Chapters of the Bible

God announces the final plague—the death of every firstborn son in Egypt—and instructs Israel to prepare by borrowing silver and gold from their neighbors.

God institutes the Passover ritual: Israel must sacrifice a perfect lamb and put its blood on their doorposts. The tenth plague strikes, killing every firstborn son in Egypt.

Israel is freed from Egypt. God commands the consecration of the firstborn and the annual celebration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread to remember their swift deliverance.

Pharaoh changes his mind and pursues Israel to the Red Sea. God commands Moses to lift his staff, parting the sea. Israel crosses safely, and the Egyptian army drowns.

Moses and Israel sing a triumphant Song of the Sea celebrating God's power over the Egyptians. The people later grumble, and God sweetens the bitter waters of Marah.

The people complain about a lack of food. God provides manna (bread from heaven) and quail. God commands them to gather enough manna for six days, but none on the Sabbath.

Israel complains about thirst at Rephidim. God commands Moses to strike the rock at Horeb, and water flows out. Israel defeats the attacking Amalekites under Joshua.

Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law, visits and advises Moses to delegate the heavy burden of judging the people by appointing capable leaders to handle minor disputes.

Israel arrives at Mount Sinai. God declares His intention to make them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. The mountain is covered in smoke, thunder, and fire.

God speaks the Ten Commandments directly to Israel from Mount Sinai: moral laws governing their relationship with God and their relationship with one another.

God provides civil laws concerning slaves (who must be freed after six years), personal injury (including "eye for eye"), and penalties for various violent acts.

God gives laws concerning property rights (theft, damage), social justice (loans, interest), and commands for protecting foreigners, widows, and orphans.