Exodus, THE BOOK OF EXODUS | USCCB (2024)

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 (Mt 5:2130; 15:4) as well as to New Testament and Christian moral teaching (Rom 13:810; 1Cor 10:15; 1Pt 2:9).

The principal divisions of Exodus are:

  1. Introduction: The Oppression of the Israelites in Egypt (1:12:22)
  2. The Call and Commission of Moses (2:237:7)
  3. The Contest with Pharaoh (7:813:16)
  4. The Deliverance of the Israelites from Pharaoh and Victory at the Sea (13:1715:21)
  5. The Journey in the Wilderness to Sinai (15:2218:27)
  6. Covenant and Legislation at Mount Sinai (19:131:18)
  7. Israel’s Apostasy and God’s Renewal of the Covenant (32:134:35)
  8. The Building of the Tabernacle and the Descent of God’s Glory upon It (35:140:38)

I. INTRODUCTION: THE OPPRESSION OF THE ISRAELITES IN EGYPT

Exodus, THE BOOK OF EXODUS | USCCB (2024)

FAQs

What is the main message of Exodus? ›

What's the big idea? The overall theme of Exodus is redemption—how God delivered the Israelites and made them His special people. After He rescued them from slavery, God provided the Law, which gave instructions on how the people could be consecrated or made holy.

Who actually wrote Exodus? ›

Its authorship has traditionally been ascribed to Moses. Modern scholars assign the Book to a later time than that of Moses, some holding it to be a composite work, its strata probably having been written between the 9th and 5th cents. bc. The date of the Exodus is also debated, but most scholars favour the 13th cent.

What does the Book of Exodus teach us? ›

As students study this book they will learn about the Lord's power to deliver them from sin. They will also learn that commandments, ordinances, and covenants can help them prepare to receive the blessings of eternal life.

What are the four main parts of Exodus? ›

The principal divisions of Exodus are:
  • Introduction: The Oppression of the Israelites in Egypt (1:1–2:22)
  • The Call and Commission of Moses (2:23–7:7)
  • The Contest with Pharaoh (7:8–13:16)
  • The Deliverance of the Israelites from Pharaoh and Victory at the Sea (13:17–15:21)

What are two key lessons from Exodus? ›

The book of Exodus teaches that the Lord is the one true God and the ruler of all creation. And when the Lord decides to do something, no one can stop him.

What is the key verse of Exodus? ›

Exodus 3:14 is one of the key verses in the entire Bible. Here, God is speaking to Moses out of a miraculous occurrence: a bush which is on fire, but not burnt up. God has declared His intent to free Israel from their slavery under Egypt.

Is Exodus in the Bible a true story? ›

Most mainstream scholars do not accept the biblical Exodus account as history for a number of reasons. Most agree that the Exodus stories were written centuries after the apparent setting of the stories.

What religion is the story of Exodus? ›

Judaism's weekly Torah portions in the Book of Exodus

Bo, on Exodus 10–13: Last plagues of Egypt, first Passover.

Is The Book of Exodus accurate? ›

The lack of evidence has led scholars to conclude that the Exodus story does not represent a specific historical moment. The Torah lists the places where the Israelites rested.

Do Christians believe in the book of Exodus? ›

We find that Jesus Christ affirmed the Biblical account of the Exodus as true, and He based some of His teachings on it. Reminding His countrymen that God had miraculously provided food for them during 40 years in the wilderness, He said: Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died.

What is the key point of Exodus? ›

God is on a mission to confront evil in his world, redeem those enslaved to evil, and bring them to the promised land where his divine presence will live among them. This is what it looks like when God becomes King over his people.

Why is Exodus so important? ›

The significance of the Exodus. The Torah mentions the exodus from Egypt again and again. It is a mitzvah to recall the fact that G-d took our forefathers out of Egypt and freed us from bondage each day. The Exodus clearly plays a central role in Judaism.

What are the ten plagues? ›

The Ten Plagues of Egypt in Order are: water turning to blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the killing of firstborn children. These plagues are recorded in the Bible, and were sent by God after Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites leave Egypt.

What is the most important event in the Book of Exodus? ›

Exodus (meaning: "mass migration or exiting of a people from an area") is the second book of the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible. The major events of the book concern the calling of the prophet Moses as well as the departure of the Israelites from Egypt.

Is Exodus in the Catholic Bible? ›

Exodus is the second book of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible and also commonly referred to as the five books of Moses), and it's where we find the stories of the Ten Plagues, the first Passover, the parting of the Red Sea, and the Ten Commandments.

What is the primary purpose of the Exodus? ›

Answer and Explanation: The main purpose of the Book of Exodus is to demonstrate the importance of the Israelites' covenant with God. The book begins with the Israelites in bondage in Egypt. It follows the efforts of Moses and God to free the Israelites from slavery.

What were the four major themes of Exodus? ›

Exodus Themes
  • God's Identity and Power. ...
  • Redemption and Deliverance. ...
  • The Covenant. ...
  • Mediators and the Priesthood.
May 20, 2021

What is one reason that the Exodus is important? ›

Answer: Moses led the Jews out of slavery in Egypt and led them to the Holy Land that God had promised them. The escape of the Jews from Egypt is remembered by Jews every year in the festival of Passover.

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