Exodus

Exodus

Hebrew terms reframed with covenantal clarity

Names preserved in their original intent

The tone of divine justice, mercy, and mission restored

Egyptian oppression, Hebrew identity, and divine intervention made vivid without distortion

———

Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob,

each man with his household:

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah,

Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin,

Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

All the persons from the loins of Jacob were seventy.

But Joseph was already in Egypt.

Joseph died, and all his brothers, and that generation.

Yet the children of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly.

They multiplied and became strong—

and the land was filled with them.

But a new king arose over Egypt,

who did not remember Joseph.

He said to his people:

“Behold, the people of the children of Israel are too many and too strong for us.

Come, let us deal shrewdly with them—lest they multiply,

and if war arises, they join our enemies.”

So they set taskmasters over them

to oppress them with forced labor.

They built store cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses.

But the more they were oppressed,

the more they multiplied—

and the Egyptians were filled with dread.

They made their lives bitter with hard service:

in brick and mortar,

in the fields—

all their work was cruel bondage.

Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives,

whose names were Shiphrah and Puah:

“When you see the Hebrew women on the birthstool,

if it is a son, kill him.

But if a daughter, let her live.”

But the midwives feared God

and did not do as the king commanded.

When confronted, they said:

“The Hebrew women are strong.

They give birth before we arrive.”

So God dealt well with the midwives.

And the people multiplied greatly.

And because the midwives feared God,

He gave them households of their own.

Then Pharaoh commanded all his people:

“Every son born you shall throw into the river,

but every daughter you shall let live.”

———

A man from the house of Levi took a daughter of Levi.

She conceived and bore a son.

Seeing that he was radiant,

she hid him for three months.

When she could hide him no longer,

she made a basket of reeds

and placed it among the reeds at the river’s edge.

His sister stood at a distance

to see what would be done.

Then the daughter of Pharaoh came to bathe,

and saw the basket.

She opened it and saw the child—

and he was weeping.

She had compassion and said,

“This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

His sister approached and said:

“Shall I call a nurse from the Hebrews for you?”

She said, “Go.”

So the girl called the child’s own mother.

Pharaoh’s daughter said:

“Take this child and nurse him for me,

and I will give your wages.”

When the child grew,

he was brought to Pharaoh’s daughter.

She named him Mosheh (Moses), saying:

“Because I drew him out of the water.”

The Flight from Egypt

When Moses had grown,

he went out and saw the burdens of his people.

He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew—one of his kin.

He struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

The next day, two Hebrews were fighting.

He said to the one in the wrong,

“Why do you strike your brother?”

He replied:

“Who made you ruler or judge over us?

Will you kill me as you killed the Egyptian?”

Moses was afraid.

When Pharaoh heard, he sought to kill him.

But Moses fled to Midian

and sat by a well.

The Marriage in Midian

Seven daughters of the priest of Midian came to draw water.

But shepherds drove them away.

Moses stood and rescued them.

He watered their flock.

Their father, Reuel (also called Jethro), said:

“Where is he? Bring him to eat with us.”

Moses agreed to dwell with the man,

and married his daughter Zipporah.

She bore a son, and he named him Gershom, saying:

“I have been a sojourner in a strange land.”

God Hears the Cry

In those many days, the king of Egypt died.

But the people of Israel groaned under bondage.

They cried out—

and their cry rose to God.

God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God saw.

God knew.

———

Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro,

when he came to the mountain of God—Horeb.

The messenger of YHWH appeared to him

in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush.

He looked—

and the bush was burning,

yet it was not consumed.

He said,

“I must turn aside and see this great sight.”

God called to him from the bush:

“Moses! Moses!”

He said, “Here I am.”

“Do not come closer.

Remove your sandals—

for the place where you stand is holy ground.”

“I am the God of your father—

the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Moses hid his face—afraid to look.

The Call

The Lord said:

“I have surely seen the oppression of My people in Egypt.

I have heard their cry.

I know their sorrows.

I have come down to deliver them.”

“Come now, I will send you to Pharaoh,

that you may bring My people out.”

But Moses said,

“Who am I to go?”

God said:

“I will be with you.

And this shall be the sign:

when you have brought them out,

you shall worship Me on this mountain.”

The Name

Moses asked,

“When they ask, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say?”

God said:

“Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh — I AM THAT I AM.”

