Exodus

40 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 1The small number of Israelites much increasing in Egypt, 6. especially after the death of Joseph and his brethren, 8. a new king, that knew not Joseph in vain striveth to hinder their multiplication, 11. by imposing works upon them, 15. and by commanding to kill, 22. and to drown all the male-children of them. God in the meantime rewardeth the midwives, that fearing him, killed not the children.
2. 2A child of the Hebrews, and Tribe of Levi, being exposed to the water, 5. is taken from thence by Pharao's daughter, 8. who committeth him to be nursed, unwitting to his own mother, adopteth him and calleth him Moyses, 11. He afterwards visiting his brethren, killeth an Egyptian; 15. fleeth into Madian; 21. marrieth a Wife, and hath two sons.
3. 3God appeareth to Moyses in a bush burning but not consuming, 7. designeth him the Governor of the children of Israel, 10. with commission to tell them, that they shall be delivered from Egypt: 21. and shall spoil the Egyptians.
4. 4Moyses receiving power to work miracles in confirmation of his mission, 14. and his brother Aaron being designed to assist him, 20. goeth with wife and children towards Egypt, 25. is in danger to be slain for not sooner circumcising his son. 27. Aaron meeteth him, 29. so they go together, and declare to the people, that God will deliver them.
5. 5Moyses and Aaron require of Pharao in the behalf of God, to let his people the Hebrews go and sacrifice in the desert. Which he contemning, 5. oppresseth them more, denying them straw, and yet exacting the accustomed number of bricks. 20. The people oppressed impute their misery to Moyses and Aaron. 22. But Moyses prayeth to God for them.
6. 6God revealing himself more to Moyses than he had done to former Patriarches, 6. commandeth him to tell the children of Israel, that he seeing their miseries will deliver them from Egypt, and give them possession of Chanaan. 14. The genealogies of Ruben, Simeon, and especially of Levi are recited, 26. to shew the origin of Moyses and Aaron.
7. 7Moyses being constituted as God of Pharao, and Aaron as the prophet of Moyses, they declare God's commandment to Pharao, 10. turn the rod into a serpent, 17. and the water into blood, which is the first plague. 22. The magicians do the like by enchantment, and Pharao's heart is indurate.
8. 8The second plague is of frogs. 7. the enchanters make the like. 8. Pharao promiseth to let the Israelites go and sacrifice, so the frogs be taken away. 13. Which being done he breaketh promise. 16. The third plague is of sciniphes, 18. which the enchanters can not make. 21. The fourth is of flies. 29. Pharao again promiseth to dismiss the people of God, but doth it not.
9. 9The fifth plague is pestilence amongst the Egyptians' cattle. 8. The sixth boils in men and beasts. 18. The seventh, hail. 27. Pharao confessing God to be just, and himself and his people impious, promiseth again to dismiss the people, 34. but faileth to do it.
10. 10The eight plague, of locusts. 21. The ninth darkness. Pharao yieldeth that all men and children should go to the desert, but not the cattle. 28. At last commandeth Moyses to come no more in his sight, which Moyses foretelleth shall so be.
11. 11God biddeth Moyses cause the people of Israel to borrow silver and gold vessels of the Egyptians. 4. Foretelleth one other plague, the death of the first-born, but that Pharao will still be obdurate.
12. 12The manner of preparing and eating the Paschal lamb, sprinkling the door-posts with blood thereof. 15. eating no leavened bread seven days together. 29. The first-born of men and beasts among the Egyptians are slain. 35. The Israelites go away spoiling Egypt. 43. Uncircumcised men may not eat the Phase.
13. 13God commandeth to remember their deliverie from Egypt, by the solemnitie of Pasch. 2. and by consecrating to him the first-borne. 17. And so leadeth them through the desert towards the red sea (Moyses taking with him Josephs bones) by a pillar of fire in the night, and a cloud in the day.
14. 14Pharao persecuting the children of Israel with a great army. 10. they murmur against Moyses, 13. but are encouraged by him, and pass through the red sea dry foot. 23. Pharao and his host wilfully following are drowned.
15. 15Moyses with the people sing a Canticle of thanksgiving, for their deliverance. 22. The people being three days in the desert without water, then finding that is bitter, do murmur. 25. It is made sweet. 27. Coming to Elim they find twelve fountains, and seventy palm-trees.
16. 16The people murmuring for meat, and that they had left the flesh-pots of Egypt. 4. God giveth them quails and Manna. 16. Whereof they are commanded to gather for every day. 22. but the sixth day double for the Sabbath. 32. and to keep a measure of it in the tabernacle for a memory.
17. 17The people murmuring again in Raphidim for want of drink, our Lord giveth them water out of a rock. 8. Amalec fighteth with them. And Moyses lifting up his hand in prayer, Israel overcometh, otherwise Amalec prevaileth.
18. 18Jethro Moyses father in law bringeth to him his wife and children. 8. And hearing the great works of God. 12. offereth Sacrifice. 13. and wisely advised Moyses to appoint subordinate officers to judge less causes, reserving the greater to himself.
19. 19Near to mount Sinai, with commemoration of their deliverie from Egypt, the people are commanded to be sanctified. 16. and so our Lord coming in thunders and lightnings speaketh with Moyses.
