© David Staume 2007

Exodus is set in Egypt. The author of the first five books of the Old Testament is often attributed to Moses in annotated Bibles, but this is not true. Multiple authors and editors are likely. The description of Moses' death (see Deuteronomy) makes two authors necessary at least. Doubt also arises from the third-person perspective, different accounts of particular events – indicating different source documents, and close parallels with Egyptian and later, Babylonian mythology.

1-2. The Israelites prosper. This concerns the Egyptians, who forced them into slavery and order that every Hebrew boy should be killed. Moses' mother hides him in a basket among the reeds of the Nile.

3-4. Moses is tending a flock when God speaks to him from behind a burning bush. God commands Moses to go to Egypt and release the Israelites from slavery. To convince Moses who he is God turns Moses' staff into a snake and back again, then turns Moses' hand leprous then back to normal. In other superstitious cultures this phenomena would be seen as the work of a mischievous leprechaun or similar entity, and not taken seriously. Heat, dehydration, and the loneliness of goat herding, have strange effects.

5-12. Moses, accompanied by his brother Aaron, go to Egypt and say to the Pharaoh 'Let my people go'. In response, Pharaoh increases the workload of the Israelites. God turns the water of the Nile into blood, brings a plague of frogs on Egypt, then a plague of gnats, a plague of flies, and a plague that kills all Egypt's livestock, but still Pharaoh refuses to free the Israelites. Strangely God causes this hard-heartedness in the Pharaoh. God continues with a plague of boils, hail, locusts, and darkness. God tells the Israelites to slaughter lambs at twilight, put blood on their doorframes, and prepare and eat the meat in a particular way. God then passes over the Israelites and kills every Egyptian first born. At last, Pharaoh releases the Israelites. God tells Moses to celebrate this event (Passover) and gives regulations on circumcision, and preparing and eating food. Silliness on many levels. An example of (mostly) natural phenomena reshaped in the course of countless retellings to suit the religious beliefs of the audience.

13-15. God commands that the Israelites devote the life of every first-born male to him to commemorate their escape from Egypt. Pharaoh sends an army to pursue the Israelites. God, through Moses, splits the Red Sea to enable the Israelites to escape on dry land with walls of water on either side. The Egyptians pursue them, again apparently caused by God. God, through Moses, returns the sea and the Egyptians drown. The absurdity of this is that God is said to orchestrate the whole thing, from plagues and the Pharaoh's resistance, to Pharaoh's pursuit, and drowning.

16-20. The Israelites complain to Moses that they were better off in Egypt. God rains down quail and bread on their camp. They call the bread 'manna'. God says he will appear on Mt Sinai, but anyone who gets too close will be put to death. Mt Sinai spews smoke (erupts). Only Moses and Aaron are allowed to go up. They return with the Ten Commandments: Have no other Gods; Make no idols; Don't misuse God's name; Keep the Sabbath holy; Honour father and mother; Do not murder; Do not commit adultery; Do not steal; Do not lie; Do not covet neighbour's property. Many worthwhile guidelines. Pity about the histrionics designed to manufacture obedience and fear.

21-31. God gives rules on keeping servants, capitol punishment (which is the punishment for murder – unless it's the murder of your slave, kidnapping, cursing your parents, being a sorceress, having sex with animals, and sacrificing to any other God). Rules on personal injury compensation, the concept of an 'eye for an eye', and punishment for theft and other property crimes. Rules for social responsibility, justice, observing the Sabbath, and observing festivals. Moses gives instructions for making religious objects and garments, and giving money to priests. A mixture of good sense, nonsense, and some nice perks for the priestly class.

32-40. The Israelites forget commandment two, make a gold statue of a calf and make sacrifices to it. God wants to wipe them off the face of the earth but Moses talks Him out of it. Instead, Moses destroys the golden calf and invites the Levites to come and kill the Israelites. Three thousand die on Moses' instructions. For good measure God visits a plague on the survivors. Moses disappears to talk with God and returns with more rules and instructions that cement a wealthy priestly class, with ornate buildings, furniture, and garments. Moses is a murderous zealot. God's primary characteristics are anger, jealousy, and blood-lust.

Exodus is fanatical fantasy and loose strands of folklore, mixed in with some sensible secular rules for social order and justice.

Note: God is refered to as 'He' with a capital 'H' only to differentiate between when God is supposed to be speaking through His 'medium', and when that person is supposedly speaking for themselves.

Back to Genesis. Forward to Leviticus.