Exodus: Summary & Key Themes

The Book of Exodus at a glance, before you read it.

Written by	Moses (traditional)
Written for	Israel
Type	Law
Chapters	40
Position	Book 2 of 66 · book 2 of the Old Testament

Summary

God hears Israel’s cry in Egyptian slavery, calls Moses, sends the plagues and brings His people out through the Red Sea. At Sinai He gives the Ten Commandments and instructions for the tabernacle, where He will dwell among them.

Main themes

deliverance
the law
God’s presence

Key verse

I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Exodus 20:2 (KJV)

How to read Exodus

Try one chapter a day: 40 days to finish. Ask three questions as you go: what did this mean to the first readers, what does it show about God, and what does it ask of me?

Previous: Genesis · Next: Leviticus