THE EXODUS AND SINAI COVENANT

Historical antecedents: Civilizations of Sumer (ca. 2800 B.C.) and Akkad (ca. 2350); Amorite migrations (ca. 1950); Hyksos domination of Egypt 1720-1550; nomadic settlements in the Delta; revival of nationalism: Ahmose I (13th Dynasty); enslavement; Seti I (19th Dynasty), ca. 1310 B.C.

Birth of Moses (Exodus 1-2)

etiological: etymology of name of Moses.

folklore elements: basket of bulrushes, cf. birth of Sargon I (ANET, p. 119).

Early years of Moses (Exodus 3-4)

God speaks in the accents of human history: divine revelation through religious insight into human conditions and events of history.

Moses' identification with his people; defender of the oppressed; the Hebrew slave, the wronged Hebrew, the

daughters of Reuel/Jethro.

Flight to Midian, marriage, introduction to Yahweh at Sinai:

burning bush theophany.

Reflection on Hebrew problem; insight: Yahweh will help them

escape from Egypt.

Exodus event (Exodus 5-15)

Accession of Ramsses II, ca. 1290 B.C.; return of Moses to Egypt.

The plagues: J, E, P traditions:

J: basically natural phenomena interpreted in faith;

natural causes through prayer of Moses; Yahweh in

control.

E: folklore elements: Moses' rod, embellishment of story.

P: plagues effected by Aaron (first priest); exaggeration.

1. Water to blood: 7:14-18,20 (from "in the sight of")-21

(to "from the Nile") J;

E elements in vv 15,17,20 stress Moses' rod;

7:19-20 (to "the LORD commanded"),2l (from "and there was blood")-22 (not just Nile!) P.

2. Frogs: 8:1-4,8-15 (NAB 7:25-29, 8:4-11) J; 8:5-7 (NAB 8:1-3) P.

3. Gnats: 8:16-19 (NAB 8:12-15) P only.

4. Flies: 8:20-32 (NAB 8:16-28) J only.

5. Cattle plague: 9:1-7 J only.

6. Boils: 9:8-12 P only.

7. Hail: 9:13-35 J; E elements in vv 22,23,24,25,35 stress

Moses' rod.

8. Locusts: 10:1-20 J; E elements in vv 12,13,14,15,20.

9. Darkness (sandstorm): 10:21-23,27 E; 24-26,28-29 J

10. Death of the firstborn: 11:1-8 J; E elements in ll:1-3;

11:9-10 P.

Route of the Exodus

Avoidance of the coastal highway and border guards; crossing of the Reed Sea.

J: east wind drove waters back; Egyptian chariots got stuck in mud.

E: Moses' rod; the angel of God.

P: walls of water; liturgical embellishment.

Theophanic symbols: pillar of cloud (day), pillar of fire (night).

Sinai Covenant (Exodus 19-24)

Theological introduction (chap 19).

Form of the covenant (chap 20): model--Hittite suzerainty treaty.

Preamble: identification of the overlord: "I am Yahweh your God."

Historical prologue: recitation of benefits conferred:

"who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of

the house of slavery."

Stipulations of the treaty: the Ten Commandments:

1. Do not prefer other gods to me.

2. Do not make for yourself a carved image.

3. Do not pronounce the name Yahweh.

4. Observe the Sabbath day.

5. Honor your father and your mother.

6. Do not kill.

7. Do not commit adultery.

8. Do not kidnap.

9. Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.

10. Do not covet (= desire and take) your neighbor's

property.

Covenant sealing ceremonies (chap 24)

J: 1-2,9-11: Representatives of the people have a sacred meal on the mountain.

E: 3-8: All the people accept the covenant and are sprinkled with blood.