The book of Exodus is seen as, the “Second Book of Moses”, as well as the second book in the Pentateuch . The Pentateuch is the first five books of the Old Testament, and is also known as the Torah, or “Law” in Hebrew, which is just one section that makes up the whole Hebrew Bible or Tanak. The Torah consists of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, and is the beginning sections of the Bible. The other two sections are known as Nevi’im, “Prophets”, and Ketuvim, “Writings”. Upon analysis of the book of Exodus, it is expressively important to consider the historical aspects, literary issues, and theological themes that make up such a book.
Historically, as it says in the Bible, Exodus begins from where it left off with Genius and continues
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As the confrontation grew over the future of Israel, and the Pharaoh’s anger and dissatisfaction becomes more apparent, God’s frustration was seen. Moses spoke to the Pharaoh, but with no success God began to send plagues like Moses had warned. The Pharaoh did not budge, but instead his heart hardened as a type of punishment by God for the Pharaoh not heeding God’s warnings . Since the Pharaoh did not listen to God, he would have to suffer through all the plagues by his own demise. As a result, ten plagues were sanctioned on Egypt due to the Pharaoh’s disobedience to God, which resulted in the release of the Hebrews. The Pharaoh released the Hebrews from bondage, and Moses began to lead the people to the Promise Land, sanctioned by God with the ancestors. The journey to freedom began in Exodus 12:37-39, but Israel wasn’t free yet. The Pharaoh began to chase after the Hebrews, not because of willfulness, but as the act of YHWH’s hardening of his heart . YHWH has purposely set this up for the reason, as said by YHWH, “I will get glory over Pharaoh!” (Ex. 14:1-4) . The Egyptians, through the departing of the Red Sea for the Hebrews with the closing on top of them, will see YHWH’s glory. The outcome of this power struggle will put the Pharaoh down, and the people shall come to know “I am Yahweh.” (Ex. 14:1-4) signifying that YHWH is king
In the book “The Art of Biblical Narrative” by Robert Alter, there is one chapter (Chapter 3) titled “Biblical Type-Scenes and the Uses of Convention” (Alter 47). Alter describes several different stories (but similar in some ways) in the Old Testament that can be difficult to interpret in today’s culture. Alter describes how reading any book (more specifically the Bible), requires use of conventions, which he describes as “… an elaborate set of tacit agreements between artist and audience about the ordering of the art work is at all times the enabling context in which the complex communication of art occurs” (Alter 47). In other words, an agreement of how the writing is done; it can be pretty complex as well. He states that there are stories in the Bible that have the same stories of narrative, but there are different characters, they often are told several times in the Bible. Alter uses several of examples, like how patriarch is driven by famine; or where someone is found and is invited to eat with them, or a betrothal (engagement) near a well/body
In this essay, I will be talking about the plagues God sent against the Egyptian for the Hebrew to be release from their hands. There was not a struggle between God and the Egyptian power, but of God and the Egyptian Gods to show who the true God was. In Exodus 9:13-14, Yahweh told Moses to tell the Pharaoh of Egypt, “Yahweh, God of the Hebrews, says this: Let my people go and worship me. For this time, I am going to inflict all my plagues on you, on your officials and your subjects, so that you will know there is no one like me in the whole world. ‘The ten plagues made Yahweh evident among the Israelites and also to the stubborn Pharaoh and his Egyptian subjects. The plagues also demonstrated Yahweh powered and how much trouble he went through to free them.
In Exodus chapter 3, Moses is instructed by God to bring his people out of Egypt and be a key figure in God’s redemptive plan. This would require Moses to approach Pharaoh and demand the release of his people (Ex.6:10-11). God hardened the Pharaohs heart, this may not seem logical but it gave opportunity for God to show is power and glory. (Ex.10:1-2) As a result, God sent ten terrible plagues attacking Egyptian deities, economics and agriculture.
Exodus derives from the Septuagint title Exodos, which is define as “road out” (Finlay, Herst). A road out of what, one may ask? The story of the Exodus appears in the Old Testament, and makes up the second book of the Pentateuch. The narration of the Exodus begins with the Jews arriving in Egypt with Jacob. After 17 years in Egypt, Jacob had passed away and things quickly began to change for his followers.
At first, Israel's relationship with the Egyptians does not seem to be a blessing; however, The Plagues result in the Egyptians ultimately perceiving Yahweh as God. God, so that the "Egyptians shall know that I am Lord" (Exodus 7:3,5), puts the Egyptians through a gauntlet, comprised of some of the worst conceivable ills that can befall man. When God states that He will bring down a hail storm, Pharaoh's courtiers, "…who feared the Lord's word brought their slaves and livestock indoors to safety" (9:20). This quotation signals a change in faith: previously, Pharoah's courtiers did not pay attention to Moses' premonitions. Gradually though, the courtiers begin to take notice of Yahweh's power. Similarly, God vows to unleash locusts all over the land. Pharaoh's courtiers become increasingly involved with Pharoah's decisions and favor allowing the Israelites to leave: ...
