Names of the Book
English: | Exodus |
Hebrew: | שׁמוֹת |
Transliterated: | Shemot ("Names") |
Other names: |
Who
Wrote the book: | Moses |
Are the key people: | Moses, Miriam, Aaron, Joshua, Bezalel, Jethrom, Pharaoh, Pharaoh's daughter |
Is it written to: | The people of Israel |
What
Israel in Egypt and the story of the plagues (Exodus 1:1-12:30) |
Israel in the Wilderness and the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 12:31-18:27) |
Israel at Mt. Sinai, the giving of the Torah, and the building of the tabernacle (Exodus 19:1-40:38) |
When
Was it written: | c 1450-1410 BCE |
Did the events occur: | c 1476 BCE |
Was it canonized: | c 499-100 BCE |
(see the Timeline of the Tanakh) |
Where
Was it written: | At Mt. Sinai (Exodus 24:4) |
Did the events occur: | Egypt, the Red Sea, the wilderness, and Mt. Sinai |
Why
Exodus was written to inform us that: |
G-d is the Redeemer. |
G-d is the Protector. |
G-d is the Savior. |
G-d is the Law-giver. |
Introduction
The book of Exodus is a narrative history that describes G-d's fulfillment of His promise to Abraham to make his descendants into a great nation, His deliverance of that nation from slavery in Egypt, and His betrothal of that nation to Himself with the covenant at Mount Sinai. That nation, called Israel, was led by Moses as G-d's chosen agent and leader. Moses delivered G-d's commandments, ordinances, and rulings that would govern life and worship for Israel. He also led the nation in the construction of the tabernacle, a place where G-d's presence dwelled among His people and where they made sacrifices and offerings to Him.
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