Exodus:

Hebrew name: Ve-eleh shemoth—these are the names

English name “Exodus” is from Greek meaning way out.

2nd book of the Pentateuch

                Authorship traditionally ascribed to Moses, and it seems reasonable that he is responsible for the majority of the book (Ex. 17:14; Ex. 24:4; Ex. 34:27,28; cf. Ex. 16:33-36; Ex. 11:3).

               

Covers:

I. Moses and the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Ex. 1-18)

II. The giving of the Law (Ex. 19-40)

Covenant and Ten Commandments (Ex. 19-24)

Tabernacle (Ex. 25-40)

               

Typology in Exodus:

                                Passover (Ex. 12-13; 1 Cor. 5:7-8; 1 Pet. 1:19)

                                Crossing the Red Sea (Ex. 14; 1 Cor. 10:1-4)

                                Bread from Heaven (Ex. 16; Jn 6)

                                Water from the Rock (Ex. 17; 1 Cor. 10:1-4)

                                Blood of the covenant (24:8; Heb. 9:19-20; Mt. 26:28)                            

Tabernacle (Heb. 8-9)

 

The book of Exodus is at the heart of the Old Testament for in it God is revealed as the Covenant God who fulfills the promises given to the Patriarchs. It serves as the central event to which the rest of the Old Testament constantly refers. Finally, for Christians it symbolically represents the ultimate deliverance from slavery to sin that God offers in Jesus Christ.

 

Important Theme: God Delivers and demands obedience.

 

Date of the exodus? Scholars disagree. The Merneptah stele fixes date before which the Exodus must have occurred (1220 B.C.). Two main theories: Early date 1446/5. Late date 1290-1270.

               

The Ten Words (Commandments), Decalogue

1. No other Gods                                                  6. Do not murder

2. No images                                                         7. Do not commit adultery

3. Do not take the Lord’s name in vain          8. Do not steal

4. Keep the Sabbath day                                   9. Do not bear false witness

5. Honor Father and Mother                             10. Do not covet

 

Alternate division

1. No other Gods and No images                      6. Do not commit adultery

2. Do not take the Lord’s name in vain          7. Do not steal

3. Keep the Sabbath day                                   8. Do not bear false witness

4. Honor Father and Mother                             9. Do not covet neighbor’s house

5. Do not murder                                                 10. Do not covet neighbor’s wife and property