[[exodus-01|[Next →]]] --- # Exodus, the Book of Exodus ## The Book of Exodus The second book of the Pentateuch is called Exodus, from the Greek word for “departure,” because its central event was understood by the Septuagint’s translators to be the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. Its Hebrew title, *Shemoth* (“Names”), is from the book’s opening phrase, “These are the names….” Continuing the history of Israel from the point where the Book of Genesis leaves off, Exodus recounts the Egyptian oppression of Jacob’s ever-increasing descendants and their miraculous deliverance by God through Moses, who led them across the Red Sea to Mount Sinai where they entered into a covenant with the Lord. Covenantal laws and detailed prescriptions for the tabernacle (a portable sanctuary foreshadowing the Jerusalem Temple) and its service are followed by a dramatic episode of rebellion, repentance, and divine mercy. After the broken covenant is renewed, the tabernacle is constructed, and the cloud signifying God’s glorious presence descends to cover it. These events made Israel a nation and confirmed their unique relationship with God. The “law” (Hebrew *torah*) given by God through Moses to the Israelites at Mount Sinai constitutes the moral, civil, and ritual legislation by which they were to become a holy people. Many elements of it were fundamental to the teaching of Jesus (([[matthew-05|Mt 5]]:21] – [30]; [15:4]) as well as to New Testament and Christian moral teaching ([Rom 13:8] – [10]; [[1-corinthians-10|1 Cor 10]]:1] – [5]; [1 Pt 2:9]). The principal divisions of Exodus are: 1. Introduction: The Oppression of the Israelites in Egypt ([1:1] – [2:22]) 2. The Call and Commission of Moses ([2:23] – [7:7]) 3. The Contest with Pharaoh ([7:8] – [13:16]) 4. The Deliverance of the Israelites from Pharaoh and Victory at the Sea ([13:17] – [15:21]) 5. The Journey in the Wilderness to Sinai ([15:22] – [18:27]) 6. Covenant and Legislation at Mount Sinai ([19:1] – [31:18]) 7. Israel’s [[apostasy]] and God’s Renewal of the Covenant ([32:1] – [34:35]) 8. The Building of the Tabernacle and the Descent of God’s Glory upon It ([35:1] – [40:38]) # Exodus – Chapter Index - [[exodus-00|Exodus, the Book of Exodus]] - [[exodus-01|Exodus, Chapter 1]] - [[exodus-02|Exodus, Chapter 2]] - [[exodus-03|Exodus, Chapter 3]] - [[exodus-04|Exodus, Chapter 4]] - [[exodus-05|Exodus, Chapter 5]] - [[exodus-06|Exodus, Chapter 6]] - [[exodus-07|Exodus, Chapter 7]] - [[exodus-08|Exodus, Chapter 8]] - [[exodus-09|Exodus, Chapter 9]] - [[exodus-10|Exodus, Chapter 10]] - [[exodus-11|Exodus, Chapter 11]] - [exodus, Chapter 12](exodus-12.md) - [exodus, Chapter 13](exodus-13.md) - [exodus, Chapter 14](exodus-14.md) - [exodus, Chapter 15](exodus-15.md) - [exodus, Chapter 16](exodus-16.md) - [exodus, Chapter 17](exodus-17.md) - [exodus, Chapter 18](exodus-18.md) - [exodus, Chapter 19](exodus-19.md) - [exodus, Chapter 20](exodus-20.md) - [exodus, Chapter 21](exodus-21.md) - [exodus, Chapter 22](exodus-22.md) - [exodus, Chapter 23](exodus-23.md) - [exodus, Chapter 24](exodus-24.md) - [exodus, Chapter 25](exodus-25.md) - [exodus, Chapter 26](exodus-26.md) - [exodus, Chapter 27](exodus-27.md) - [exodus, Chapter 28](exodus-28.md) - [exodus, Chapter 29](exodus-29.md) - [exodus, Chapter 30](exodus-30.md) - [exodus, Chapter 31](exodus-31.md) - [exodus, Chapter 32](exodus-32.md) - [exodus, Chapter 33](exodus-33.md) - [exodus, Chapter 34](exodus-34.md) - [exodus, Chapter 35](exodus-35.md) - [exodus, Chapter 36](exodus-36.md) - [exodus, Chapter 37](exodus-37.md) - [exodus, Chapter 38](exodus-38.md) - [exodus, Chapter 39](exodus-39.md) - [exodus, Chapter 40](exodus-40.md) --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C.