1. AUTHOR. — Moses, according to the commonly received view. Most of the con tents would be known by him through his personal knowledge.

2. DATE. — About the time of completing the tabernacle; first month of the second year after the Exodus.

3. HISTORICAL OCCASION. — While the Israelites were at Sinai, after the covenant had been made and the tabernacle constructed.

4. LEADING TOPIC. — The Israelites delivered from Egypt, brought into covenant relation with Jehovah and provided with a place of worship.

5. CHIEF PURPOSE. — To show how the Israelites were taken to be God's people; that for this purpose they were delivered from Egypt, and a covenant made with them. The book also shows how a place was pro vided in connection with which they might meet Jehovah, to whom they were brought into such close relations.

6. GENERAL ANALYSIS.

Part I. From Egypt to Sinai, Ch. 1-18.

(a) Israel persecuted, and Moses sent for deliverance, Ch. 1-4.

(b) Egyptians punished, and Israel re leased, Ch. 5-12.

(c) The journey to Sinai, Ch. 13–18.

Part II. Taken to be God's people, Ch. 19-40.

(a) The covenant ratified, Ch. 19-24.

(b) Directions for the tabernacle and priests, Ch. 25-31.

(c) Sin of Aaron and the people, Ch. 32-33.

(d) Making the tabernacle and garments, Ch. 34-39.

(e) The tabernacle set up, Ch. 40.

7. POINTS OF ESPECIAL INTEREST. — Oppression by Egypt; the ten plagues; crossing the Red Sea; the covenant at Sinai; construction of the tabernacle.

8. RELATION TO OTHER O. T. BOOKS. — Exodus is closely related to Genesis in showing how the Theocracy was established, and how Israel was led out of Egypt; to the rest of the Pentateuch, which gives the laws that were to govern the redeemed people and their journey to the land promised; to the subsequent historical books, which show how God dealt with the liberated people. Its record of Israel's redemption explains the interest that God showed in them afterward. The covenant described was the ground of Israel's obligation ever after to serve God. The sanctuary set up was to be the authorized place for worshiping God. The priesthood chosen was to be the recognized authority in their sacrificing. Exodus is the starting point of Israel's history.

9. MESSIANIC IDEAS. — There are no predictions in Exodus of the Messiah as a person, but the character and work of Christ are foreshadowed in the tabernacle and the priesthood. The redemption from Egypt may be regarded as a type of redemption from sin.

10. TOPICS FOR SPECIAL STUDY. — The Egyptians, their history, religion, and social condition; the geography of the region of Sinai; forms of temples among other peoples.