EXODUS, BOOK OF

second book of Old Testament; name of Gk. derivation, meaning ‘departure.’ Naturally divided into three parts; first part (chaps.1 to 18) is historical, describes enslavement of Children of Israel in Egypt, birth and upbringing of Moses, his mi ion as deliverer of his race, the ten plagues, institution of Pa over, and the departure from Egypt; second part (chaps. 19 to 24) is legislative, narrates the giving of the law on Sinai, and confirmation of Mosaic Covenant; third part (chaps. 25 to 40) is chiefly constructive, narrates orders respecting Tabernacle, consecration of Aaron’s family as priests, making of Golden Calf and resulting punishment, and finally the building of the Tabernacle. E. shows many traces of Egyptian influence; numbers of Egyptian words occur, and regulations of Mosaic law show influence of Egyptian life. E. is a compilation by various writers from documents of different date, its sources, according to Driver and other authorities, being same as those of Gen is {q.v.).. The sources, P. or the Priests’ Code, J, and E, are generally easily recognisable; the last two are not always easily distinguishable in the legislative sections. First eighteen chapters have their source mainly in J and E, with extracts from P in various chapters; chaps. 19 to 24 and 31 (v. 18) to 34 (v. 28) are from J and E, except for three verses in chap. 24 ascribed to P. to whom also chaps 25 to 31 (v. 18) and 34 (v. 29) to 40 are due.