The Book of Exodus
Exodus recounts Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. It is the foundational story of Israel as God's covenant nation.
- Testament
- Old (40 chapters)
- Type
- Law
- Author
- Traditionally Moses, who is its main character. Like Genesis, modern scholarship sees layered authorship; the core Sinai narrative is among the oldest material in the Bible.
- Date
- Events traditionally dated to the 13th c. BC, in the exodus from Egypt under Pharaoh Ramses II (an earlier 15th c. BC date is also defended).
Liberation and identity
Israel goes from slavery to covenant freedom. The Passover (Exodus 12) becomes the Jewish calendar's anchor and prefigures Christ — 'Christ our passover is sacrificed for us' (1 Corinthians 5:7). The exodus pattern (slavery → deliverance → wilderness → promise) shapes Christian baptism and Easter.
Law as gift, not burden
The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and the Sinai covenant frame God's law as the constitution of a free people. Tabernacle construction occupies the final third of the book — extraordinary attention to how God dwells with his people on the move.
Key verses (KJV)
“And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” — Exodus 20:1-2 (KJV)
“I AM THAT I AM.” — Exodus 3:14 (KJV)
“The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.” — Exodus 15:3 (KJV)
How to read Exodus
The narrative chapters (1-20, 32-34) are gripping. The tabernacle and law sections (21-31, 35-40) are heavier — skim if needed on a first read, return slowly later. Pair with the Passover (Exodus 12) at Easter.
Read Exodus on your iPhone
Read the full book of Exodus in Quiethaven — choose your translation, read offline, and pick up where you left off. Pair it with a daily verse and a prayer timer.
Read Exodus free on iPhone.
Download on the App Store