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Exodus is the second book of the Pentateuch. It follows Genesis and precedes Leviticus. Its central event, as suggested by its name, is the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.
The book picks up where Genesis left off, recounting the story of how the seventy descendants of Jacob went down to Egypt, where the Israelites are enslaved (Exodus 1). Although the Pharaoh attempted to kill all the Hebrew boys, a baby named Moses is saved. He grows up, and, after killing a man, goes into exile in Midian, where he marries and has children (Exodus 2). God calls Moses back to rescue his people (Exodus 3), and imbues him with supernatural powers (Exodus 4). After an unsuccessful attempt by Moses to bring out the Israelites with Pharaoh's permission (Exodus 5), God commissions Moses to force the issue, and strikes Egypt with a plague of blood (Exodus 6, Exodus 7). Plagues follow in succession: frogs, gnats, flies (Exodus 8), livestock deaths, boils, hail (Exodus 9), locusts, darkness (Exodus 10), and the death of firstborns (Exodus 11).
On the eve of the Exodus, the first passover is celebrated, (Exodus 12) and the Israelites begin their journey out of Israel (Exodus 13). When Pharaoh gives chase, his army is miraculously drowned (Exodus 14). After some celebration, the people begin complaining (Exodus 15), and God provides manna and quail (Exodus 16). The complaints resume, and the Israelites fight the Amalekites (Exodus 17). Moses' father-in-law suggests a more hierarchical approach to the management of Israel (Exodus 18). The Israelites gather at Sinai (Exodus 19), where God gives the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)[1] and other legislation (Exodus 21, 22, 23). Moses and the seventy elders of Israel climb Sinai to worship leaving the people in the hand of Aaron (Exodus 24). On the mountain, God gives Moses plans for the tabernacle (Exodus 25, 26, 27) and the priesthood (Exodus 28, 29) and so on (Exodus 30). God chooses craftsmen to build the tabernacle, institutes the Sabbath, and gives Moses laws on stone tablets (Exodus 31). While Moses is up on the mountain, Aaron and the people make a golden calf and worship it (Exodus 32). God announces that this generation has forfeited the opportunity to conquer Canaan, and speaks with Moses (Exodus 33). God gives Moses the ten commandments again (Exodus 34).[2]
Moses speaks to the community about the Sabbath and the tabernacle (Exodus 35), and construction of the tabernacle begins (Exodus 36, 37, 38). Priestly garments are made and Moses inspects the tabernacle (Exodus 39). The tabernacle is set up for use and the glory of Yahweh fills it (Exodus).
Driver, S. R. (1918). The Book of Exodus: In the Revised Version: With Introduction and Notes.
Murphy, James G. (1881). A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Exodus with a New Translation. (On Murphy's general approach, see here).
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