Exodus facts for kids

Exodus is the second book in the Torah. In Hebrew, Exodus is called Shmowt. This means 'names'. The word 'Exodus' comes from Latin. It means 'going out'.

The book tells the story of how God led the Hebrew people out of Egypt. Their leader, Moses, heard God's words. He then shared them with the Israelites. Exodus ends with God's laws. It also includes instructions for building a special holy container called the Ark of the Covenant.

The Story of Exodus

After the Hebrews went to Egypt for food, a new Pharaoh came to power. This Pharaoh made every Hebrew a slave. He made them work very hard. He also told his soldiers to throw their baby boys into the Nile River.

One baby, Moses, was put in a reed basket. His mother set it adrift on the Nile. An Egyptian princess found him and rescued him. Moses grew up in the Pharaoh's palace. Later, he killed an Egyptian slave owner. Moses then escaped from Egypt. He lived away from his people in Midian with his father-in-law, Jethro.

Moses with the Ten Commandments, by Rembrandt (1659)

One day, Moses was looking after his sheep. God appeared to him in a burning bush. God told Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses was not confident he could do this. So, God gave him his brother Aaron to help. Aaron was a good speaker and helped Moses talk to the Pharaoh.

When Moses returned to Egypt, he asked the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. But the Pharaoh refused. Through God's power, Moses brought ten plagues upon Egypt.

The Ten Plagues

The last plague was the death of all the firstborns in Egypt. Only the Israelites' firstborns were saved. They had the blood of a young lamb on their door. Because of this, God did not let the Angel of Death enter their houses. Finally, the Pharaoh decided to let the Israelites go.

While the Israelites were crossing the Red Sea, the Pharaoh changed his mind. He decided to chase them with his troops. Moses parted the Sea with his staff by God's power. The Israelites passed safely. Once they were all across, the sea closed. All of the Pharaoh's troops drowned.

Later, at Mount Sinai, Moses received God's law. This included the Ten Commandments. But the Israelites sinned against God. They worshiped an idol, which was a golden calf. Moses broke the first two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments in anger. God later gave him two new ones. He also told Moses how to build the Ark of the Covenant.

Exodus in Media

The story of Exodus has been made into movies several times. Famous examples include The Ten Commandments and The Prince of Egypt.

See also

In Spanish: Exodus para niños