“Say to the people of Israel:

‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

“This is My Name forever,

and My remembrance for all generations.”

———

Moses said,

“But they will not believe me.”

God said:

“What is in your hand?”

“A staff.”

“Throw it down.”

It became a serpent—

and Moses fled.

“Reach out your hand.”

He did—

and it became a staff again.

The Signs

God gave him signs:

The staff becoming a serpent

The hand turning leprous and healed

Water from the Nile turning to blood

Still Moses said,

“I am slow of speech and tongue.”

God replied:

“Who made the mouth?

Go—I will be with your mouth.”

Moses said,

“Please, send someone else.”

So the Lord said,

“Your brother Aaron shall go with you.

I will be with your words.”

The Return to Egypt

Moses returned to Jethro and said,

“Let me return to my people in Egypt.”

God said,

“All who sought your life are dead. Go.”

Moses took his wife and sons,

and the staff of God in his hand.

———

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said:

“Thus says YHWH, the God of Israel:

Let My people go,

that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.”

Pharaoh replied:

“Who is YHWH,

that I should obey Him?”

He refused—

and increased the burden.

He commanded:

“No more straw for bricks.

Let them gather it themselves—

but the quota shall not decrease.”

The people were beaten.

They cried to Moses,

“You have made us stink in Pharaoh’s eyes.”

Moses cried to God:

“Why have You sent me?

You have not delivered Your people.”

And God replied:

“Now you shall see

what I will do to Pharaoh.”

———

Then YHWH said to Moses:

“Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh.

With a strong hand, he will send them out.”

God spoke to Moses and said:

“I am YHWH.

I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El Shaddai,

but by My name YHWH I was not known to them.

I have remembered My covenant.”

“I will bring you out.

I will rescue you from slavery.

I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.

I will take you as My people,

and I will be your God.”

But the people would not listen to Moses,

because of broken spirit and cruel bondage.

———

YHWH said to Moses:

“I have made you like a god to Pharaoh,

and Aaron your messenger.

You shall speak,

and I will harden Pharaoh’s heart

so that My signs may multiply in Egypt.”

Moses and Aaron did as commanded.

Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh,

and it became a serpent.

Pharaoh's magicians did the same by their arts,

but Aaron’s staff swallowed theirs.

Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.

The First Sign — Water to Blood

YHWH said to Moses:

“Go to Pharaoh in the morning.

Strike the Nile with your staff.”

So Moses raised the staff,

and the waters turned to blood.

Fish died.

The river stank.

The Egyptians could not drink.

For seven days, the land was without water.

———

Second Sign — Frogs

Moses said:

“Let My people go, or frogs will cover the land.”

Pharaoh refused.

So frogs came — into houses, ovens, kneading bowls.

Pharaoh begged Moses:

“Pray to YHWH to remove them, and I will let the people go.”

Moses prayed. The frogs died.

But Pharaoh hardened his heart again.

Third Sign — Dust Becomes Gnats

Aaron struck the dust with his staff,

and it became gnats throughout Egypt.

The magicians said:

“This is the finger of God.”

But Pharaoh would not listen.

Fourth Sign — Swarms

Swarms of insects filled the houses and land.

But in the land of Goshen, where Israel lived, there were none.

Pharaoh said:

“Go, but do not go far. Pray for me.”

Moses prayed. The swarms ceased.

But Pharaoh again hardened his heart.

———

Fifth Sign — Death of Livestock

A plague struck the Egyptian livestock,

but not a single animal of Israel died.

Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hard.

Sixth Sign — Boils

Moses tossed soot from a furnace into the air.

It became boils breaking out on humans and animals.

Even the magicians could not stand before Moses.

But Pharaoh’s heart was unyielding.

Seventh Sign — Hail and Fire

Moses warned:

“Let My people go. Tomorrow, hail will fall like never before.”

Those who trusted Moses sheltered their servants and animals.

But many did not.

Hail fell — with fire flashing in the storm.

Every tree shattered. Every field destroyed.

Only in Goshen there was peace.

Pharaoh said:

“I have sinned. Pray for me.”

Moses prayed.

The hail stopped.

Pharaoh hardened his heart again.

———

Eighth Sign — Locusts

Pharaoh’s officials pleaded:

“Let them go. Egypt is ruined!”

Moses warned:

“Let us go and serve YHWH.”

Pharaoh said:

“Only the men may go.”

