. The Israelites then journeyed through the desert, but found no water for three days, and when they arrived at Marah, they were unable to drink the bitter waters. Moses cried out to the Lord, who showed him a tree to cast into the waters, making them sweet, and the Lord established instructions and judgments for the Israelites, promising to be their healer if they obeyed His commands.
Chapter 16
The Israelites, after leaving Elim, arrived in the desert of Sin and began to murmur against Moses and Aaron, complaining about the lack of food. The Lord responded by promising to provide bread from heaven, which would test their obedience to His law. The Lord provided quails in the evening and manna in the morning, instructing the Israelites to collect only what they needed for each day. However, some disobeyed and stored manna overnight, which spoiled. The Lord then instructed them to collect a double portion on the sixth day, which would last through the Sabbath, and the Israelites were to rest on the seventh day. The people eventually obeyed, and the manna continued to be their food for forty years until they reached the land of Canaan.
Chapter 17
The Israelites, while traveling through the desert, arrived at Rephidim where they found no water and began to argue with Moses, questioning God's presence among them. In response, God instructed Moses to strike a rock with his staff, and water flowed out for the people to drink. The Israelites were then attacked by the Amalekites, and Moses instructed Joshua to lead the fight against them. During the battle, Moses held up his staff, and as long as his hands were raised, the Israelites prevailed, ultimately defeating the Amalekites.
Chapter 18
Jethro, Moses' kinsman, visited Moses in the desert with his wife and sons, and Moses shared with him the story of Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Jethro rejoiced and offered sacrifices to God, acknowledging His greatness. The next day, Jethro observed Moses judging the people and advised him to appoint leaders to help with the task, warning that he would be consumed by the workload alone. Moses took Jethro's counsel and appointed capable men to lead the people, dividing the burden and allowing him to focus on more serious matters.
Chapter 19
The Israelites arrived in the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp near the mountain. God called Moses to ascend the mountain and instructed him to tell the Israelites that if they obeyed God's voice and kept His covenant, they would be His special possession and a holy nation. Moses relayed God's message to the people, who agreed to obey, and God told Moses to prepare the people for His descent onto the mountain on the third day. On the third day, God descended onto Mount Sinai in a display of thunder, lightning, and smoke, and He called Moses to the summit to receive instructions and warnings to keep the people from approaching the mountain.
Chapter 20
The Lord spoke to the Israelites, reminding them of their deliverance from Egypt and establishing the foundation of their relationship with Him. He gave them the Ten Commandments, which include worshiping only Him, not making idols, not taking His name in vain, keeping the Sabbath, honoring parents, and not committing murder, adultery, theft, or bearing false witness. The people were terrified by the display of God's power and asked Moses to speak to them instead, and Moses reassured them that God's intention was to test and instruct them. The Lord then instructed Moses to tell the Israelites not to make idols of silver or gold, but to make an altar of earth or uncut stone to offer sacrifices, and to approach the altar in a way that maintains modesty.
Chapter 21
The laws for Hebrew servants state that they must be released after six years of service, unless they choose to remain with their lord, in which case their ear is pierced as a sign of perpetual servitude. Daughters sold into servitude are treated differently, and their lord must provide for them according to the custom with daughters. Various punishments are established for violent crimes, including murder, striking one's parents, and causing harm to others, with penalties ranging from death to restitution. The law of retaliation, "an eye for an eye," is also established. Additionally, laws are set forth regarding the liability of ox owners for damages caused by their animals, and the responsibility of individuals for injuries or deaths caused by their actions or negligence.
Chapter 22
Restitution must be made for stolen or damaged property, with the thief often required to repay double the value of what was taken. If a thief is unknown, the owner of the house may be brought before the heavens to swear that they did not lay their hand on the goods of their neighbor. If an animal is entrusted to someone's care and is injured or dies, the caregiver may be required to make restitution unless they can swear that they did not cause the harm. Those who harm or oppress the poor, widows, or orphans will be punished by God. The Israelites are also commanded to lend money to the poor without usury, to return pledges before sunset, and to give their tithes and first-fruits to God.
Chapter 23
The Israelites are instructed to uphold justice and truth, not following the crowd or showing favoritism to the poor or the rich. They are to treat their enemies' animals with kindness and respect the Sabbath, allowing their animals to rest. The Israelites are also commanded to celebrate three annual feasts, appear before the Lord three times a year, and not worship foreign gods. God promises to send an angel to guide and protect them, and to drive out the inhabitants of the land they are to possess, but warns them not to make a pact with these people or worship their gods.