20. 20Moyses receiveth the Decalogue or ten commandments of God, for all the people. 23. with repetition that they shall not make false-gods, nor make Altars but of earth or unhewed stone, and without steps.
21. 21Judicial precepts concerning bondmen and bondwomen. 12. Manslaughter and striking: killing and cursing of parents. 23. The law of like pain for a hurt, 28. of an ox striking with his horn.
22. 22The punishment of theft. 5. and other trespasses, 7. if a thing committed to custody or lent doth perish, 16. of deflouring a virgin, 18. of enchanting, bestiality, and idolatry, 21. of hurting strangers, widows, and orphans. 25. The law of lending without usury, 26. of taking pledge, 28. of reverence to superiors, and of paying tithes.
23. 23Laws are appointed to Judges, (the enemies ox or ass to be saved) 8. namely not to take bribes. 10. The seventh year, and day all must rest. 14. Three principal feasts must be solemnized every year. 20. Conduction and protection of an Angel is promised. 24. The people is again commanded to destroy Idols. 29. Why their enemies shall be destroyed by little and little.
24. 24Moyses with others are commanded to ascend, he to the Lord, the rest a far off. 4. They offer Sacrifice. 8. Moyses sprinkleth the blood of the Testament upon the people. 15. Then ascending to the mountain, God covereth it with a fiery cloud.
25. 25Oblations of first fruits, and free-gifts for making the Tabernacle, and things pertaining thereto. 10. The Ark. 17. The Propitiatorie, and Cherubins. 23. A table, and thereon the Loaves of proposition. 31. A candlestick, 37. and seven lamps, with snuffers of gold.
26. 26The form of the Tabernacle, with the appurtenances, and of what matter, number, and qualities all things shall be.
27. 27An Altar must be made with things belonging thereto. 9. Also the court of the tabernacle with hangings and pillars. 20. And provision of oil for lamps.
28. 28God commandeth Moyses to make divers sorts of vestures for Aaron and his sons, prescribing the matter, manner, and ornaments thereof.
29. 29The manner of consecrating Aaron and other Priests: with burnt offerings, 26. and pacifiques, whereof Aaron and his sons shall participate. 38. The institution of the daily Sacrifice of two lambs, one in the morning, the other at even.
30. 30How, and of what matter the Altar of incense shall be made: 11. What money shall be gathered for the use of the Tabernacle. 18. A brasen laver is also to be made, 23. and holy oil of unction.
31. 31Beseleel and Ooliab are deputed by our Lord to make the Tabernacle, and the things belonging thereto. 12. The observation of the sabbath day is again commanded. 18. And our Lord delivereth to Moyses two tables written with the finger of God.
32. 32The people (Aaron consenting) make and adore the image of a calf. 7. Which God revealing to Moyses, 11. he prayeth our Lord, for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob sake to spare the people, and perform his promise. 14. Wherewith God is pacified. 15. Yet Moyses coming from the Mount, and seeing the calf, and idolatry, throweth down the tables and breaketh them, 20. destroyeth the idol, 21. blameth Aaron, 27. causeth many Idolaters to be slain, 31. and again prayeth for the people.
33. 33God's wrath being mitigated by Moyses, the people mourn for their sin. 7. Moyses pitcheth the tabernacle without the camp, and therein converseth familiarly with God, 18. desiring to see his glory.
34. 34Moyses goeth again into Mount Sinai, with new tables, praying for the people: 10. to whom God promiseth to give possession of the Land. 12. Prohibiteth all association with the Gentiles, for fear of Idolatry, 18. giveth precepts concerning the first-born, the Sabbath, and other feasts. 28. After forty days fast, Moyses returneth to the people with the commandments, and his face appearing horned, he covereth it, whensoever he speaketh to the people.
35. 35The precept of the sabbath is yet renewed. 4. First fruits, and other gifts are required, and duly offered, for the making of the tabernacle and other things thereto belonging, which are here recited. 30. Beseleel and Ooliab are appointed workmen for this purpose.
36. 36More being given than was needful, 6. Moyses made to be proclaimed that no more should be offered. 8. So the curtains, 13. rings, 18. buckles, 19. the cover, 20. boards, 21. bars, 35. a veil, 36. pillars, and a hanging are made ready.
37. 37Beseleel maketh the Ark. 6. the Propitiatorie, with Cherubims, 10. the Table, with vessel belonging thereto, 17. the Candlestick with bowls and branches: 23. seven lamps with snuffers, 25. the Altar of incense, 29. and compoundeth the incense.
38. 38The same Beseleel maketh the Altar of Holocaust. 8. the brasen laver. 9. the court with pillars and hangings. 21. The gifts that were offered are recited.
39. 39All the ornaments of Aaron and his sons are made. 31. and the whole work of the Tabernacle is perfited.
40. 40According to Gods commandment Moyses erecteth the Tabernacle, with all things appertaining, the first day of the second year after their deliverie from Egypt. 32. God replenisheth the same with his Majesty, a cloud remaining over it by day, and a pillar of fire by night, but when they shall march, the same passeth before them.