Moses stretched his staff,

and the wind brought locusts without number.

They devoured everything the hail had left.

Pharaoh said:

“I have sinned. Forgive me.”

Moses prayed.

The wind drove the locusts into the sea.

Still, Pharaoh did not let the people go.

Ninth Sign — Darkness

Moses stretched out his hand,

and deep darkness fell over Egypt for three days.

No one moved.

But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Pharaoh said:

“Go — but leave your flocks.”

Moses replied:

“Not a hoof will be left behind.”

Pharaoh raged:

“Leave My presence! If I see you again, you will die.”

Moses answered:

“You have spoken truly. I will not see your face again.”

———

YHWH said to Moses:

“One more plague I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt.

After that, he will send you out — and he will drive you out completely.”

Moses told the people:

“Ask your neighbors for silver and gold.

YHWH will give you favor in their eyes.”

Moses stood before Pharaoh and said:

“Thus says YHWH:

About midnight I will go out through Egypt.

Every firstborn will die — from Pharaoh’s son to the lowest servant’s child,

even the firstborn of the cattle.

But not a dog will bark against Israel.

Then you will know that YHWH makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.”

Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.

He would not let them go.

———

YHWH spoke to Moses and Aaron:

“This month shall be the first of months for you.

Tell the whole congregation:

On the tenth day, each household shall take a lamb — without blemish.

On the fourteenth day, you shall kill it at twilight.”

“Take some of the blood and put it on your doorposts.

Roast the lamb with fire, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

Do not leave any until morning.”

“This is YHWH’s Passover.

For I will pass through the land that night

and strike down every firstborn —

but when I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

Instructions for the Generations

“You shall keep this as a feast throughout your generations.

No foreigner may eat unless they are part of the covenant household.

The lamb must not be broken — its bones shall remain whole.”

“You shall teach your children:

‘It is the sacrifice of YHWH’s Passover —

who passed over the houses of Israel in Egypt.’”

The Tenth Sign — Death of the Firstborn

At midnight, YHWH struck down all the firstborn in Egypt.

From Pharaoh’s palace to the prisoner’s cell, there was no house without mourning.

Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron by night:

“Rise, go. Serve YHWH as you have said.

Take your flocks — and bless me also.”

The Departure

The people left in haste,

their bread unleavened.

They plundered the Egyptians,

who gave silver, gold, and clothing.

There were about six hundred thousand men on foot,

besides women and children.

They baked unleavened cakes from the dough,

for they had been driven out in haste.

———

YHWH said:

“Consecrate to Me all the firstborn — every first opening the womb is Mine.”

“When your children ask, ‘What does this mean?’ say:

‘With a strong hand, YHWH brought us out from bondage.’”

YHWH did not lead them by the way of the Philistines,

but by the wilderness toward the sea.

Moses took the bones of Joseph,

as he had sworn.

YHWH went before them —

a pillar of cloud by day,

a pillar of fire by night.

———

YHWH said to Moses:

“Turn back and camp near the sea.

I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.

He will pursue — and I will get glory over him.”

Pharaoh pursued with his army and chariots.

The people cried out in fear.

But Moses said:

“Do not fear. Stand firm.

You will see the salvation of YHWH today.”

YHWH said to Moses:

“Lift your staff.

Stretch out your hand over the sea.”

The cloud moved between Israel and Egypt —

dark to one side, light to the other.

Moses stretched his hand,

and YHWH drove the sea back with a strong east wind.

The waters stood like walls,

and Israel crossed on dry ground.

The Defeat of Egypt

Pharaoh’s army pursued into the sea.

But YHWH looked down from the cloud,

and threw them into confusion.

Moses stretched his hand again,

and the sea returned.

Not one of Pharaoh’s army remained.

But Israel walked through the sea on dry ground.

And they feared YHWH

and trusted in Him — and in Moses, His servant.

———

Then Moses and the people sang:

“I will sing to YHWH, for He is exalted.

Horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.

YHWH is my strength and my song.

He has become my salvation.”

“Pharaoh’s chariots and army He cast into the sea.

The floods covered them — they sank like stone.”

“Who is like You, O YHWH, among the mighty?

Glorious in holiness, awesome in praise, working wonders?”

“You stretched out Your right hand — the earth swallowed them.

In Your steadfast love, You led the people You redeemed.”

Bitter Water Made Sweet

They came to Marah,

but the water was bitter.

