Exodus study section

Exodus chapter summaries

A one-line summary of every chapter, with the period it covers. Open any chapter for the full study.

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Chapter list

Chapters 1–18

Redemption from Egypt

Israel enslaved, Moses called, the plagues, the Passover, and the crossing of the Red Sea.

Chapter 1 (c. 1876-1446 BC): Israel multiplies in Egypt; a new Pharaoh enslaves them and orders the Hebrew boys drowned, but the God-fearing midwives spare them.
Chapter 2 (c. 1526-1486 BC): Moses is born, drawn from the Nile, and raised in Pharaoh’s house; he kills an Egyptian, flees to Midian, and God hears Israel’s groaning.
Chapter 3 (c. 1446 BC): At the burning bush God reveals His name, I AM WHO I AM, and commissions Moses to deliver Israel.
Chapter 4 (c. 1446 BC): God gives Moses signs and appoints Aaron as his spokesman, and Moses returns to Egypt.
Chapter 5 (c. 1446 BC): Pharaoh scorns the LORD and increases Israel’s labor, demanding bricks without straw.
Chapter 6 (c. 1446 BC): God reaffirms His covenant with a sevenfold promise of redemption.
Chapter 7 (c. 1446 BC): Aaron’s staff swallows the magicians’, and the first plague turns the Nile to blood.
Chapter 8 (c. 1446 BC): Plagues of frogs, gnats, and flies fall, and the magicians confess the finger of God.
Chapter 9 (c. 1446 BC): Plagues on livestock, boils, and devastating hail; Pharaoh’s heart hardens again.
Chapter 10 (c. 1446 BC): Locusts strip the land and darkness covers Egypt, yet Pharaoh will not relent.
Chapter 11 (c. 1446 BC): God announces the final plague, the death of every firstborn in Egypt.
Chapter 12 (c. 1446 BC): The Passover is instituted, the firstborn of Egypt die, and Israel leaves after 430 years.
Chapter 13 (c. 1446 BC): The firstborn are consecrated, and God leads Israel by the pillar of cloud and fire.
Chapter 14 (c. 1446 BC): God parts the Red Sea, delivers Israel through it, and drowns Pharaoh’s army.
Chapter 15 (c. 1446 BC): Moses and Miriam sing of God’s victory, and bitter water is made sweet at Marah.
Chapter 16 (c. 1446 BC): God rains down manna and quail to feed Israel in the wilderness.
Chapter 17 (c. 1446 BC): Water flows from the struck rock, and Israel defeats Amalek as Moses’ hands are held up.
Chapter 18 (c. 1446 BC): Jethro counsels Moses to appoint capable judges to share the burden.

Chapters 19–24

The Covenant at Sinai

The giving of the Ten Commandments and the law, and the covenant sealed with blood.

Chapter 19 (c. 1446 BC): Israel reaches Sinai, and God descends in fire and calls them a kingdom of priests.
Chapter 20 (c. 1446 BC): God speaks the Ten Commandments amid thunder and smoke.
Chapter 21 (c. 1446 BC): The Book of the Covenant begins with laws on servants, violence, and justice.
Chapter 22 (c. 1446 BC): Laws of restitution and compassion for the vulnerable and the sojourner.
Chapter 23 (c. 1446 BC): Laws of justice and the three annual feasts, with the promise of an angel to lead Israel.
Chapter 24 (c. 1446 BC): The covenant is sealed with blood, and Moses ascends into the glory-cloud.

Chapters 25–31

Plans for the Tabernacle

God’s detailed instructions for the sanctuary where He will dwell among His people.

Chapter 25 (c. 1446 BC): God gives the pattern for the ark, table, and lampstand, that He may dwell among them.
Chapter 26 (c. 1446 BC): Instructions for the tabernacle’s curtains, frames, and the veil.
Chapter 27 (c. 1446 BC): The bronze altar, the courtyard, and oil for the continual lamp.
Chapter 28 (c. 1446 BC): The priestly garments for Aaron, made for glory and for beauty.
Chapter 29 (c. 1446 BC): The consecration of the priests and the continual daily offering.
Chapter 30 (c. 1446 BC): The altar of incense, the atonement money, the basin, and the holy oil and incense.
Chapter 31 (c. 1446 BC): Bezalel is filled with the Spirit, the Sabbath is given as a sign, and the tablets are given.

Chapters 32–34

The Golden Calf

Israel’s idolatry, Moses’ intercession, and the renewal of the covenant.

Chapter 32 (c. 1446 BC): Israel makes the golden calf; Moses intercedes and the tablets are broken.
Chapter 33 (c. 1446 BC): Moses pleads for God’s presence and asks to see His glory.
Chapter 34 (c. 1446 BC): The covenant is renewed, God proclaims His name, and Moses’ face shines.

Chapters 35–40

The Tabernacle Built

The people obey, the work is completed, and the glory of the LORD fills the tent.

Chapter 35 (c. 1446 BC): Israel brings freewill offerings and skilled labor for the tabernacle.
Chapter 36 (c. 1446 BC): The people give more than enough, and construction of the tabernacle begins.
Chapter 37 (c. 1446 BC): Bezalel makes the ark, table, lampstand, and altar of incense.
Chapter 38 (c. 1446 BC): The bronze altar, the basin, the courtyard, and the inventory of materials.
Chapter 39 (c. 1446 BC): The priestly garments are finished, and the work is inspected and blessed.
Chapter 40 (c. 1445 BC): The tabernacle is erected, and the glory of the LORD fills it.