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Exodus

Old Testament · Pentateuch

Israel's enslavement in Egypt, deliverance through Moses, and covenant formation at Sinai.

Testament

Old Testament

Category

Pentateuch

Chapters

40 of 40 processed

Order

2 of 73

Chapter Coverage

40 of 40 chapters processed from Exodus, with a short summary plus themes and links to related people, places, objects, and units in the encyclopedia.

Chapter 1

Israel multiplies in Egypt after Joseph's generation dies. A new Pharaoh who never knew Joseph enslaves them to build Pithom and Rameses; the Hebrew midwives Shiphrah and Puah defy his order to kill newborn boys, and Pharaoh finally commands that every boy be thrown into the river.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Sons of Jacob in Egypt; Joseph's generation dies
Israel multiplies; new Pharaoh fears them
Forced labour: store-cities of Pithom and Rameses
Shiphrah and Puah defy Pharaoh; boys cast into the river

Chapter 2

A Levite couple hide their newborn son among the reeds; Pharaoh's daughter draws him out, names him Moses, and raises him. Grown, Moses kills an Egyptian, flees to Midian, marries Zipporah, and fathers Gershom. God hears Israel's groaning and remembers his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Levite birth; basket among the reeds
Pharaoh's daughter adopts Moses
Moses kills an Egyptian and flees to Midian
Reuel, Zipporah, and Gershom in Midian
God hears Israel's cry; remembers the covenant

Chapter 3

While tending Jethro's flock, Moses comes to Horeb where the angel of Yahweh appears in a blazing bush that is not burnt up. Yahweh reveals himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, names himself I am, and sends Moses to Pharaoh to bring Israel out of Egypt to a land flowing with milk and honey.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Burning bush at Horeb, the mountain of God
God of the ancestors; holy ground and commission
Land of milk and honey; six peoples named
I am sends Moses to Pharaoh and the elders
Israel will not leave empty-handed

Chapter 4

Yahweh gives Moses three signs—staff to snake, a diseased hand restored, and river water to blood—and appoints Aaron as his mouthpiece. Moses returns toward Egypt with Zipporah and his son; Zipporah circumcises their son on the way. Aaron meets Moses at the mountain of God, and the elders believe and worship.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Three signs: staff, hand, and water to blood
Aaron the Levite appointed as mouthpiece
Leave from Jethro; return toward Egypt
Zipporah's flint circumcision; blood-bridegroom
Aaron meets Moses; elders believe and worship

Chapter 5

Moses and Aaron tell Pharaoh to let Israel go for a feast in the desert. Pharaoh refuses, denies knowing Yahweh, and intensifies labour: no straw for bricks, same quota. Taskmasters harass the people, the foremen are flogged, and they blame Moses and Aaron; Moses asks Yahweh why the people are treated so harshly.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Let my people go; Pharaoh refuses Yahweh
No straw; same brick quota
Foremen flogged; appeal to Pharaoh fails
Foremen blame Moses; Moses cries to Yahweh

Chapter 6

Yahweh assures Moses that Pharaoh will be forced by a mighty hand, reveals himself as Yahweh, and promises to free Israel from Egyptian forced labour. Moses and Aaron deliver the message, even though the people are crushed. The chapter also records Israel’s family lines—Reuben and Simeon’s clans and Levi’s descendants—culminating in Aaron and Moses being commissioned to lead Israel out in their armies.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Yahweh’s revelation and covenant promises
Family lines of Reuben and Simeon
Levi’s descendants to Kohath and Aaron’s line
Aaron and the commissioned leaders for the exodus

Chapter 7

Yahweh appoints Moses as a god for Pharaoh and Aaron as his prophet. When Pharaoh demands a sign, Aaron's staff becomes a serpent, and Egypt’s magicians replicate the wonder but fail to stop the judgement. Yahweh strikes the Nile so its waters turn to blood and the fish die. After a week, frogs are foretold as the next plague if Pharaoh still refuses to let Israel go.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Aaron’s serpent sign and Egypt’s magicians replicate
Waters turn to blood; fish die and Egypt cannot drink
Pharaoh remains obstinate despite the judgement
Frogs foretold for Pharaoh’s refusal