The people grumbled.

YHWH showed Moses a tree.

He threw it into the water,

and it became sweet.

There, YHWH made a decree:

“If you listen to My voice,

and keep My ways,

I will not bring upon you the diseases of Egypt.”

“For I am YHWH your Healer.”

———

The whole congregation of Israel set out from Elim

and came to the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Sinai,

on the fifteenth day of the second month after they left Egypt.

The people grumbled against Moses and Aaron:

“Would that we had died by YHWH’s hand in Egypt,

where we sat by pots of meat and ate bread to the full.

But you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us.”

Then YHWH said to Moses:

“I will rain down bread from the sky.

Each day the people shall gather what they need.

On the sixth day, they shall gather double.”

In the evening, quail covered the camp.

In the morning, a fine, flake-like substance appeared on the ground—

as fine as frost.

The people asked, “What is it?”

Moses said:

“It is the bread YHWH has given you.

Take what you need—each according to your household.”

They called it manna.

It was like coriander seed, white, and tasted like wafers with honey.

Moses warned:

“Let no one keep it until morning.”

But some did, and it bred worms and stank.

On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much.

Moses said:

“Tomorrow is a rest—set apart to YHWH.

Bake what you will bake. Boil what you will boil.

What remains, keep for tomorrow.”

And it did not stink, nor did it have worms.

Then Moses said:

“Eat it today. Today is a rest to YHWH; you will not find it in the field.”

For six days they gathered.

On the seventh, some went out but found none.

YHWH said:

“How long will you refuse My commands?

See, I give you rest. On the sixth day I provide double.”

The house of Israel ate manna forty years.

And they placed an omer of it in a jar before YHWH, as a witness.

———

At Rephidim, there was no water.

The people quarreled with Moses:

“Give us water!”

Moses cried out:

“What shall I do with this people? They are ready to stone me!”

YHWH said:

“Take your staff. Go to the rock at Horeb.

I will stand before you there. Strike the rock, and water will flow.”

Moses did so, and water came out.

He named the place Massah (Testing) and Meribah (Quarreling).

Then Amalek came and fought with Israel.

Moses said to Joshua:

“Choose men and go fight.

I will stand on the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”

As Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed.

When he let them down, Amalek prevailed.

Aaron and Hur supported his hands—one on each side.

So his hands were steady until sunset,

and Joshua defeated Amalek.

Moses built an altar and called it YHWH Nissi — YHWH is my Banner.

———

Jethro, priest of Midian and Moses’ father-in-law, came with Zipporah and Moses’ sons.

Moses recounted all YHWH had done—

the deliverance from Egypt, the signs, the wilderness journey.

Jethro rejoiced and said:

“Now I know YHWH is greater than all gods.”

He brought burnt offerings and sacrifices,

and they feasted in the presence of God.

The next day, Moses sat to judge the people.

From morning till evening they came with matters.

Jethro said:

“What you are doing is not good.

You will wear yourself out. Appoint capable men to help.”

“Let them judge the simple matters,

and bring the hard cases to you.

This way you will endure—and the people will have peace.”

Moses listened and did as he said.

———

In the third month, they came to the wilderness of Sinai.

Israel camped before the mountain.

YHWH called to Moses from the mountain:

“Say to the house of Jacob:

‘You have seen what I did to Egypt—

how I bore you on eagle’s wings and brought you to Myself.

Now if you trust and obey My voice,

you shall be My treasured possession,

a kingdom of priests and a set-apart nation.’”

The people said:

“All that YHWH has spoken, we will do.”

YHWH said:

“Prepare the people.

In three days I will come down in fire upon the mountain.

Set boundaries around it. Do not touch the mountain.”

On the third day:

There was thunder, lightning, a thick cloud,

and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn.

The mountain trembled.

Smoke rose from it like a furnace.

The sound of the trumpet grew louder.

Then God descended in fire.

Moses went up, and YHWH called him from the top.

———

And God spoke all these words:

“I am YHWH your God,

who brought you out of Egypt, out of slavery.

You shall have no other gods before Me.

You shall not make for yourself an image or bow to them.

You shall not take the Name of YHWH in vain.

Remember the seventh day, to keep it set-apart.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness.

You shall not covet.”

The people saw the thunder, lightning, the smoke,

and heard the trumpet.

They trembled and said:

“Let God not speak to us, or we will die.

