The Bible Book

74

STRETCH OUT

YOUR HAND

OVER THE SEA

TO DIVIDE

THE WATER

EXODUS 14:16, THE EXODUS

C

entral to Judaism, the

Exodus (from a Greek word

meaning “exit”) narrative

is the account of the founding of

the nation of Israel. The tale also

features one of the most famous

episodes in the Old Testament—

Moses parting the Red Sea.

Following a barrage of plagues

sent by God, Pharaoh summons

Moses and Aaron and tells them

that their people can leave. The

Israelites—more than 600,000

of them—hastily gather their

belongings and make their way out

of Egypt and into the wilderness.

They are at last free of bondage,

but their troubles are not over.

IN BRIEF

PA S SAGE

Exodus 14 –17

THEME

Divine deliverance

SETTING

14th–13th century bce

Northeastern Egypt.

KEY FIGURES

Moses G od’s appointed leader

of the Israelites, who follows

God’s instructions to lead

them out of bondage.

Aaron Moses’s brother, who

assists him in guiding the

Israelites out of Egypt.

Miriam Sister to Moses and

Aaron, later a prophetess.

Pharaoh Ruler of the

Egyptians, who chases after

the Israelites, despite having

released them from slavery

after the plagues of Egypt.

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