Chapter 8

Pharaoh’s pleas are answered: Moses entreats Yahweh and the frogs die, but Pharaoh becomes obstinate again. Yahweh then turns the dust of Egypt into mosquitoes and declares his judgement through a failed attempt by the magicians. Next comes horseflies: the land is ruined, yet Goshen is exempt. Pharaoh allows sacrifice only within limits; Moses prays and the horseflies leave, and Pharaoh again refuses to let Israel go.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Frogs over Egypt; Moses intercedes and they die
Mosquitoes from the dust; magicians fail
Horseflies swarm; Goshen is spared
Limited release to sacrifice; Pharaoh remains obstinate

Chapter 9

Yahweh strikes Egypt in three waves: a deadly plague on livestock, boils from kiln soot, and devastating hail with thunder and lightning. Israel is spared, Goshen is protected, and even some of Pharaoh’s officials begin to fear Yahweh’s word. Yet Pharaoh hardens again after the storm ends.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Livestock plague distinguishes Egypt from Israel
Boils from soot and kiln; magicians fail
Hail, thunder, and lightning devastate Egypt
Pharaoh admits sin, then hardens again

Chapter 10

Yahweh sends locusts to consume what the hail left in Egypt, and Pharaoh’s officials admit the country is ruined. When Pharaoh hardens again, Yahweh sends a darkness that can be felt over Egypt while Israel has light. Pharaoh offers partial concessions, but Moses refuses, and the confrontation ends with Pharaoh threatening Moses’ life.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Locusts consume Egypt after the hail
Pharaoh bargains, then asks prayer again
Darkness over Egypt, but Israel has light
No hoof left behind; Pharaoh threatens Moses

Chapter 11

Yahweh announces one last plague, after which Pharaoh will drive Israel out. The people are to ask Egyptian neighbours for silver and golden jewellery. Moses warns that at midnight every first-born in Egypt will die while Israel is left in silence, then leaves Pharaoh hot with anger. Yahweh makes Pharaoh stubborn so more wonders may be displayed.

ThemeKey figures & entries
One last plague; Pharaoh will drive Israel out
Silver and golden jewellery from neighbours
Midnight: first-born of Egypt will die
Israel spared; never a dog shall bark
Officials will bow; Pharaoh stays stubborn

Chapter 12

Yahweh institutes Passover: an unblemished lamb or kid, blood on lintel and door-posts, and a meal of roasted flesh with unleavened bread eaten in haste. At midnight the first-born of Egypt die; Pharaoh drives Israel out. They despoil the Egyptians, leave Rameses for Succoth after 430 years, and receive the lasting Passover law.

ThemeKey figures & entries
First month; Passover lamb or kid without blemish
Blood on lintel; roasted with unleavened bread
Eaten in haste; the plague passes over
Feast of Unleavened Bread; no leaven
Hyssop, basin, and the Destroyer
Midnight: first-born die; Pharaoh drives Israel out
Jewellery and clothing; Rameses to Succoth
Passover law: circumcision and unbroken bones

Chapter 13· 22 verses

Yahweh claims Israel's first-born. Moses commands Unleavened Bread in Abib and the redeeming of first-born sons and donkeys. God leads Israel a roundabout way through the desert of the Sea of Reeds rather than Philistine territory. Moses takes Joseph's bones; they camp at Etham, led by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Consecrate the first-born to Yahweh
Unleavened Bread in Abib; milk and honey
Redeem first-born donkey and sons
Roundabout way via the Sea of Reeds
Joseph's bones; Succoth to Etham
Pillar of cloud by day, pillar of fire by night

Chapter 14· 31 verses

Yahweh has Israel camp at Pi-Hahiroth, facing Baal-Zephon, so Pharaoh will pursue. Pharaoh takes six hundred of the best chariots. Israel is terrified; Moses tells them Yahweh will fight. Moses stretches his staff over the sea; an easterly wind makes dry land. The angel of God and the pillar of cloud stand between the armies. The Egyptians enter the sea; Yahweh clogs their chariot wheels. The waters return; not a single one of Pharaoh's army is left. Israel sees the Egyptians dead on the shore and puts faith in Yahweh and Moses.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Camp at Pi-Hahiroth, facing Baal-Zephon
Pharaoh pursues with chariots and horsemen
Israel cries out; Moses: Yahweh will fight
Staff divides the sea; Israel walks on dry ground
Angel of God and pillar of cloud between the armies
Waters return; Yahweh overthrows Egypt