You speak to us, Moses.”

Moses said:

“Do not fear.

God has come to test you,

that His awe may be upon you.”

The people stood far off.

Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

———

YHWH said to Moses:

“These are the judgments you shall set before them.”

Servants and Freedom

“If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years,

but in the seventh, he shall go free without payment.

If he came in alone, he shall go out alone.

If he had a wife, she shall go out with him.

If his master gave him a wife and she bore children,

they remain with the master.

But if the servant says:

‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go free’—

then he shall be brought to the door,

and his ear pierced with an awl—

and he shall serve for life.”

Protection of Life and Dignity

“Whoever strikes a man and he dies shall be put to death.

But if it was not intentional, I will appoint a place of refuge.

He who strikes his father or mother shall be put to death.

He who kidnaps or curses his parents shall be put to death.”

Injury and Compensation

“If men fight and one is injured but recovers,

the aggressor must compensate for loss and ensure healing.

If a pregnant woman is struck and gives birth prematurely without harm,

there shall be a fine.

But if there is harm: life for life, eye for eye,

tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”

Servants and Animals

“If a master injures a servant’s eye or tooth,

the servant shall go free.

If an ox gores a man to death, the ox shall be stoned.

If the owner knew and did not restrain it,

he shall also be held accountable.”

———

Property and Restitution

“If someone steals an ox or a sheep and kills or sells it,

they must repay five oxen for an ox, four sheep for a sheep.

If a thief is caught breaking in and struck,

there is no bloodguilt.

If fire spreads and burns another’s field,

the one who kindled the fire must make restitution.”

Social Responsibility

“If a man seduces a virgin not betrothed,

he must pay the bride price and marry her.

You shall not allow sorcery to continue.

You shall not oppress the foreigner—

for you were foreigners in Egypt.

You shall not mistreat the widow or orphan.

If you lend to the poor, do not act as a creditor—

do not charge interest.

If you take a cloak as security,

return it before sunset—for it is his covering.”

Reverence

“You shall not curse God or a leader among your people.

Bring the first of your harvest and of your sons to Me.

You shall be holy to Me.”

———

“Do not spread false reports.

Do not follow the crowd into evil.

Do not deny justice to the poor.

Keep far from falsehood.

Do not kill the innocent or the righteous.

Do not take bribes—they blind and pervert justice.

Do not oppress the foreigner—remember Egypt.”

Rest and Rhythm

“For six years you shall sow the land,

but in the seventh let it rest for the poor and the wild animals.

Work six days, but rest the seventh,

so your ox and donkey may rest,

and the son of your servant and the foreigner may be refreshed.”

Sacred Times

“Keep all that I have spoken.

Do not even name the names of foreign gods.

Three times a year, hold a feast to Me:

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

The Feast of Harvest

The Feast of Ingathering at the year’s end.

Do not appear before Me empty-handed.”

The Angel of the Way

“I send My messenger before you

to guard you and bring you to the place I have prepared.

Listen to his voice.

Do not provoke him—he bears My Name.”

———

Moses told the people all the words and laws of YHWH.

They answered with one voice:

“All that YHWH has spoken, we will do.”

Moses wrote down all the words of YHWH.

He built an altar at the foot of the mountain

and twelve stone pillars for the twelve tribes.

Young men offered offerings and peace offerings.

Moses took half the blood and put it in basins—

the other half he sprinkled on the altar.

Then he read the Book of the Covenant aloud,

and the people said again:

“All that YHWH has spoken, we will do, and we will trust.”

Then Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people:

“Behold the blood of the covenant

that YHWH has made with you.”

Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders went up.

They saw the God of Israel—

under His feet was something like sapphire,

clear as the sky.

They ate and drank in His presence.

YHWH said to Moses:

“Come up to Me on the mountain and stay.

I will give you the tablets of stone—

the law and the commands I have written.”

Moses rose with Joshua and ascended.

The cloud covered the mountain.

The glory of YHWH rested on Sinai.

To the people below, it was a consuming fire.

Moses entered the cloud

and stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

———

YHWH spoke:

“Tell the people to bring Me an offering—

from every heart that is willing.

Gold, silver, bronze.

Blue, purple, and scarlet thread.

Fine linen, goats’ hair, ram skins, acacia wood, oil, incense, precious stones.

Let them make Me a sanctuary,

so I may dwell among them.

Make everything according to the pattern I show you.”