Chapter 24
Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 elders ascended to the Lord, but only Moses was allowed to approach. Moses explained the Lord's words and judgments to the people, who agreed to obey, and he wrote down the Lord's words. Moses then built an altar, offered sacrifices, and sprinkled the blood of the covenant on the people. Afterward, Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the 70 elders saw the God of Israel and ate and drank, and the Lord instructed Moses to ascend the mountain to receive the law and commandments written on stone tablets.
Chapter 25
The Lord instructs Moses to have the Israelites bring offerings of various materials, including gold, silver, and fine linens, to build a sanctuary where God will dwell among them. The sanctuary is to be built according to a specific design, with an ark made of setim wood overlaid with gold, a propitiatory with two Cherubim, a table for the bread of presence, and a lampstand with seven lamps. Each item is to be crafted with precise details and made from the finest materials, including gold.
Chapter 26
The tabernacle is to be constructed with ten curtains of fine linen, hyacinth, purple, and scarlet, joined together with loops and gold rings. Eleven haircloth canopies will cover the roof, joined with brass buckles, and an additional covering of ram skins and violet-colored skins will be added. The standing panels of the tabernacle will be made of setim wood, with silver bases and gold overlay, and connected with bars. A veil of hyacinth, purple, and scarlet will divide the Sanctuary and the Sanctuary of Sanctuaries, and the ark of the testimony, propitiatory, table, and lampstand will be placed accordingly.
Chapter 27
The altar for burnt offerings is to be made of setim wood, five cubits square and three cubits high, with horns at the four corners and covered in brass. The altar's vessels, including pans, tongs, and receptacles for fire, are also to be made of brass. The atrium of the tabernacle is to be constructed with fine twisted linen hangings, supported by columns with brass bases and silver heads. The atrium's dimensions are to be 100 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 5 cubits high, with all vessels and tent pegs made of brass.
Chapter 28
God instructs Moses to have Aaron and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, serve as priests. Moses is to have skilled craftsmen make holy vestments for Aaron, including a breastplate, ephod, tunic, headdress, and wide belt, using gold, hyacinth, purple, scarlet, and fine linen. The ephod is to have two onyx stones with the names of the sons of Israel engraved on them, and the breastplate is to have twelve stones, each with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The vestments are to be worn by Aaron when he enters the Sanctuary, serving as a reminder of the sons of Israel and carrying their names before the Lord.
Chapter 29
Aaron and his sons are to be consecrated as priests through a ritual involving the sacrifice of a calf and two rams, as well as the offering of unleavened bread and oil. Aaron is to be clothed in priestly vestments and anointed with oil, and his sons are to be clothed in linen tunics and have headdresses imposed upon them. The calf is to be sacrificed as a sin offering, and the rams are to be offered as burnt offerings and a consecration offering. The priests are to eat the flesh of the ram of consecration and the loaves of bread in the holy place. The altar is to be cleansed and anointed for seven days, and a lamb is to be offered as a burnt offering twice daily.
Chapter 30
The Lord instructs Moses to build an altar for burning incense, made of setim wood and overlaid with gold, with horns and a crown, and to place it in front of the ark of the testimony. Aaron is to burn incense on it twice a day, and once a year he is to make atonement over it with the blood of a sin offering. The Lord also instructs Moses to collect a half-shekel from each Israelite 20 years and older, to be used for the tabernacle. A bronze washtub is to be made for Aaron and his sons to wash in before entering the tabernacle or approaching the altar. The Lord also gives instructions for making holy oil of unction and incense, which are to be used to anoint and sanctify the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests.
Chapter 31
The Lord appointed Bezalel and Oholiab to lead the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings, filling them with the Spirit of God and granting them wisdom and knowledge in various crafts. The Lord instructed Moses to have the artisans create the tabernacle, its vessels, and the priestly garments according to His instructions. The Lord also commanded the Israelites to observe the Sabbath, a sign of the covenant between God and the Israelites, and warned that anyone who worked on the Sabbath would be put to death. After giving these instructions, the Lord gave Moses two stone tablets of testimony written with His finger.