Chapter 15· 27 verses

Moses and Israel sing the Song of the Sea: Yahweh has thrown horse and rider into the Sea of Reeds. Miriam the prophetess leads the women with tambourines. They enter the desert of Shur, find bitter water at Marah which Yahweh makes sweet with a piece of wood, and camp at Elim by twelve springs and seventy palm trees.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Song of the Sea: horse and rider thrown in
Peoples tremble: Philistia, Edom, Moab, Canaan
Miriam and the women with tambourines
Desert of Shur; Marah's bitter water made sweet
Elim: twelve springs and seventy palm trees

Chapter 16· 36 verses

On the fifteenth of the second month Israel leaves Elim for the desert of Sin, between Elim and Sinai, and complains of hunger. Yahweh rains bread from heaven and sends quails at twilight. Each person collects a homer a day; leftovers overnight breed maggots. On the sixth day they gather a double portion for the Sabbath. They name it manna — white, like coriander seed, tasting of honey wafers. Aaron stores a homer before the Testimony. Israel eats manna for forty years, until the frontiers of Canaan. A homer is one-tenth of an ephah.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Elim to the desert of Sin, between Sinai
Complaint: flesh pots of Egypt vs starvation
Bread from heaven; daily ration and sixth-day double
Glory in the cloud; quails and manna given
Homer ration; leftover overnight breeds maggots
Sabbath: two days' food; none on the seventh
Manna named; jar stored before the Testimony
Forty years to Canaan; homer is one-tenth of an ephah

Chapter 17· 16 verses

Israel leaves the desert of Sin and camps at Rephidim, where there is no water. The people quarrel with Moses and put Yahweh to the test. Moses strikes the rock at Horeb with his staff; water comes out. He names the place Massah and Meribah. Amalek attacks; Joshua fights while Moses, Aaron and Hur hold up Moses' arms on the hill. Joshua defeats Amalek. Moses writes it in a book and builds an altar named Yahweh-Nissi: Yahweh will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Desert of Sin to Rephidim; no water
Quarrel and test: thirst from Egypt
Staff strikes the rock at Horeb
Massah and Meribah named
Amalek attacks; Joshua engages
Raised arms: Moses, Aaron and Hur
Victory written; altar Yahweh-Nissi

Chapter 18· 27 verses

Jethro, priest of Midian, hears what Yahweh has done for Israel and brings Zipporah, Gershom, and Eliezer to Moses at the mountain of God. Moses recounts the rescue; Jethro blesses Yahweh, offers sacrifice, and eats with Aaron and the elders. Seeing Moses judge the people from morning to evening, Jethro advises him to teach the law and appoint capable, God-fearing men as heads of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Moses does so; Jethro returns to his own country.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Jethro hears of the exodus
Zipporah, Gershom and Eliezer brought to Moses
Greeting at the mountain of God
Moses recounts the rescue; Jethro blesses Yahweh
Burnt offering; meal with Aaron and the elders
Moses judges the people from morning to evening
Jethro's advice: heads of thousands to tens
Moses appoints judges; Jethro returns home

Chapter 19· 25 verses

Three months after leaving Egypt, Israel camps in the desert of Sinai facing the mountain. Yahweh offers to make them his personal possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation; the people agree to obey. They sanctify themselves and wash their clothes. Limits are set round the mountain: anyone who touches it must be stoned or shot. At daybreak thunder, lightning, dense cloud and a trumpet blast fill the camp. Yahweh descends on Mount Sinai in fire; Moses goes up, is told to bring Aaron, and warned that priests and people must not break through.

ThemeKey figures & entries
From Rephidim to the desert of Sinai
Covenant offer: a kingdom of priests
Elders hear; the people agree to obey
Yahweh will speak from a dense cloud
Sanctify two days; wash clothes
Mountain limits: stoned or shot; ram's horn
Thunder, lightning, cloud and trumpet
Yahweh descends in fire; smoke wraps the mountain
Moses and Aaron; priests and people kept back