The Ark

“Make an ark of acacia wood overlaid with gold.

Inside it place the testimony I give you.

Make a mercy seat of pure gold.

And two cherubim—facing each other—

their wings covering the seat.

There I will meet with you,

and speak to you from above the mercy seat.”

The Table

“Make a table for the bread of presence,

with gold rings and poles to carry it.

Place the bread before Me continually.”

The Lampstand

“Make a lampstand of pure gold—

with six branches, almond blossoms, cups, and buds.

Its lamps shall give light forward.

The tools for tending it must also be of gold.

Be sure to make it all according to the vision I show you on the mountain.”

———

YHWH said to Moses:

“Make the Tabernacle from ten curtains of fine linen,

with blue, purple, and scarlet thread—

with designs of cherubim skillfully woven in.

Each curtain shall be joined to the next,

so it becomes one whole.”

Coverings of goats’ hair, ram skins dyed red, and leather were made for protection.

The Framework

“Make upright boards of acacia wood,

standing side by side—twenty on the south, twenty on the north.

Fit them together with silver bases and gold rings.”

The Veil

“Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn,

with cherubim woven in.

Hang it with gold hooks under the clasps.

Behind the veil, place the Ark of the Testimony.”

The Layout

“The table and the lampstand shall be outside the veil,

the Ark behind it.

Make a screen for the entrance, beautifully embroidered,

supported by five pillars.”

———

The Altar of Burnt Offering

“Make an altar of acacia wood—five cubits square, three high.

Overlay it with bronze.

Make horns on its corners, one piece with the altar.

It shall have bronze utensils, grating, rings, and poles.”

The Courtyard

“Make the courtyard with linen hangings:

100 cubits on the south and north sides,

50 cubits on the west,

and an embroidered gate 20 cubits wide on the east.

All the pillars shall have bronze bases and silver hooks.

The height shall be five cubits.

The entire court shall be enclosed.”

The Oil

“Command the people to bring pure olive oil,

beaten for light,

to keep the lamp burning continually.

Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning—

as a lasting ordinance.”

———

“Set apart Aaron and his sons to serve as priests.

Make holy garments for them—glorious and beautiful.”

The Garments

Breastplate

Ephod

Robe

Tunic of checkered work

Turban

Sash

“They shall be skillfully made,

to consecrate Aaron for priestly service.”

The Ephod

“Make it of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.

On the shoulders, place two onyx stones

engraved with the names of the sons of Israel—six on each stone.

Fasten them with gold filigree and braided chains.”

The Breastplate of Decision

“It shall be square and folded double—

set with twelve stones:

sardius, topaz, emerald… each representing a tribe.

Bind it with gold rings and blue cords to the ephod.

Inside it place the Urim and Thummim.”

Other Garments

“Make the robe of the ephod entirely blue,

with pomegranates and bells around the hem.

Engrave a gold plate:

‘Set-Apart to YHWH’

and fasten it to the turban on Aaron’s forehead.”

“Make tunics, sashes, and caps for Aaron’s sons.

Anoint and ordain them,

that they may serve as priests.”

———

“This is what you shall do to consecrate them to serve Me:

Take one young bull and two rams without blemish,

and unleavened bread, cakes with oil, and wafers.”

The Ritual

“Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tent.

Wash them with water.

Clothe Aaron with the garments,

and anoint him with oil.

Then clothe his sons.”

The Offerings

“Lay hands on the bull—

it is for the sin offering.

Then sacrifice the first ram—

a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma.

The second ram is the ordination offering.

Take its blood and put it on their right ear, right thumb, and right toe.

Take some blood and anoint the altar and the garments.”

The Sacred Portion

“Boil the flesh of the ordination ram and eat it at the Tabernacle.

No outsider shall eat of it.

Burn what remains with fire.”

Seven Days

“Repeat this for seven days.

The altar shall be purified and set apart.”

The Daily Offering

“Every day, offer two lambs—morning and evening.

With flour and oil and a drink offering.

There I will meet with you,

and My glory will dwell among Israel.

I will dwell among them—

and they shall know that I am YHWH their God.”

———

The Altar of Incense

“Make an altar for burning incense—acacia wood, overlaid with gold.

Place it before the veil, where I will meet with you.

Burn incense every morning and evening when the lamps are tended.

Do not offer strange incense, burnt offerings, or grain offerings on it.”

