Updated October 3, 2024.

Exodus 1–40 have been exegeted, translated and commented on. All chapters are now in 2^nd draft form (this rewrite process is very important and it often adds 40% or more material to the study).

Exodus 1–20 have had the weekly Bible lesson notes integrated back into the text and they have been indexed (HTML) (PDF) (WPD), meaning these chapters are essentially complete (at some point, I may go back and add in some notes from other commentators). Although the work on these chapters is extensive, it is not complete yet. So far, this chapter-by-chapter exegesis is 9735 pages long. Each chapter is done to its own point of completeness. At bare minimum, there is a complete exegesis done from the Hebrew, 3 original translations, a number of other translations, and two sets of original commentary, integrated into the text.

Like the book of Genesis, there will be 3 approaches to the book of Exodus. (1) In the mid-1990's, I did a verse-by-verse examination of the entire book of Exodus all chapters. This brief exegesis of the entire book is only 500 pages. The Book of the Exodus (HTML) (PDF) (WPD). This is a single document.

Since then, I have begun 2 new chapter by chapter studies of the book of Exodus. The first is a reader-friendly version, sent out as weekly lessons and then posted online and updated about twice a year (HTML) (PDF) (WPD). Each grouping will be of 100 lessons; and I anticipate completing this study with 300–400 lessons total.

The third chapter-by-chapter exposition of Exodus is a word-by-word, verse-by-verse study of each chapter of the book of Exodus. The notes from both of the previous studies will be included here, as well as additional commentary (by myself and others). As I complete a chapter in the weekly Bible lessons, those notes are transferred over to the individual chapter studies.

The final verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter approach is far more extensive. This document that you have open right now links to those individual chapters, as well as their state of completion.

You may find this chart to be helpful:

I have just begin to work through this book verse by verse, exegeting each verse and every word. At some point, my intention is to complete the most thorough examination of the book of Exodus ever done.

The exegesis of these books will not put before you a bunch of brand new doctrines which are different from those already delivered by orthodox Christianity. In other words, a study of this book is not going to upend your doctrinal foundation, or get you interested in joining some cult. My only intent is to provide the most accurate examination of this book possible. What I teach should fit in well with the fundamental doctrines that we have learned and have believed (see the Doctrinal Statement).

As an aside, even though I have attended Berachah Church for over 40 years, these are not my notes re-worked from R. B. Thieme, Jr.’s excellent teaching. On some chapters, I refer back to my old notes from that class to make certain that I did not leave anything out; however, R. B. Thieme, Jr. did not cover most of the material included here (at least, not during the time that his lessons were recorded and distributed). And, as always, the bulk of this study is original, with view toward application to one’s daily life. Some contemporary events are referenced as illustrations. There are a great many things in these chapters that Bob did not cover. However, the theology is essentially the same. It is conservative, Protestant, orthodox and evangelical; and I hold to the verbal-plenary view of inspiration of the Holy Scriptures.

Starting with Exodus 11–14 and 25 forward, I am concentrating on making these chapter studies more and more self-contained; meaning, some of the more complex theological terms will be found fully defined, and double-linked, so that you can go back and forth between the definition and the first occurrence of the theological term.

So far, I have begun a word-by-word examination of each chapter. Most of these chapters are not completed yet. Nevertheless, these incomplete chapter studies are still quite extensive, each chapter being exegeted word-by-word. Even incomplete, each chapter studies will be anywhere from 100–400 pages in length. Completeness and chapter links.

Access by Document Type

HTML links to Exodus Chapters

The work is done in WordPerfect and then exported to an HTML document.

PDF links to Exodus Chapters

The work was originally done in WordPerfect and then saved in a PDF format (which preserves to original formatting and look). Unfortunately, this is not the best document if you want to copy and paste from it.

A possible problem with the previous pdf files is, they are quite large and they may not display on computers with limited memory (a typical chapter will be 200–400 pages long). If that is the case, then you should be able to right-click the link, choose save as, and put the file on your hard drive and open it there using Adobe Acrobat Reader. That will give you a complete view of the graphics and the Hebrew characters.

For those who read Hebrew, the following is important. If you don’t, then no need to read this paragraph. Since WordPerfect now properly prints out Hebrew words (reading from right to left), HTML files also properly display the Hebrew characters, but the PDF files read left to right (which is backward in the Hebrew). In older documents, I placed each letter where it belonged by typesetting, and WP and PDF would display properly (but HTML would not). For most people, this does not mean anything, but I did have one person who noticed the problem in the PDF documents.