Chapter 20· 26 verses

God speaks the Ten Words: no other gods or carved images; the name of Yahweh; the Sabbath; honour for father and mother; and commands against killing, adultery, stealing, false evidence, and coveting. The people, terrified by thunder, lightning, the trumpet and the smoking mountain, ask Moses to speak for God. Moses approaches the dark cloud. Yahweh forbids gods of silver or gold and commands an altar of earth or undressed stone for burnt offerings and communion sacrifices, without a chisel or steps.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Yahweh who brought Israel out of Egypt
No other gods; no carved image
Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy
Honour parents; do not covet ox or donkey
Thunder, lightning, trumpet; the mountain smokes
Moses approaches the dark cloud
No gods of silver or gold
Altar of earth; burnt and communion offerings
Altar of undressed stone; no chisel or steps

Chapter 21· 37 verses

Yahweh gives case laws: a Hebrew slave serves six years and goes free in the seventh, unless he chooses to stay and has his ear pierced with an awl. A daughter sold as a slave has food, clothing and conjugal rights. Violence causing death is capital, unless it is unplanned and the killer takes refuge. Injury, miscarriage, and lex talionis follow. A goring ox is stoned; if it kills a slave the owner pays thirty shekels. An uncovered pit, ox against ox, and theft of ox or sheep require restitution.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Hebrew slave: six years, then free
Ear pierced with an awl at the door
Daughter sold as slave; food and clothing
Death by violence; even from my altar
Blow with stone or stick; judges decide
Slave's eye or tooth: freedom
Ox that gores a person is stoned
Thirty shekels if an ox gores a slave
Uncovered pit: ox or donkey falls in
Ox for ox; five for a stolen ox, four for a sheep

Chapter 22· 30 verses

Case laws continue: a thief caught after sunrise may be avenged; stolen livestock found alive is repaid double. Grazing or fire in another's field requires restitution. Entrusted money or animals, disputed property, and borrowed stock have rules of oath and repayment. Aliens, widows and orphans must not be oppressed. Loans must not take interest; a cloak taken in pledge is returned at sunset. Meat savaged in the countryside is thrown to the dogs.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Stolen ox, donkey or flock found alive: pay double
Grazing another's field or vineyard
Fire in thorn bushes burns the field
Entrusted money stolen: thief pays double
Disputed ox, donkey, flock or clothing before God
Do not molest aliens; you were aliens in Egypt
Do not ill-treat widows or orphans
Lend money without interest; return a cloak at sunset
Savaged meat thrown to the dogs

Chapter 23· 33 verses

Justice laws forbid false evidence, bribes, and oppressing the alien. An enemy's stray ox or donkey must be returned, and the seventh year the land lies fallow. Three annual feasts are commanded: Unleavened Bread, Harvest, and Ingathering. An angel will lead Israel to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites; their cultic stones are to be smashed. Hornets will drive the peoples out little by little. Frontiers run from the Sea of Reeds to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the River.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Return an enemy's stray ox or donkey
Do not oppress the alien; you were aliens in Egypt
Seventh year fallow: vineyard and olive grove
Seventh day rest for ox, donkey, and the alien
Feast of Unleavened Bread in Abib
Harvest, Ingathering, and first-fruits of the fields
No leavened bread with the victim; kid not boiled in milk
An angel leads to the six nations
Smash their cultic stones
Worship Yahweh; food and water blessed
Hornets drive Hivite, Canaanite and Hittite
Frontiers: Sea of Reeds to Sea of the Philistines, to the River

Chapter 24· 18 verses

Yahweh calls Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and seventy elders up the mountain; Moses alone approaches. The people swear to keep Yahweh's words. Moses builds an altar with twelve standing-stones, sprinkles the blood of the covenant, and reads the Book of the Covenant. The notables see God on a sapphire pavement and eat and drink. Moses goes up with Joshua for the stone tablets; Aaron and Hur stay with the elders. Cloud covers Sinai six days; the glory looks like devouring fire. Moses stays forty days and forty nights.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Come up: Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders
All the words Yahweh has spoken we will carry out
Altar and twelve standing-stones for the twelve tribes
Burnt offerings and bullocks as communion sacrifices
Blood of the covenant and the Book of the Covenant
They saw God; a sapphire pavement under his feet
Stone tablets of the law and the commandment
Joshua goes up; Aaron and Hur wait with the elders
Glory like fire; cloud covers Sinai forty days