Atonement Silver

“When you count the people, each shall give a ransom—half a shekel—

as a memorial before Me, to protect from plague.

It shall be used for the service of the Tent.”

The Bronze Basin

“Make a basin of bronze for washing.

Aaron and his sons must wash their hands and feet

before entering the Tent or approaching the altar—lest they die.”

The Anointing Oil

“Take myrrh, cinnamon, sweet cane, cassia, and olive oil.

Make a sacred anointing oil.

Anoint the Tent, the Ark, the table, the lampstand, the altar, the basin,

and Aaron and his sons.

It shall not be poured on an outsider.”

The Incense

“Make incense with equal parts of stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense.

It shall be most holy—only for Me.

Whoever makes it for his own pleasure shall be cut off.”

———

YHWH spoke to Moses:

“See, I have called by name Bezalel, son of Uri, son of Hur,

of the tribe of Judah.

I have filled him with the Spirit of God—

with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skill

to craft all that I have commanded:

The Tent of Meeting

The Ark of Testimony

The Table and utensils

The Lampstand and oils

The garments of the priests

The anointing oil and sacred incense”

“I have also appointed Oholiab, son of Ahisamach of Dan,

and have given skill to all the wise-hearted.”

The Sabbath Sign

“You shall surely keep My Sabbaths—

it is a sign between Me and you for generations to come,

that you may know I am YHWH who sets you apart.

Work for six days.

The seventh is rest—holy to YHWH.

Whoever profanes it shall be cut off.”

“It is a perpetual covenant,

a sign forever between Me and Israel.

For in six days YHWH made the heavens and the earth,

and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.”

Then He gave Moses the two stone tablets—

written by the finger of God.

———

When the people saw Moses delayed on the mountain,

they gathered around Aaron:

“Make us gods to go before us,

for we do not know what became of Moses.”

Aaron said:

“Bring your gold earrings.”

He fashioned a molten calf

and said:

“This is your god, O Israel, who brought you out of Egypt.”

They built an altar and held a feast.

The Intercession

YHWH said to Moses:

“Go down.

The people have corrupted themselves.

They have turned aside quickly.

I will consume them and make a great nation from you.”

But Moses pleaded:

“Why should Your wrath burn against Your people?

Turn from destruction.

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

And YHWH relented from the calamity He had spoken.

The Shattering

Moses descended the mountain with the tablets in hand.

When he saw the calf and the dancing,

he burned with anger,

threw the tablets down,

and shattered them at the foot of the mountain.

He burned the calf, ground it to powder,

scattered it on the water,

and made the people drink it.

The Sword of Levi

Moses said:

“Whoever is for YHWH, come to me.”

The sons of Levi gathered,

and he said:

“Put on your sword. Go through the camp.”

That day, about three thousand fell.

Moses said:

“Today you have been set apart for YHWH—

at great cost.”

———

YHWH said to Moses:

“Go up from here.

I will send My messenger before you.

But I will not go among you,

for you are a stiff-necked people.”

The people mourned.

The Tent Outside the Camp

Moses pitched a tent outside the camp,

and called it the Tent of Meeting.

Whenever Moses entered,

the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the entrance,

and YHWH spoke with him.

The people rose and worshiped from their tents.

YHWH spoke to Moses face to face,

as a man speaks to his friend.

The Cry for Presence

Moses said:

“If Your Presence does not go with us,

do not send us up from here.

Show me now Your ways,

that I may know You and find favor.”

YHWH said:

“My Presence will go with you,

and I will give you rest.”

Moses said:

“Show me Your glory.”

YHWH replied:

“I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,

and proclaim My Name—YHWH.

But you cannot see My face and live.

Stand on the rock.

When My glory passes by,

I will cover you with My hand.

Then I will remove My hand,

and you shall see My back—

but My face shall not be seen.”

———

YHWH said:

“Carve two tablets like the first,

and I will write upon them again.”

Moses rose early, ascended Mount Sinai,

and YHWH descended in the cloud.

YHWH passed before him and proclaimed:

“YHWH, YHWH,

compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger,

abounding in steadfast love and truth,

keeping covenant to a thousand generations,

forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin—

but not clearing the guilty without consequence.”

Moses bowed and said:

“Go with us, though we are a stiff-necked people.

Forgive our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”

Renewing the Covenant

YHWH said:

“I am making a covenant before all your people.