I do all of my original work in WordPerfect. I find this to be both a more powerful word processing program than Word as well as more intuitive. I have a keyboard which allows me to type in Greek, one which allows me to type in Hebrew, and a third keyboard for English. This is necessary for the kind of work that I do; and Word is not designed to have more than one keyboard.

Some of the following documents have been zipped and will need to be unzipped after downloading. Once unzipped, the documents will open up on your computer, either into WordPerfect or into Word (although the formatting might be a little funky in Word).

WordPerfect links to Exodus Chapters (some of these are all zipped files in WPD format).

If you go to the online folder of these documents (http://kukis.org/Exodus/) and see that the wpd file is newer than the zip file, then you may download that. However, for some reason, it downloads with an html extension (*.htm); then you should change it. Once you have downloaded that file, then change it to a WordPerfect file extension (*.wpd). I cannot explain why my website is doing that. I seem to be able to upload WP documents, but, for whatever reason, this website provider does not appear to want to recognize WPD as a legitimate format.

Now and again, I have seen that I have made some mistakes in spelling as well as in the morphology (I took the information from John Owens, but changed it whenever there was a mistake in his work). If you discover mistakes, then I would want to know what they are so that I could change them and update the documents. I enjoy studying the Word of God, but I so hate to proofread.

The original wpd format (WordPerfect document) is also available online. Just go to http://kukis.org/Exodus/, right click, and choose save as. These documents will open in WordPerfect and sometimes in Word (although that is a dicey proposition). Each document (chapter) is typically complete at around 100–400 pages each.

The less complete chapters, without the additional translations and commentary, these chapters are generally between 70 and 300 pages each.

Brief Chapter Synopses

A complete chapter-by-chapter study of Exodus has not yet been started. The basic word-by-word exegesis of the Hebrew has been started. It may be a few years before I get this far. Sometimes, the number of pages may be off in this section. For a more accurate number of pages, see the next section.

Exodus 1 serves as a connection between the books of Genesis and Exodus, as approximately 400 years has passed between the events recorded at the end of Genesis and the beginning of Exodus.

A pharaoh arises who does not know Joseph, and the Egyptians, worried about the large Hebrew population, make the Hebrews their slaves. However, the Hebrew population still grows, even to the point where the Pharaoh calls for the midwives to kill the male infants born to Hebrew couples. When they refuse to cooperate, Pharaoh calls for all sons of the Hebrews to be thrown into the Nile and drown.

A husband and wife from the tribe of Levi have a son, and, when she can no longer conceal him, he is placed into a small container in the Nile River so that he floats to an area frequented by Pharaoh’s daughter. She sees the infant and is moved and he is taken out of the water, and she cares for him, naming him Moses.

Moses grows up in the palace of the Pharaoh. At some point, he learns that he is originally a Hebrew, so he goes out among the Hebrew slaves, out of curiosity. When he sees a taskmaster beating a Hebrew slave, he kills the taskmaster. When this becomes known, Moses flees Egypt.

Moses ends up in Midian, where he meets 7 young women giving water to their flock at a well. He stands up for them against some shepherds who drive them away. The father of the young women asks for Moses to be brought to his home to feed him. Moses marries one of his daughters and they have a son.

When walking his flock along the edge of the desert-wilderness, Moses comes upon a burning bush, and when he approaches it to get a better look, he finds that it is a manifestation of God.

God tells Moses that He is aware of the sufferings of the sons of Israel and that He will bring them to the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Then God tells Moses that he will be God’s point man.

Exodus 4 is simply a continuation of Ex. 3. Moses is still out in the desert speaking to God. When God tells Moses what He wants him to do, Moses objects, eloquently arguing that he is too inarticulate to speak before Pharaoh and bring him God’s message. God tells Moses that his brother is able to talk, so he will be the spokesman for Moses, who is the spokesman for God; and, oh by the way, Aaron is on his way right now to meet Moses.

Moses and Aaron meet, then go to the elders of the sons of Israel and convince them that God knows of their difficulties and that He has visited the sons of Israel.

Moses and Aaron go before Pharaoh and call for a time of worship for the sons of Israel. Pharaoh refuses and increases the work requirements of the Hebrew slaves. The Hebrew foremen complain to Moses and Aaron and Moses takes their complaint to God.