Chapter 25· 40 verses

Yahweh tells Moses to take a freewill contribution from Israel: gold, silver, bronze, dyed cloth, linen, goats' hair, rams' skins, leather, acacia wood, oil, spices, incense, and cornelian for the ephod and breastplate. They are to make a sanctuary, the Dwelling, according to the design shown on the mountain. Specifications follow for the ark of the Testimony with its mercy-seat and winged creatures, a gold table for the loaves of permanent offering, and a lamp-stand of beaten gold with almond-blossom cups and seven lamps, using a talent of gold.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Contribution of gold, silver and bronze
Linen, goats' hair, rams' skins, leather, acacia wood
Oil, spices, incense; cornelian for ephod and breastplate
Make a sanctuary: the Dwelling
Ark of acacia wood; Testimony inside
Mercy-seat and winged creatures of beaten gold
Table of acacia wood; loaves of permanent offering
Lamp-stand with almond-blossom cups; seven lamps; a talent of gold

Chapter 26· 37 verses

Yahweh specifies the Dwelling: ten linen sheets embroidered with winged creatures, joined by gold clasps; a goats' hair tent over it joined by bronze clasps; covers of rams' skins and fine leather; vertical frames of acacia wood on silver sockets, with gold-overlaid crossbars. A linen curtain on gold poles divides the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, where the ark and mercy-seat stand; the table and lamp-stand stand outside the curtain. A screen of embroidered linen on bronze sockets closes the tent entrance. The Dwelling is to be erected following the design shown on the mountain.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Ten linen sheets embroidered with winged creatures
Gold clasps join the sheets into a unified whole
Goats' hair tent over the Dwelling; bronze clasps
Covers of rams' skins and fine leather
Frames of acacia wood, silver sockets, gold crossbars
Curtain between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies
Table and lamp-stand; screen at the tent entrance

Chapter 27· 21 verses

Yahweh specifies a bronze altar of acacia wood, five cubits square and three cubits high, with horns of a piece with it and a bronze grating halfway up. The court of the Dwelling is a hundred cubits by fifty, hung with finely woven linen on bronze poles and sockets, silver rods and hooks; a twenty-cubit embroidered screen closes the east gateway. Pegs for the Dwelling and court are bronze. Israel is to bring pure pounded olive oil so Aaron and his sons can keep a lamp burning from dusk to dawn in the Tent of Meeting, outside the curtain before the Testimony.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Bronze altar of acacia wood, with horns and grating
Court of the Dwelling: linen hangings, poles, sockets, screen
Silver rods and bronze pegs for the court
Olive oil for a perpetual lamp; Aaron in the Tent of Meeting

Chapter 28· 43 verses

Yahweh summons Aaron and his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar from among the Israelites to serve as priests. Sacred vestments of gold and finely woven linen are specified: ephod with cornelian shoulder-stones, breastplate of judgement a span square set with twelve stones for the sons of Israel, urim and thummim, a violet-purple robe with pomegranates and golden bells, a gold flower on the turban engraved 'Consecrated to Yahweh', tunics, belts, head-dresses and linen breeches. Aaron and his sons are to wear them when they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar, as a perpetual decree.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Aaron and his sons summoned as priests
Sacred vestments of gold and fine linen
Breastplate of judgement; urim and thummim; a span square
Twelve stones for the names of the sons of Israel
Pomegranates, golden bells, and the flower on the turban
Head-dresses and linen breeches; Tent of Meeting and altar

Chapter 29· 46 verses

Yahweh gives the rite to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests: a young bull and two unblemished rams, with a basket of unleavened bread, cakes mixed with oil, and wafers, of fine wheat flour. Aaron is vested and anointed at the Tent of Meeting; his sons receive tunics, waistbands and head-dresses. The bull is a sin offering, its blood put on the altar horns. One ram is a burnt offering; the other is the ram of investiture, its blood put on ear, thumb and toe, and its portions with the bread waved before Yahweh. For seven days the altar is purified. Two yearling lambs are offered daily with a tenth of flour and a quarter-hin of oil and wine. Yahweh will meet Israel there and dwell among them.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Bull, rams, and a basket of unleavened bread for consecration
Aaron vested and anointed at the Tent of Meeting
Sons dressed in tunics, waistbands and head-dresses
Bull as sin offering; blood on the altar horns
Rams of burnt offering and investiture; communion portion
Daily lambs with flour, oil and wine; Yahweh dwells with Israel