I will do wonders never before seen.

But you must tear down altars, smash pillars,

and cut down Asherah poles.

Do not make covenants with the inhabitants of the land.”

“Keep My Feasts:

Unleavened Bread

Weeks (Firstfruits)

Ingathering

No one shall appear before Me empty-handed.

You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

Moses was there forty days and nights.

He neither ate bread nor drank water.

He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Words.

The Radiant Face

When Moses came down,

his face shone with the glory of YHWH.

The people were afraid to come near.

So Moses spoke to them,

then covered his face with a veil.

He would remove the veil when he went in to speak with YHWH.

———

Moses gathered the entire community and said:

“These are the words YHWH has commanded:

Work six days,

but the seventh is a rest—holy to YHWH.

Whoever does work on it shall be cut off.”

Freewill Offerings

“Take from among you an offering to YHWH—

everyone whose heart is willing.

Gold, silver, and bronze,

linen and yarn, oil and spices, stones and wood.”

All who were stirred came.

The women spun yarn.

The leaders brought gems and oil.

“All the men and women whose hearts were willing

brought what was needed for the sacred work.”

The Appointed Craftsmen

Moses said:

“Bezalel has been filled with the Spirit of God—

wisdom, skill, and understanding.

And Oholiab has been given the ability to teach.

They shall work and lead all who are wise-hearted,

whom YHWH has gifted for this holy task.”

———

Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted one whom YHWH had gifted,

set out to do the work.

Moses called them, along with everyone whose heart stirred to help.

They received the offerings from the people—

but each morning, more was brought.

The craftsmen came to Moses and said:

“The people are bringing more than enough.”

So Moses gave the word—

“Let no more offerings be brought.”

The people were restrained from giving,

for what they had was more than sufficient.

The Work of the Tabernacle

The skilled workers made:

The ten curtains with cherubim

The goats’ hair coverings

The tanned ram skins and leather cover

The upright boards and silver sockets

The veil of blue, purple, and scarlet

The pillars and hooks and gold rings

Every detail was done according to the vision YHWH had shown Moses.

———

Bezalel made the Ark of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold.

He made its mercy seat—two cherubim of hammered gold

with wings outstretched, facing one another.

He made the table for the bread of presence—

with its rings, poles, and vessels, all of gold.

He made the lampstand—a single piece of pure gold

with branches, almond blossoms, cups, and buds.

Its seven lamps and tools were also of pure gold.

He made the incense altar, and prepared the sacred oil and pure incense.

———

He made the altar of burnt offering with bronze—

its grating, rings, and poles.

He made the bronze basin from the mirrors of the women

who served at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.

He made the courtyard:

Hangings of linen

Pillars with bronze bases and silver hooks

The embroidered entrance screen in blue, purple, and scarlet

The Materials Recorded

The silver from those counted in the census

was used for sockets and hooks—

a half-shekel per man, 603,550 in all.

Bronze from the offerings was used for the altar, the basin, and the courtyard fittings.

Every detail was recorded—nothing wasted, nothing omitted.

———

They made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and linen.

They beat gold into threads and wove them in.

They fastened the onyx stones engraved with the names of Israel.

They made the breastplate—four rows of stones,

each representing a tribe of Israel.

They made the robe, the tunics, turbans, and sashes—

all of fine linen, skillfully woven.

They made the plate of pure gold, inscribed:

“Set-Apart to YHWH”, and bound it to the turban.

All the work of the Tabernacle was completed.

The people brought it to Moses—

tent, furnishings, gold, silver, garments—

every piece crafted as YHWH had commanded.

Moses saw all the work,

and behold—it was done as YHWH had shown.

Moses blessed them.

———

YHWH spoke to Moses:

“On the first day of the first month,

set up the Tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.”

Moses set it up—

Laid its bases

Set its boards

Placed the Ark and covered it

Brought in the table and the lampstand

Burned incense and offered burnt offerings

Placed water in the basin

Washed, clothed Aaron and his sons

Anointed everything with oil

Everything was done as YHWH had commanded.

Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting,

and the glory of YHWH filled the Tabernacle.

Moses could not enter—

for the cloud settled on it,

and the glory filled the space.

From that day on:

When the cloud lifted, Israel journeyed.

When the cloud remained, they stayed.

By day the cloud of YHWH was over the Tabernacle,

and by night it was fire—

in the sight of all the house of Israel.