Exodus — Chapters

The chapter recounts the increase of the Israelites in Egypt, the fear and oppression by a new Pharaoh, and the courageous acts of the Hebrew midwives who defied the king's decree to kill newborn Hebrew boys.

The narrative follows Moses from his birth and rescue as a Hebrew child, through his youth as an Egyptian servant and subsequent flight to Midian, to his marriage and the beginning of Israel’s lament that sets the stage for divine intervention.

Moses encounters the burning bush on Mount Horeb, where God reveals Himself, commissions Moses to free Israel from Egypt, and declares His covenantal name. The chapter sets the stage for the Exodus by combining divine encounter, mission, and promise.

God equips Moses with miraculous signs to prove His power, appoints Aaron as a spokesperson, and sends Moses back to Egypt to confront Pharaoh with divine instructions.

Moses and Aaron beg Pharaoh to release Israel, but he refuses, increasing their oppression. The Israelites endure harsher labor while the Israelites cry for God's deliverance.

God reminds Moses of His covenant with the patriarchs and vows to deliver Israel from Egypt, then lists the tribes and instructs Moses and Aaron to confront Pharaoh.

God empowers Moses and Aaron to perform miracles before Pharaoh, setting the stage for the impending judgment on Egypt.

The Israelites suffer three plagues—frogs, lice, and flies—sent by God through Moses and Aaron to compel Pharaoh to release them, yet Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened.

In Exodus 9 the LORD brings the fifth through eighth plagues upon Egypt—livestock pestilence, boils, hail, thunder and fire—yet Pharaoh’s heart hardens and he refuses to release the Israelites.

Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh, threatening locusts and darkness, but Pharaoh hardens his heart yet briefly repents before the plague fully unfolds.

God announces the final plague, the death of all firstborn in Egypt, as Pharaoh refuses to let Israel go, highlighting the divine judgment against Egypt.

The Israelites are instructed to observe the Passover, a sacrificial lamb marked with blood, to escape the plague of the firstborn and be delivered from Egypt, and the covenant is established for future generations.

Exodus 13 establishes the Passover observances—sanctifying firstborns, remembering the Exodus, and keeping the Feast of Unleavened Bread—while recalling God’s deliverance and the journey into the wilderness.

God delivers Israel from Pharaoh by parting the sea, showcasing divine power and judgment against Egypt.

Moses leads Israel in a song of victory over Pharaoh’s army, Miriam joins with timbrels, and the Israelites later face bitter water at Marah but receive divine sweetening and rest at Elim.

God provides miraculous bread, manna, to the Israelites in the wilderness as a test of faith and obedience, establishing the Sabbath and covenantal provision.

The Israelites complain of thirst at Rephidim, and God provides water from a rock after Moses strikes it; then Amalek attacks and Moses, with Aaron and Hur's support, leads the Israelites to victory, and the event is recorded as a covenant reminder against Amalek.

Jethro visits Moses, praises God, and advises delegating judicial duties; Moses follows and appoints judges, easing his burden.

In Exodus 19 Moses delivers God’s covenantal promise to Israel, orders them to sanctify themselves and keep a sacred boundary, and witnesses the dramatic divine descent on Mount Sinai.

Exodus 20 records God’s revelation of the Ten Commandments at Sinai, the Sabbath law, and other moral precepts, with Moses relaying them to Israel.

Exodus 21 presents civil and criminal laws for the Israelite community, covering Hebrew slavery, personal injury, homicide, and animal‑related offenses.

Exodus 22 lays out civil and moral laws that emphasize restitution, social justice, and devotion to God.

Exodus 23 presents laws on justice, rest, and worship, warns against false witnesses and oppression, and promises God’s protection as Israel enters Canaan, while forbidding covenant with other gods.

Moses leads a covenant ceremony at Mount Sinai, reading the law, offering sacrifices, and receiving the tablets of stone, while the Israelites commit to obedience.

God instructs Moses to collect offerings and build the Tabernacle, detailing materials, dimensions, and symbolic furnishings.

Exodus 26 gives detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle’s outer walls, curtains, and interior furnishings, emphasizing precise measurements and symbolic materials.

Exodus 27 details the construction of the altar and the surrounding court, specifying materials, dimensions, and adornments, and establishes procedures for lighting and worship.

Exodus 28 details the divine appointment of Aaron and his sons as priests and prescribes the intricate design of their holy garments.

Exodus 29 records the detailed consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests, including animal offerings, anointing, clothing, and the setting of perpetual duties, culminating in God's promise to dwell among Israel.

Exodus 30 outlines the construction of the altar of incense, regulations for offerings, the establishment of a laver, and the preparation of anointing oil, setting the framework for the tabernacle’s sacred practices.

God appoints skilled artisans to build the tabernacle, commands Israel to keep the Sabbath as a perpetual covenant sign, and gives Moses the stone tablets of the law.

Moses' delayed descent leads Israelites to create a golden calf; Moses reacts by destroying the tablets, confronting Aaron, and calling for purification, resulting in Levite judgment and a plea for forgiveness.

God instructs Moses to lead Israel to the Promised Land, warns of His wrath against their stubbornness, and grants Moses a powerful yet forbidden vision of divine glory.

God renews the covenant on new stone tablets at Mount Sinai, giving Moses a detailed set of laws and promises, while Moses’ face shines as a sign of divine encounter.

Moses gathers the Israelites, commands Sabbath observance, calls for a communal offering of materials for the Tabernacle, and appoints skilled craftsmen Bezaleel and Aholiab.

Exodus 36 describes the skilled craftsmen—Bezaleel, Aholiab, and the wise men—building the Tabernacle according to God’s instructions, including curtains, boards, and ornamental coverings.

Bezaleel crafts the Ark of the Covenant, Table of Showbread, Menorah, and Incense Altar in exquisite gold and shittim wood.

Exodus 38 details the meticulous construction of the altar and court of the Tabernacle, the materials and labor involved, and records the expenses and craftsmen.

Exodus 39 details the meticulous construction of Aaron’s holy garments and the accompanying furnishings of the Tabernacle, all carried out under divine instruction.

Exodus 40 describes the completion of the tabernacle, the consecration of its furnishings, the anointing of Aaron and his sons, and the manifestation of God's presence as a cloud and fire guiding Israel.