Chapter 32
The Israelites, impatient for Moses' return from the mountain, asked Aaron to create gods for them, and he made a molten calf from their gold earrings. They worshiped the calf, and Aaron built an altar and proclaimed a festival in its honor. God told Moses of the Israelites' sin and threatened to destroy them, but Moses interceded, reminding God of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. When Moses returned to the camp, he saw the calf and the people's revelry, and in anger, he broke the tablets of the testimony and destroyed the calf. He then ordered the Levites to kill those who had participated in the idolatry, resulting in the deaths of about 23,000 men. The next day, Moses prayed for the people's forgiveness, offering to be deleted from God's book if they were not forgiven, but God said he would punish those who had sinned and still lead the people to the promised land.
Chapter 33
The Lord instructs Moses to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, but warns that He will not go with them because of their stiff-necked nature, instead sending an angel to guide them. The people mourn and remove their ornaments as a sign of repentance. Moses sets up the Tabernacle of the Covenant outside the camp, where he meets with the Lord face to face. Moses asks the Lord to show His face and to precede the Israelites into the Promised Land, and the Lord agrees, but warns Moses that no man can see His face and live. The Lord promises to show Moses His glory, but only from behind, and to protect him with His right hand as He passes by.
Chapter 34
The Lord instructs Moses to cut out two new tablets of stone to replace the ones he broke, and to ascend Mount Sinai alone. The Lord then descends in a cloud and proclaims his name and character, describing himself as merciful, lenient, and truthful. Moses asks the Lord to walk with the people and take away their iniquities, and the Lord agrees to make a covenant with them. The Lord then gives Moses instructions on how to worship him, including the destruction of idols and the observance of certain festivals, and commands the people to set apart the firstborn of their sons and animals as his own. Moses writes down the words of the covenant and spends 40 days and nights on the mountain, after which he descends with the two tablets, his face radiant from his encounter with the Lord.
Chapter 35
Moses instructed the Israelites to observe the Sabbath and not do any work on that day, and then he relayed God's instructions to gather offerings for the construction of the tabernacle. The Israelites willingly donated various materials, including gold, silver, and fine linens, as well as their skills and expertise. Moses then appointed Bezalel and Oholiab, who were filled with the Spirit of God, to oversee the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings.
Chapter 36
The skilled artisans, led by Bezalel and Oholiab, worked on the construction of the Sanctuary, using the donations given by the Israelites. The people offered more than what was needed, so Moses ordered them to stop giving. The artisans then made the curtains, canopies, and panels for the tabernacle, using fine materials and skilled craftsmanship. They also made the veil, columns, and other components, overlaying them with gold and using silver and brass for the bases.
Chapter 37
Bezalel made the ark from setim wood, clothed it with gold, and added a crown and four gold rings for carrying. He also made the propitiatory with two Cherubim of ductile gold, the table from setim wood with a gold ledge, and the lampstand from the finest gold with six branches. Additionally, he created vessels for the table, the altar of incense from setim wood with a gold crown, and composed the oil for the ointment of sanctification and the incense.
Chapter 38
The altar of holocaust was made from setim wood, covered in brass, and had various vessels and a grating made of brass. The washtub was made from the mirrors of the women who kept watch at the tabernacle, and the atrium had hangings of fine twisted linen, columns of brass, and bases and heads of silver. The columns of the atrium were overlaid with silver, and the entrance had a hanging wrought with embroidery. The instruments of the tabernacle were enumerated according to Moses' instruction, and the materials used, including gold, silver, and brass, were accounted for.
Chapter 39
The skilled craftsmen made the priestly garments, including the ephod, breastplate, and tunic, using gold, precious stones, and fine linens, as instructed by the Lord. The breastplate was set with twelve stones, each engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The craftsmen also made the other priestly garments, including fine linen tunics and headdresses. When the work on the tabernacle and its furnishings was completed, the sons of Israel offered all the items to Moses, who blessed them after verifying that everything had been made according to the Lord's instructions.
Chapter 40
The Lord instructed Moses to set up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month, placing the ark, table, lampstand, and altar of gold in their designated positions, and anointing them with oil to sanctify them. Moses followed the Lord's instructions, raising the tabernacle and positioning its components, and then brought Aaron and his sons to the entrance to be washed and clothed in holy vestments. After completing the setup, the cloud covered the tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled it, making it impossible for Moses to enter. The cloud's presence determined the Israelites' movements, staying in place when the cloud remained over the tabernacle and setting out when it departed.
Share this book