Bible Book of Exodus | Deliverance from Egyptian Bondage

Follow the miraculous rescue of Israel from Egyptian slavery and the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. Exodus chapters with summary and commentary.

Genre: Pentateuch. Theme: Deliverance from Egyptian Bondage

  • Author: Moses
  • Date: c. 1445 - 1405 BC
  • Read Time: 180 mins
  • Purpose: To record the redemption of Israel from slavery and the giving of the Law.
  • Key Verse: Ex 3:14 - And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM.
  • Christ: The Passover Lamb, the Manna from heaven, and the Tabernacle.
  • Audience: The newly liberated Hebrew nation at the base of Mount Sinai
  • Legal Foundation: The Decalogue (Ten Commandments) and the civil laws for a new society.
  • Miracles: The Ten Plagues and the Parting of the Red Sea.
  • Miracle Peak: The Ten Plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea.

Exodus documents the formal transition of Israel from a large family of slaves into a sovereign nation-state governed by a divine constitution.

The book's architecture moves from the 'Out' (Egyptian bondage) to the 'In' (the Tabernacle), illustrating the shift from physical rescue to spiritual habitation.

Presents Jesus as the Passover Lamb (12:3-13) and the Manna from heaven (16:4).

Exodus 1 - Children of Israel

The Israelites prospered in Egypt, but a new king arose and forced them into hard labour. He commanded that their baby boys be killed.

Exodus 2 - The story of Moses

Pharaoh's daughter found a Hebrew baby by the river. She named him Moses. When he grew up, Moses killed an Egyptian and fled to Midian.

Exodus 3 - Moses and the Burning Bush

Moses saw a burning bush. God told him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses asked God his name and God said, "I am who I am."

Exodus 4 - Rod of Moses

The LORD gave Moses signs so that the people would listen. Moses was afraid, so the LORD sent his brother Aaron to speak for him.

Exodus 5 - First Encounter with Pharaoh

Moses and Aaron told Pharaoh to let the Israelites go into the desert to worship. Pharaoh refused and increased their workload instead.

Exodus 6 - God Promises Deliverance

The LORD told Moses that he would lead the Israelites out of Egypt to the promised land. Aaron and Moses were from the tribe of Levi.

Exodus 7 - Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh. Aaron's staff became a snake, then the LORD turned the Nile to blood, but Pharaoh wouldn't listen.

Exodus 8 - Plague of Frogs

The LORD sent a plague of frogs on Egypt. Pharaoh begged for relief but then hardened his heart. The LORD sent gnats and then flies.

Exodus 9 - The Fifth Plague: Egyptian Livestock Die

The LORD sent a plague on the livestock of Egypt, then boils and then hail. Pharaoh begged for relief but then his heart was hardened.

Exodus 10 - Plague of Locusts

The LORD sent a plague of locusts. Pharaoh begged for relief but then his heart was hardened. The LORD sent darkness for three days.

Exodus 11 - A Final Plague Threatened

The LORD said that he would send one more plague, and then Pharaoh would let the Israelites go: all the firstborn Egyptians would die.

Exodus 12 - The First Passover

The LORD told the Israelites to take Passover. That night all the firstborn Egyptians were killed. Pharaoh told the Israelites to go.

Exodus 13 - Consecration of the Firstborn

The LORD told the Israelites to consecrate their firstborns to him. He guided them as a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night.

Exodus 14 - Moses parting the Red Sea

Pharaoh's army caught the Israelites by the sea. The LORD parted the waters and the Israelites crossed. The Egyptian army was drowned.

Exodus 15 - Song of Moses

The Israelites sang: "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea." They camped at Elim.

Exodus 16 - Manna from Heaven in the Desert

The Israelites grumbled to Moses that they had no food, so each day the LORD provided quails and manna. They rested on the sabbath.

