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Book 2 of 66 · Old Testament

Exodus

How God brought Israel out of slavery in Egypt, through the sea, to the mountain where He gave the law.

40 chapters1,213 versesWritten in HebrewSet Egypt and the wilderness of Sinai (c. 1440 BC)

Overview

Exodus is the story of how Israel became a nation. It opens with the descendants of Jacob enslaved in Egypt, and follows Moses — rescued as a baby, called at a burning bush — as he confronts Pharaoh through ten plagues and leads the people out through the parted sea. At Mount Sinai they receive the Ten Commandments and the law, and build the tabernacle where God will dwell among them.

Book facts

Author
Moses, by traditionTraditionally credited to Moses, its central figure; the book itself names no writer.
Date written
c. 1400 BC (traditional)The traditional date. Many scholars date the writing centuries later.
Original language
HebrewHebrew narrative and law, with a victory song in chapter 15.
Setting
Egypt and the wilderness of Sinai (c. 1440 BC)From slavery in Egypt to the mountain of God.

How it came to be

Exodus continues straight from Genesis and names no author. Jewish and Christian tradition credit Moses, the book's central figure.

It is the second book of the Torah, and its second half turns from story to law and the plans for the tabernacle.

What is arguedWhether Moses wrote it, and when — or whether — the exodus happened as described. Views range from a 15th-century event under Moses to a much later composition from older traditions.

The whole book, chapter by chapter

ChapterWhat happensWho is in itWhere it takes place
Out of Egypt — slavery, the plagues, and the escape through the sea, chapters 1–15
Chapter 1Israel in bondageThe descendants of Jacob multiply in Egypt, and a new king enslaves them and orders their baby boys killed.—
Chapter 2The birth of MosesMoses is hidden as a baby, drawn from the river by Pharaoh's daughter, and later flees to Midian after killing an Egyptian., ,
Chapter 3The burning bushGod speaks to Moses from a burning bush and sends him to bring Israel out of Egypt.
Chapter 4The signs for MosesGod gives Moses signs to prove his mission, and his brother Aaron to speak for him., ,
Chapter 5Bricks without strawPharaoh refuses to let Israel go and makes their work harder, demanding bricks without straw., ,
Chapter 6The promise renewedGod renews his promise to rescue Israel and names the family of Moses and Aaron.,
Chapter 7The river turns to bloodAaron's rod becomes a serpent, and the first plague turns the Nile to blood., ,
Chapter 8Frogs, lice, and fliesThree more plagues — frogs, lice, and flies — fall on Egypt., ,
Chapter 9Murrain, boils, and hailPlagues on the livestock, then boils, then a devastating hail.,
Chapter 10Locusts and darknessLocusts strip the land, and a thick darkness covers Egypt for three days.,
Chapter 11The final plague foretoldMoses warns of the last and worst plague: the death of every firstborn.,
Chapter 12The passoverIsrael keeps the first Passover; at midnight the firstborn of Egypt die, and Pharaoh finally lets Israel go., ,
Chapter 13The pillar of cloudThe firstborn are set apart to God, who leads Israel by a pillar of cloud and of fire.
Chapter 14The Red sea crossingPharaoh pursues; God parts the sea for Israel and drowns the Egyptian army behind them.,
Chapter 15The song of MosesMoses and Israel sing a song of victory; then the people begin to grumble for water.,
To the mountain — the journey to Sinai and the giving of the law, chapters 16–24
Chapter 16Manna and quailGod feeds Israel with manna each morning and quail in the evening., —
Chapter 17Water from the rockGod brings water from a rock, and Israel defeats Amalek while Moses' hands are held up., , ,
Chapter 18Jethro's counselMoses' father-in-law Jethro advises him to appoint judges to share the load., —
Chapter 19At mount SinaiIsrael camps at Mount Sinai, and God descends on it in fire and smoke.
Chapter 20The ten commandmentsGod speaks the Ten Commandments to Israel.
Chapter 21Laws for servantsLaws about servants, and about injury and violence.
Chapter 22Laws of restitutionLaws about property, theft, and making things right.
Chapter 23The three feastsLaws of justice and the three yearly feasts, with a promise of an angel to lead them.
Chapter 24The covenant confirmedThe covenant is sealed with blood, and Moses goes up the mountain into the cloud.,
The tabernacle — the plans for God's dwelling, the golden calf, and the tent raised, chapters 25–40
Chapter 25The ark and the tableInstructions for the ark of the covenant and the table of showbread.
Chapter 26The tabernacle curtainsInstructions for the curtains and framework of the tabernacle.
Chapter 27The altar and the courtInstructions for the bronze altar and the courtyard.
Chapter 28The priestly garmentsInstructions for the garments of Aaron and the priests.,
Chapter 29The consecration of priestsHow Aaron and his sons are to be set apart as priests.,
Chapter 30The altar of incenseThe altar of incense, the basin, the anointing oil, and the incense.
Chapter 31Bezaleel and AholiabGod appoints skilled craftsmen, Bezaleel and Aholiab, and commands the Sabbath., ,
Chapter 32The golden calfWhile Moses is on the mountain, Aaron makes a golden calf; Moses breaks the tablets in anger.,
Chapter 33The glory of the LORDMoses pleads for the people and asks to see God's glory.
Chapter 34The tables renewedGod renews the covenant and Moses cuts new tablets; his face shines.
Chapter 35The offerings for the workThe people bring willing offerings for the tabernacle.
Chapter 36The tabernacle builtThe craftsmen build the tabernacle from the people's offerings.—
Chapter 37The ark madeBezaleel makes the ark, the table, and the lampstand.—
Chapter 38The altar madeThe altar, the basin, and the courtyard are made.—
Chapter 39The garments madeThe priestly garments are finished exactly as God commanded.——
Chapter 40The tabernacle raisedThe tabernacle is set up, and the glory of the LORD fills it.—

All 40 chapters. Start reading →

Worth knowing

Key people

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Key places

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Known for

Some of the book's best-known moments — tap the verse to read it.