About half of Exodus 6 is a conversation between God and Moses, where God tells Moses that He will fulfill the covenants which He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the middle of this chapter, there is a genealogy (mostly, it is Levi’s line, which leads to Moses and Aaron). Then we pick up at the end of the chapter where Moses voices the concern that, Pharaoh will not listen to him because he is not a good public speaker.

Exodus 6 is, unfortunately, a chopped up chapter which begins and ends incorrectly. God and Moses are speaking, and this begins in Ex. 5:22 and continues to 6:12, until a genealogy is inserted (a genealogy which primarily focuses on the line of Levi, which leads to Moses and Aaron). This conversation between God and Moses is picked up at the end of Ex. 6, where Moses asks, “How will Pharaoh listen to me if I am a poor communicator?” God then answers Moses question in Ex. 7:1–5. Properly, Exodus 6 should have begun in Ex. 5:22 and ended with Ex. 7:7.

God agrees that Aaron will act as Moses’s mouthpiece and He tells them what to expect when interacting with Pharaoh. They will be sent twice before Pharaoh: (1) to show the power of Moses’ staff (now carried by Aaron); and then (2) to curse the land of Egypt (using the staff) by turning all of their standing water into blood (or something which appears to be blood).

Exodus 8 is the narrative of 3 plagues (plagues 2–4): (2) the plague of the frogs; (3) the plague of the gnats; and (4) the plague of the swarming insects (often called, the plague of the flies).

Exodus 9 is the narrative of 3 plagues (plagues 5–7): (5) the plague of diseased livestock; (6) the plague of boils; and (7) the plague of the great hail.

Exodus 10 is the narrative of 2 plagues (plagues 8–9): (8) the plague of the locusts and (9) the plague of thick darkness.

Exodus 11 warns of the final plague, the death of the firstborn.

Exodus 12 speaks about the first celebration of the Passover and describes some traditions for future celebrations once Israel enters into their land. The final judgment is brought down upon Egypt and the Israelites leave Egypt. This is possible the central chapter of Exodus (along with Exodus 20).

God begins to describe the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Passover, as they were to be celebrated in the future.

Pharaoh of Egypt attacks Israel one more time, and is destroyed by God. This attack by Pharaoh is Israel’s first test after leaving Egypt.

Moses recounts God’s destruction of Egypt at the Sea of Reeds.

The people of Israel encounter their second test, the test of bitter waters.

The people complain about having no meat or bread to eat and are angry that Moses has brought them all into the desert to starve. God provides manna and quail for them. God also begins to institute the concept of the Sabbath (in this chapter, it is related specifically to the collection of manna).

There is a time problem at the very end of this chapter, and it is quite easy to fix. This time fix is explained in detail, and it eliminates several possible problems at the end of this chapter (a person who does not understand the time frame of the end of this chapter will think that there are contradictions within the book of Exodus).

The people are tested with no-water. They continue to complain and threaten Moses. They face a sudden threat by Amalek and Israel defeats Amalek. God requires Moses to record these historical events. This is the first time we have come across such a requirement being put to Moses.

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, hears all that has been occurring; so he bring Moses’ wife and children to him. While getting together, Jethro observes the amount of work that Moses is doing and suggests that he delegate his authority.

Israel arrives at Mount Sinai. God excludes Israel from coming on Mount Sinai. God requires the people of Israel to ceremonially cleanse themselves.

God speaks the Ten Commandments aloud to all the people of Israel. The people are frightened and ask Moses to stand between them and God. Moses then goes into the thick cloud where God is, on Mount Sinai, and God speaks to Moses, giving him a variety of laws, regulations, ceremonies and promises (Exodus 20b–23). God gives Moses specific instructions on altars which may be used to worship Him.

God continues giving a series of laws to Moses. There are regulations about owning slaves and laws which deal with various forms of violence. A general principle of justice is given (an eye for an eye,...). The chapter ends with a series of animal control and liability laws.

God delivers a set of property laws to Moses, which include specifics regarding responsibilities. The second half of this chapter deals with a variety of topics: enforced marriage when seduction occurs, witchcraft, bestiality, treatment of immigrants, treatment of the poor, money lending, respect for authority, redemption of the firstborn, and one dietary restriction.