Following the creation story of the book of Genesis is the book of Exodus. In Genesis, God promised Abraham a “great nation from which all nations of the earth will be blessed (Gen 12:1-3)” and in Exodus God completes this promise through the creation of the holy nation, Israel. Exodus tells the story of the God who rescued his people out of Egypt because of the promise he had made to Abraham. God calls to Moses to complete his promise. God’s call to Moses is not only important because he liberates the Israelites but also because God reveals His name(s) along with His true Nature. God calls upon Moses and tells him that He’s back to help the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and that Moses is to lead them. God then gives him full instructions on what to tell the Pharaoh and, more importantly, the Israelites, who are promised, land “flowing with milk and honey”.
The Theme of Growth in Exodus Exodus, by Leon Uris, is a novel of genuine Affirmation. One of the most prevalent of the affirmative themes is the idea of growth. Many of the characters learn a lot about themselves, and change tremendously in a positive way. Earlier in their lives, these characters decided to live their life one way, but throughout the book they change, and join each other to unite. Fighting for their common religion and fundamental rights brought them together in a way that is barely imaginable.
The book of Exodus is the second book of the Pentateuch, or Weelleh Shemoth according to the Hebrew Bible. The books main theme is the removal of Hebrew people from Egypt. The book is meant to be a continuation of Genesis. Moses is believed to be the author of this book. During the period of Exodus Israel had been in Egypt for about 215 years. The book begins with the birth of Moses. The book then goes on to talk about the life of Moses and the things that he did throughout his life. The book also explains how the Hebrews were enslaved and then let free. The book is divided into five sections. The first sections deals with the early life and training of Moses. The second section explains the ten plagues. The third section explains the journey to Mt. Sinai. The fourth section explains the land of Israel. The last section explains the construction of the tabernacle.
The Hebrew Bible has no Old or New Testament. It consists of three books: the Torah, the Prophets and the Writings. The written Torah is also know as the First Five Books of Moses, or the Pentateuch, and is the word of God as revealed to Moses on Mt Sinai. In the life of a Jew the Torah functions as an instrument of salvation, as it provides the laws and instructions for daily life (Pelikan 349). There are 613 Commandments (mitzvoh) found within it. These commandments state how Jews should live, and the requirement they obey each of them to keep from sinning (Barnes 92).
In my opinion, it would be best to follow the exodus out of Egypt. Although there are several reasons to go, I chose to write about three main reasons. The three I chose were that Moses was caring, God trusted Moses with power, and if I were to stay, I would have to deal with the plagues.
The army of Pharaoh is near, the people of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried and say Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, remember his is still in the position of peace here. The salvation of the LORD, is always available for us if we will believe.
Elaborated on throughout the course of the Hebrew Bible, the literary pattern that appears to be both present and prevalent is the idea of “Exile and Restoration.” This first comes to achieve predominance early on in Genesis; where Adam and Eve – having been deceived by the Serpent into partaking of the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, against God’s express wishes – are soon discovered, cursed by God himself, and are henceforth banished from the Garden of Eden indefinitely; exiting to the East, and later returning from the West. Further circumstances where this duality becomes more clear follow Abraham’s original Covenant with God, leading onto the story of Moses – who kills an Egyptian quarreling with a Hebrew, and, in turn, flees to avoid the Pharaoh’s wrath; only to come into contact with God and be granted his next holy mission, recounted in the Book of Exodus – in which Moses liberates
In order to comprehend the level of significance the Bible represents, one must systematically break down the structure of the Bible. Religious writings of both Judaism and Christianity compose the Bible and are dependant on the religious traditions of a specific denomination. In the context of Judaism, Tanakh is the Hebrew name of the Bible composed by the three parts of the Hebrew Bible: the Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim. The Torah includes the “Five Books” of Moses which establishes God’s covenant with the Jews. The Nevi’im discusses the division of the two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, and acknowledges different prophets. The Ketuvim is composed of poetry, writings, and the stories of Jewish prophets. The books written after the Hebrew Bible, referred to as The New Testament by Christians, contain the accounts of Jesus and his disciples. The New Testament plays a central role in Christianity just as the Hebrew Bible, or commonly referred to as the Old Testament, provides the foundation for Judaism.
God encounters an enemy once who claims he will “pursue and overtake” his land, and in response god immerses his foe in the “mighty” waters by blowing his wind (Exodus 15:9-10; NRSV). His ability to “swallow,” “sink” and “melt” his enemies - chiefs, leaders, and inhabitants - depicts his great control over every aspect of Earth. He controls all of the natural forces in the world to bring both pleasure and suffering. Through this portrayal of disaster, a fear tactic is employed in order to gain support from those that oppose God. They see that their lives will be filled with “terror and dread” when they could feel a “steadfast love” from God that will guide them to salvation (Exodus 15:13,16; NRSV). God’s followers receive an unconditional and immeasurable love from him. As both the “horse and rider [are] thrown into the sea,” (Exodus 15:1, NRSV) God’s followers must maintain great faith and trust that he will not let them down. The Lord goes to great lengths to fend for those who maintain faith in him - turning his foes into stone so that his followers can pass through to this “abode” on a mountain that he constructs. This “sanctuary” is the holy city of Jerusalem, and God’s mission is to give his patrons a place of eternal salvation - a place where he will “reign forever and ever” (Exodus 15:17-18; NRSV) and protect his supporters. By building this city with his own two
The following paper examines a close reading of the figure of Moses in Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy with respect to the issue of why he is barred from entering the Promised Land of Canaan as well as in the Quran. Moreover, after considering the stories and character of Moses in these respective texts, I will then analyze the two accounts in order to examine their similarities and differences.