Chapter 30· 38 verses

Yahweh commands an incense altar of acacia wood, one cubit square and two cubits high, horns of a piece with it, overlaid with gold, set before the curtain by the ark of the Testimony and the mercy-seat. Aaron burns fragrant incense on it each morning and at twilight when he tends the lamps. No unauthorised incense, burnt offering, cereal offering or libation may go on it; once a year, on the Day of Expiation, he makes expiation on its horns with the blood of the sacrifice for sin. At a census each Israelite twenty years and over pays half a shekel, twenty gerah to the sanctuary shekel, as a ransom for the Tent of Meeting. A bronze basin on a bronze stand stands between the Tent and the altar for Aaron and his sons to wash. Holy anointing oil is blended from myrrh, cinnamon, scented reed, cassia and a hin of olive oil; incense from storax, onycha, galbanum and frankincense is reserved for Yahweh.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Gold incense altar of acacia, a cubit square, horns of a piece
Before the curtain, ark and mercy-seat; Aaron burns incense at the lamps
No burnt or cereal offering; yearly blood of the sin offering
Census ransom: half a shekel, twenty gerah to the shekel
Bronze basin for washing between Tent and altar
Holy anointing oil: myrrh, cinnamon, scented reed, cassia, a hin of oil
Incense of storax, onycha, galbanum and frankincense

Chapter 31· 18 verses

Yahweh singles out Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of Judah, filling him with the spirit of God in wisdom, knowledge and every craft: gold, silver, bronze, setting stones and wood carving. Oholiab son of Ahisamach of Dan is given to help him, with all skilled men, to make the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony, the mercy-seat, table, lamp-stand, incense altar, burnt-offering altar, basin, vestments for Aaron and his sons, anointing oil and fragrant incense. Israel must keep the Sabbath as a sign and eternal covenant; whoever works on it is put to death. After speaking on Mount Sinai, Yahweh gives Moses the two tablets of the Testimony, inscribed by the finger of God.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Bezalel of Judah, son of Uri and Hur, filled for gold, silver and bronze
Oholiab of Dan, son of Ahisamach, to make the Tent, ark and mercy-seat
Table, lamp-stand, incense altar, burnt-offering altar and basin
Vestments for Aaron; anointing oil and fragrant incense
Israelites keep the Sabbath as a sign and eternal covenant
Two tablets of the Testimony given to Moses on Mount Sinai

Chapter 32· 35 verses

While Moses is long on the mountain, the people tell Aaron to make a god to go at their head. He melts their gold rings into the statue of a calf; they shout that this is the God who brought them from Egypt, and Aaron builds an altar and proclaims a feast. They offer burnt offerings and communion sacrifices, then eat, drink and amuse themselves. Yahweh sends Moses down; Moses pleads, recalling Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Yahweh relents. Moses comes down with the two tablets of the Testimony; Joshua hears shouting; Moses shatters the tablets, burns the calf, and makes Israel drink the powder. The Levites rally to him with the sword; about three thousand perish. Moses asks to be blotted from Yahweh's book if the sin is not forgiven; Yahweh will send his angel but will punish the calf-makers.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Aaron casts a golden calf from the people's gold
Altar before the statue; burnt offerings and communion sacrifices
Moses recalls Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the stars; Egyptians would mock
Tablets of the Testimony; Joshua hears shouting
Moses burns the calf and makes Israel drink the water
Levites rally with the sword
Moses offers to be blotted from the book; the angel will go ahead

Chapter 33· 23 verses

Yahweh tells Moses to lead the people from Egypt toward the country sworn to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. An angel will go in front and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, toward a land of milk and honey, but Yahweh will not go with them lest he annihilate this obstinate people. From Mount Horeb the Israelites strip off their ornaments. Moses pitches the Tent of Meeting outside the camp; the pillar of cloud stations itself at its entrance while Yahweh speaks with Moses face to face. Joshua son of Nun stays inside the Tent. Moses pleads that Yahweh himself go with them; Yahweh agrees because Moses enjoys his favour. Moses asks to see Yahweh's glory: he will stand on the rock, be hidden in a cleft, and see Yahweh's back, but not his face.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Leave Egypt for the country sworn to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
An angel will drive out the six nations of the land
Milk and honey; Israelites strip ornaments from Mount Horeb
Tent of Meeting outside the camp; pillar of cloud at the entrance
Joshua son of Nun stays inside the Tent
Moses asks to see Yahweh's glory from a cleft of the rock