God continues speaking to Moses, focusing first on laws of justice—not giving a false witness, not favoring or disfavoring someone due to their economic status. We are even to treat our enemies in grace, looking out for their possessions in fact. Anyone involved in a matter of justice is not to be swayed by a bribe; no one is to take advantage of a foreigner. God also spoke of the Sabbath year, the Sabbath day and He institutes 3 annual feasts of gathering that Israel is to observe.

This chapter closes out with God promising to send His Angel to guide Israel into their new land and that Israel was to defeat those currently living in that land.

Moses has been on Mount Sinai for perhaps a day or two, and he has come down with additional laws and guidance for Israel. The people, in this chapter, enthusiastically ratify the words of God. There is a celebration; and many animals are sacrificed. Moses goes back up Mount Zion, but he take 70 elders and some others with him. In this chapter, we see the manifestation of God from at least two perspectives: those sons of Israel who are at the foot of the mountain; and Moses and the elders who are with him. As a cloud envelops the mountain, Moses goes further up the mountain.

This chapter is about plans for building the Tabernacle. There are a few passages which I need to go back to and work through them—they are very hard to understand.

This chapter was much easier to understand and translate than previous ones. Primarily, this is God telling Moses exactly how he is to build the brazen altar and the courtyard for the Tabernacle.

The translation for this chapter was also much easier than some of the previous ones. Exodus 28 concerns itself with the clothing worn by the priests.

At the end of this chapter, Moses gathers the Levites to them, and tells them to take their swords and wade through the people of Israel and kill many of them, because they are ungovernable. We certainly live during a time in the United States when many of the people (and a considerable number of politicians) are ungovernable. What should be the believer’s course of action, if we take what Moses did here into consideration?

What is most important about Exodus 34 is what is not found in this chapter. God promised to let Moses see Him, under some specific conditions (Exodus 33:19–23); and Moses goes up on Mount Sinai in this chapter. Given God’s description of what would happen (Moses being tucked away into the cleft of some rocks), Moses likely did see God in Exodus 34, and yet, this is not recorded exactly as God promised (Exodus 34:5–8 does not appear to be the experience which God promised). Why? Although I believe what is described in Exodus 34 fulfills God’s promise to Moses, why didn’t Moses record his experience to clearly reflect those things that God promised? One would expect an experience like this to be more than 3 or 4 verses. There is actually an explanation for this.

God reestablishes a covenant with Israel through Moses. This leads me to ask (and answer) the question, "Is God disorganized?" There are a number of places in the Torah where the Sabbath is discussed. Why didn't God put all the discussion of the Sabbath in one place? Would that not be more organized? There is a lot of information and additional topics packed into Exodus 34.

In this chapter, there seems to be a very abbreviated version of the laws which God has already delivered to Moses (and to the people of Israel). Although speculating on who edited these laws down—God or Moses—is interesting; what is more important here is the question, is God disorganized? God does not, for instance, devote one chapter of the Bible to the Sabbath; He talks about it with the commandments; He speaks about it in this chapter; and in quite a number of other places. Isn’t that disorganized. If it is, then how do we explain that?

There is another important topic in this chapter—organizing a doctrinal church if there is not one where you live. It might be worth considering what to do, as believers grow in local churches; they do not grow, for the most part, by listening to various sermons or by reading commentaries (mine included). Don’t get me wrong—I am not trying to talk you out of reading my commentaries, but most believers ought to be a part of a local church. Furthermore, it needs to be a doctrinal church (one which respects the Word of God and teaches the Bible accurately).

In this chapter, we considered the concept of skill sets required for spiritual gifts; and discussed where those skills came from. There was also a great deal of discussion in this chapter about teamwork in the Christian life.

——————————

Chapter Summaries and Progress of Chapters

As is nearly always the case, both the list of Doctrinal Terms (HTML) (PDF) (WPD) and the list of Old Testament topics which are covered (HTML) (PDF) (WPD) are both updated and posted with each new chapter of Exodus.

(More links below)

                                                     ➘ 

Other Exodus References:

William Wenstrom appears to have an excellent chapter by chapter study of Exodus in a pdf format.

Jeremiah Thomas appears to have an excellent chapter-by-chapter study of Exodus in rtf text format (it will download to your computer and open up in Word or a similar program).

Dr. Robert D. Luginbill presents an in-depth study of Exodus 14 and the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart (available in PDF, HTML, or Word format).

Syndein has a so-so chapter-by-chapter study of Exodus, based in part on his notes from R. B. Thieme, Jr. (Bob did not cover the entire book, insofar as I know.)