Exodus

This commentary makes the details of the text and the story's vitality accessible to all.

This commentary views Exodus as a cultural document, preserving the collective memories of the Israelites and relating them to the major institutions and beliefs that emerged by the end of the period of the Hebrew Bible. It is intended to help the reader follow the story line of Exodus, understand its socio-cultural context, appreciate its literary features, recognize its major themes and values, and also note its interpretive and moral problems. It explains important concepts and terms as expressed in the Hebrew original so that both people who know Hebrew and those who don't will be able to follow the discussion. Frequent 'closer look' sections examine key elements of the Ancient Near East that bear on the text's meaning, while 'Bridging the Horizons' articles connect this world with the cultural, political and religious environments of today.

Preface: a word about citations; List of charts; List of supplementary materials; Introduction; 1. Suggested reading on Exodus; 2. Commentary Part I. Israel in Egypt - Exodus 1-15:21; 3. Commentary Part II. Sinai and Covenant - Exodus 15:22-24:28; 4. Commentary Part III - Sanctuary and New Covenant - Exodus 25:1-35:40.

Underlying the deceptively simple story line the Bible's second book is a complex and rich literary production that presents some of the most fundamental concepts and institutions of Jewish and Christian tradition. This commentary makes the details of the text and the vitality of its story accessible to all readers.

Carol Meyers is currently the Mary Grace Wilson Professor in the Department of Religion at Duke University. Meyers has authored, co-authored or edited such books as Haggai and Zechariah 1-8 and Zechariah 9-14, The Excavations of the Ancient Synagogue at Gush Halav, Discovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context and Women in Scripture.