Hebrew Bible: Exodus, Part 1

"Exodus" -- Greek; from the Vulgate "the exodus from Egypt"
"Shemot" (she-mote) -- Hebrew; from the opening phrase of the book

Documentary Hypothesis

• all four authors represented
• however, the authors are difficult to separate
• possibly a good work of a redactor

God's Role and Location

• not as personal; only speaks to Moses
• dwells "amongst His host"
• dwells atop mountains
• Horeb
• site of burning bush (in Midian)
• Siani
• name similar to "bush" in Hebrew
• located either in Siani Peninsula or southern Jordan
• possibly two traditions??

A totally different Religion

• no altars or "setting up stones"
• people more apt to lose faith
• institution of the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread
• golden calf (later)
• a nation relates to God as a whole -- not as the individual patriarchs did

History

• NO evidence of a mass exodus and large military defeat in Egyptian history
• however, slavery escapes were historical during the 13th century BCE
• date:
• biblical -- 15th century BCE
• slavery, escapes, Pi-Ramses -- 13th century BCE
• possible writing of the story, when Ramses was city name (see below) -- 10th century BCE
• cities where the Israelites worked:
• Pitnam (no historical record)
• Ramses (name of city in 10th century BCE)
• After exodus -- no influx of Egyptian ideas or culture in Mesopotamia

"Moses"

• "child" or "son of" in Egyptian
• name given by Egyptian Pharaoh's daughter
• e.g. "ra-moses" means "son of god Ra"
• "Mashah" means "pulled out" in Hebrew
• another theory as to where the name comes from

How is the story used?  What did it mean to the Israelites?

• to establish their national identity
• to tell a story of victory over Egypt
• to show how God sent plagues to establish authority over Egyptian gods
• to explain religious rituals
• to explain the revelation of the Law
• to build the Tabernacle (like a tent) in which God dwelt

Exodus 3 -- Moses' Call

     "I am who I am" or "I will be who I will be" (Hebrew)

     YHWH means "to be/being"

     both names have the same root

     Is this God's real name revealed?

Exodus 4:24-26 -- God tries to kill Moses

• Zipporah is the hero by cutting off her son's foreskin
• "feet" refers to genitals (Hebrew)
• meanings:
• importance of circumcision?
• to legitimate Egyptian son and/or wife?
• Is God actually trying to kill the son?

Homework:  Read Collins, chap 6 and Exodus 19-24, 40.

Have a great day :)  sorry these are not as pretty as usual!