Literary and historical context · Law and covenant
World, setting, and sequence
Keep places, audiences, sequence, and historical claims clearly labeled.
Use this page with the passage open. Follow the references, test each conclusion, and return to the whole book for context.
A clear route through the whole book
The units preserve the book’s order. Read the surrounding passage whenever a unit crosses a chapter boundary, and do not let a memorable verse replace the argument or story around it.
- Exodus 1:8–22Hebrew families laboring under Egyptian oppression
- Exodus 2:1–10The basket among the Nile reeds as Pharaoh’s daughter discovers the child and Miriam watches nearby
- Exodus 2:11–25Moses as a fugitive beside the well in Midian, helping the shepherd women before joining Jethro’s household
- Exodus 3:1–4:17Moses before the burning bush
- Exodus 4:27–31Moses and Aaron meeting the elders of Israel as the people respond in worship
- Exodus 5:1–23Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh while the burden on the brickmakers increases
- Exodus 6Exodus 6: a guided close reading of the complete chapter
- Exodus 7:14–11:10A sequence for the plagues: Nile turned to blood, frogs filling homes, hail over crops, locust-darkened fields, and unnatural darkness
- Exodus 12:1–36A household preparing and eating the Passover in readiness to leave
- Exodus 12:37–13:22Israel departing Egypt with families, livestock, carried goods, and the pillar guiding the journey
- Exodus 14:1–31The sea crossing as the waters divide, families move through, and Pharaoh’s force approaches from behind
- Exodus 15:1–21Moses, Miriam, and the people singing after deliverance
- Exodus 16:1–36Families gathering manna across the wilderness floor at dawn
- Exodus 17:1–16Water from the rock and the battle with Amalek as Aaron and Hur support Moses’ raised hands
- Exodus 18:1–27Jethro advising Moses while long lines of people wait for judgment
- Exodus 19:1–20:21Israel gathered at Sinai beneath cloud, fire, smoke, and trumpet terror
- Exodus 21Exodus 21: a guided close reading of the complete chapter
- Exodus 22Exodus 22: a guided close reading of the complete chapter
- Exodus 23Exodus 23: a guided close reading of the complete chapter
- Exodus 24:1–18Covenant confirmation at the mountain and Moses entering the cloud
- Exodus 25:1–31:18Craftspeople studying materials and plans for the tabernacle, ark, lampstand, altar, garments, and courtyard
- Exodus 32:1–35The golden calf gathering and Moses descending with the tablets before the people
- Exodus 33:1–34:35Moses interceding outside the camp, returning with renewed tablets, and his face shining after speaking with the Lord
- Exodus 35:1–39:43Bezalel, Oholiab, women spinning, metalworkers, woodworkers, and the community completing the tabernacle
- Exodus 40:1–38The completed tabernacle filled with cloud and glory while the people stand at a respectful distance