The Book of Exodus, 1 in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE
LITERATURE
(NOTE: For the signs J (Jahwist), E (Elohist), P or Priestly
Code (Priest Codex), R (Redactor) compare the article on
GENESIS.)
I. In General.
1. Name:
The second book of the Pentateuch bears in the Septuagint
the name of Exodos, in the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible,
390-405 A.D.) accordingly Exodus, on the basis of the chief
contents of the first half, dealing with the departure of
the children of Israel out of Egypt. The Jews named the book
after the first words: we-'elleh shemoth ("and these are the
names"), or sometimes after the first noun shemoth ("names")
a designation already known to Origen in the form of
Oualesmoth.
2. Contents in General:
In seven parts, after the Introduction (Ex 1:1-7), which
furnishes the connection of the contents with Genesis, the
book treats of (1) the sufferings of Israel in Egypt, for
which mere human help is insufficient (Ex 1:8 through 7:7),
while Divine help through human mediatorship is promised;
(2) the power of Yahweh, which, after a preparatory miracle,
is glorified through the ten plagues inflicted on Pharaoh
and which thus forces the exodus (Ex 7:8 through 13:16); (3)
the love of Yahweh for Israel, which exhibits itself in a
most brilliant manner, in the guidance of the Israelites to
Mt. Sinai, even when the people murmur (Ex 13:17 through
18:27); (4) making the Covenant at Mt. Sinai together with
the revelation of the Ten Words (Ex 20:1 ff) and of the
legal ordinances (Ex 21:1 ff) as the condition of making the
Covenant (Ex 19:1 through 24:18); (5) the directions for the
building of the Tabernacle, in which Yahweh is to dwell in
the midst of His people (Ex 24:18 through 31:18); (6) the
renewal of the Covenant on the basis of new demands after
Israel's great apostasy in the worship of the Golden Calf,
which seemed for the time being to make doubtful the
realization of the promises mentioned in (5) above...
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