Chapter 34· 35 verses

Yahweh tells Moses to cut two new tablets of stone and come up Mount Sinai at dawn. Yahweh descends in a cloud, proclaims his name, and remakes the covenant: he will drive out the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Israel must tear down their altars, smash cultic stones, cut down sacred poles, and cast no metal gods. The feasts of Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Ingathering are commanded, with first-fruits, the first-born donkey redeemed, and no kid boiled in its mother's milk. Moses stays forty days, writes the Ten Words on the tablets, and comes down with the tablets of the Testimony. The skin of his face is radiant; Aaron and the Israelites are afraid. Moses veils his face after speaking to them.

ThemeKey figures & entries
New tablets of stone; Moses goes up Mount Sinai at dawn
Yahweh descends in a cloud and pronounces his name
Drive out the six nations of the land
Tear down altars, cultic stones, and sacred poles; no metal gods
Feast of Unleavened Bread in Abib; out of Egypt
Redeem the first-born donkey
Feast of Weeks: first-fruits of the wheat harvest
No leavened bread with the victim's blood; Passover victim
First-fruits of the soil; do not boil a kid in its mother's milk
Ten Words on the tablets of the Testimony
Moses' face is radiant; he veils it before Aaron and Israel

Chapter 35· 35 verses

Moses assembles Israel: six days' work, but the seventh is a holy Sabbath; whoever works is put to death, and no fire may be lit in the homes. He calls for a freewill contribution — gold, silver, bronze, linen, goats' hair, rams' skins, leather, acacia wood, oil, spices, incense, and cornelian for the ephod and breastplate — to make the Dwelling, ark, mercy-seat, table and loaves, lamp-stand, incense altar, burnt-offering altar, basin, court, and sacred vestments for Aaron. Men and women whose hearts prompt them bring gold jewellery and materials; skilled women spin linen and goats' hair. Yahweh has singled out Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of Judah, and Oholiab son of Ahisamach of Dan, filling them with skill and the gift of teaching.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Sabbath rest; no fire in the homes
Contribution of gold, silver and bronze
Linen, goats' hair, rams' skins, leather, acacia wood
Oil, spices, incense; cornelian for ephod and breastplate
Dwelling: tent, clasps, frames, crossbars, sockets
Ark, mercy-seat and screening curtain
Table and loaves; lamp-stand and lamps
Incense altar and screen; burnt-offering altar, grating and basin
Court, poles and pegs; vestments for Aaron
Freewill gold rings and bracelets for the Tent of Meeting
Bezalel of Judah, son of Uri and Hur, filled for every craft
Oholiab of Dan, son of Ahisamach, given the gift of teaching

Chapter 36· 38 verses

Moses summons Bezalel, Oholiab and the skilled men; they receive the Israelites' contributions for the sanctuary. The people keep bringing more every morning until the craftsmen say there is more than enough, so Moses stops further gifts. They make the Dwelling: ten linen sheets embroidered with winged creatures, joined by gold clasps; eleven goats' hair sheets for the tent, joined by bronze clasps; covers of rams' skins and fine leather; acacia frames on silver sockets with gold-overlaid crossbars; a linen curtain on gold poles in silver sockets; and an embroidered screen at the tent entrance with bronze sockets.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Bezalel and Oholiab do the sanctuary work as Yahweh ordered
Surplus offerings; Moses stops further contributions
Ten linen sheets embroidered with winged creatures
Gold clasps join the sheets into a unified whole
Goats' hair tent over the Dwelling; bronze clasps
Covers of rams' skins and fine leather
Frames of acacia wood, silver sockets, gold crossbars
Curtain embroidered with winged creatures on gold poles
Screen at the tent entrance; bronze sockets