Exodus 17 - Water from the Rock

The LORD told Moses to strike a rock to provide water. Amalek attacked Israel, but as Moses held up his arms Joshua's army prevailed.

Exodus 18 - Jethro's Advice to Moses

Moses' father-in-law Jethro came and offered sacrifices to God. He suggested that Moses appoint leaders to help him judge the people.

Exodus 19 - Moses at Mount Sinai

The Israelites camped near the mountain in Sinai. The LORD spoke to Moses on the mountain and made his covenant with Israel.

Exodus 20 - The Ten 10 Commandments

I am the LORD your God. Honour the LORD above everything. Keep the Sabbath. Honour your parents. Don't do wrong to your neighbours.

Exodus 21 - Laws About Slaves

If you buy a Hebrew slave he shall go free in the seventh year. Whoever kills shall be put to death. Whoever injures shall compensate.

Exodus 22 - Laws About Social Justice

Whoever steals shall make restitution. If a man sleeps with a virgin he shall marry her. You shall not oppress strangers or the poor.

Exodus 23 - Laws About the Sabbath and Festivals

You shall not pervert justice. Each year you shall hold feasts. My angel will lead you and I will drive your enemies from the land.

Exodus 24 - Israel Affirms the Covenant

The people said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do", and they offered sacrifices. The LORD told Moses to stay on the mountain.

Exodus 25 - Contributions for the Sanctuary

Tell the Israelites to make a sanctuary for me. Make an ark with a mercy seat and two cherubim. Make a table. Then make a lampstand.

Exodus 26 - Plans for the Tabernacle

Make a tabernacle of fine linen. Make curtains of goats' hair to cover the tabernacle. Make boards of acacia wood and a linen veil.

Exodus 27 - The Bronze Altar

Make an altar of acacia wood with bronze utensils. Make a court for the tabernacle of fine linen hangings and bronze pillars.

Exodus 28 - Aaron's priestly graments

Set apart Aaron and his sons to minister as priests. Make a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a tunic, a turban and a sash for them.

Exodus 29 - Consecration of the Priests

Sacrifice a young bull and two rams to consecrate Aaron and his sons. Make daily sacrifices on the altar and I will dwell with Israel.

Exodus 30 - The Altar of Incense

Make an altar for burning incense. The Israelites shall each give half a shekel. Make a bronze laver. Make anointing oil and incense.

Exodus 31 - Bezalel and Oholiab

I have filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, with skill to make everything I have commanded. The seventh day is a Sabbath of rest.

Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf

While Moses was away the people worshipped a golden calf. Moses pleaded with the LORD for them, but then had three thousand killed.

Exodus 33 - The Command to Leave Sinai

Moses set up a tent of meeting. He said to the LORD, "Don't send us from here without your presence." The LORD passed near to Moses.

Exodus 34 - Moses Makes New Tablets

Moses made new tablets for the law. The LORD spoke to him and made a covenant with Israel. When Moses returned his face was shining.

Exodus 35 - Rules of Sabbath

Moses told the Israelites to keep the Sabbath. He called for craftsmen to make the tabernacle. The people gave gifts for the work.

Exodus 36 - Wise Hearted Bezalel, Oholiab and craftsmen

The people gave more than enough. The craftsmen made the curtains. Bezalel made the curtains, the boards, the veil and the pillars.

Exodus 37 - Construction of the Ark of the Covenant

Bezalel made the ark with its cherubim, the table, the lampstand and the incense altar. He made the anointing oil and the incense.

Exodus 38 - Making the Altar of Burnt Offering

Bezalel made the altar of burnt offering, the laver and the court. Ithamar kept an inventory of the gold, silver and bronze used.

Exodus 39 - Making the Priestly Garments

They made the ephod, breastplate, tunics, turban and sash for Aaron. Moses saw that it had all been made as the LORD had commanded.

Exodus 40 - The Tabernacle Erected

Moses set up the tabernacle and brought the ark into it, as the LORD had commanded. Then the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.