Chapter 37· 29 verses

Bezalel makes the ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits by one and a half, overlaid with pure gold, with gold rings and shafts to carry it. He makes a mercy-seat of pure gold with two winged creatures of beaten gold at its ends, wings spread to protect the ark. He makes the table of acacia wood with struts a hand's breadth wide, gold rings and shafts, and gold dishes, cups, jars and libation bowls. He makes the lamp-stand of beaten gold with almond-blossom cups, seven lamps, snuffers and trays, using a talent of pure gold. He makes the incense altar of acacia, one cubit square and two cubits high, horns of a piece with it, overlaid with gold. He also makes the holy anointing oil and the fragrant incense, blending them as a perfumer would.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Bezalel makes the ark of acacia wood overlaid with gold
Mercy-seat and winged creatures of beaten gold
Table of acacia wood; struts a hand's breadth
Lamp-stand with almond-blossom cups; seven lamps; a talent of gold
Incense altar of acacia, a cubit square, horns of a piece
Holy anointing oil and fragrant incense

Chapter 38· 31 verses

The bronze altar of burnt offerings is made of acacia wood, five cubits square and three cubits high, with horns of a piece with it, a bronze grating halfway up, and bronze shafts. The bronze basin and its stand are made from the mirrors of the women who served at the Tent of Meeting. The court is hung with finely woven linen on bronze poles and sockets, silver hooks and rods; an embroidered screen closes the east gateway; all pegs are bronze. Moses orders the accounts of the Dwelling of the Testimony, produced by Ithamar son of Aaron; Bezalel of Judah makes everything Yahweh ordered, with Oholiab of Dan as assistant. Gold for the sanctuary is twenty-nine talents and 730 shekels; census silver is a hundred talents and 1,775 shekels, one beqa (half a shekel) per head for 603,550 persons; bronze is seventy talents and 2,400 shekels.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Bronze altar of acacia wood, with horns and grating
Bronze basin from the mirrors; Tent of Meeting
Court: linen hangings, poles, sockets, screen
Silver rods and bronze pegs for the Dwelling and court
Accounts of the Dwelling; Ithamar and the Levites
Bezalel of Judah, son of Uri and Hur, makes everything ordered
Oholiab of Dan, son of Ahisamach, assistant
Gold, silver and bronze by the sanctuary shekel; a beqa per head

Chapter 39· 43 verses

They make the sacred vestments for Aaron: an ephod of gold and finely woven linen with cornelians engraved with the names of the sons of Israel; a breastplate a span square set with twelve stones in four rows; a violet-purple robe with pomegranates and golden bells on the hem; tunics, turban, head-dresses, linen breeches and embroidered waistbands; and a gold flower engraved 'Consecrated to Yahweh' on the turban. All the work for the Dwelling, for the Tent of Meeting, is completed exactly as Yahweh ordered Moses. They bring Moses the Dwelling and all its furnishings. Moses inspects the work, finds it done as ordered, and blesses them.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Sacred vestments for Aaron, as Yahweh ordered Moses
Ephod of gold and linen; cornelians on the shoulder-straps
Breastplate a span square, of the same work as the ephod
Twelve stones for the names of the sons of Israel
Robe with pomegranates and golden bells
Tunics, turban, head-dresses, breeches and waistbands
Gold flower engraved 'Consecrated to Yahweh'
Work completed; they bring the Dwelling to Moses
Moses inspects the work and blesses them

Chapter 40· 38 verses

On the first day of the first month in the second year Moses erects the Dwelling, the Tent of Meeting. He places the ark of the Testimony behind the curtain, the table with loaves, the lamp-stand with its lamps, the golden incense altar, the screen, the altar of burnt offerings, the basin, and the court. He anoints the Dwelling, altar and basin, then dresses and anoints Aaron and his sons for an everlasting priesthood. Moses completes the work. The cloud covers the Tent and the glory of Yahweh fills the Dwelling so Moses cannot enter. Whenever the cloud rises Israel marches; fire is in the cloud at night.

ThemeKey figures & entries
Erect the Dwelling, the Tent of Meeting, on the first of the first month
Ark of the Testimony screened by the curtain
Table, lamp-stand, golden incense altar and screens
Altar of burnt offerings, basin and court
Anoint the Dwelling, altar and basin with oil
Dress and anoint Aaron and his sons for the priesthood
Moses erects sockets, frames, crossbars, poles and tent
Testimony in the ark; mercy-seat; curtain screens it
Table and loaves; lamps; incense; burnt offering and cereal offering
Basin washing; court set up; Moses completes the work
Cloud covers the Tent; glory fills the Dwelling
Cloud and fire guide Israel's march
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