Exodus Chapter Summaries: All 40 Chapters Explained Simply

Exodus is the great rescue story of the Old Testament. It begins with God's people crying out as slaves in Egypt and ends with the glory of God filling a tent in the middle of their camp. In between come the burning bush, the ten plagues, the first Passover, the parting of the Red Sea and the Ten Commandments.

These short summaries walk you through all 40 chapters, each with one key verse to remember. Use them before you read, to review afterward, or to find a story quickly. Quotations are from the King James Version. If you're starting at the beginning, read our Genesis chapter summaries first — Exodus picks up right where Genesis ends.

Jump to chapter: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 32 · 33 · 34 · 35 · 36 · 37 · 38 · 39 · 40

Book of Exodus at a glance

Exodus chapter outline

Exodus 1–4: Slavery in Egypt and the call of Moses

Jacob's family has grown into a nation, but a new Pharaoh turns them into slaves. God raises up Moses, saves him as a baby, and calls him at the burning bush to lead His people out.

Exodus 1

Jacob's descendants multiply in Egypt. A new Pharaoh who did not know Joseph fears them, makes them slaves and orders Hebrew baby boys to be killed. The midwives Shiphrah and Puah fear God and refuse.

Key verse: “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew.” (1:12)

Exodus 2

Moses' mother hides him in a basket on the Nile, and Pharaoh's daughter adopts him. As a grown man, Moses kills an Egyptian who is beating a Hebrew and flees to Midian, where he marries Zipporah. God hears Israel's cry.

Key verse: “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” (2:24)

Exodus 3

God speaks to Moses from a bush that burns but is not consumed. He sends Moses to bring Israel out of Egypt and reveals His name: I AM THAT I AM.

Key verse: “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM.” (3:14)

Exodus 4

Moses makes excuses, so God gives him signs — a staff that becomes a snake and a hand made leprous and healed — and appoints his brother Aaron to speak for him. Moses returns to Egypt.

Key verse: “Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” (4:12)

Exodus 5–11: Moses, Pharaoh and the ten plagues

Moses asks Pharaoh to let Israel go, and Pharaoh refuses again and again. God sends plagues on Egypt to show that He alone is the LORD.

Exodus 5

Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh to let Israel go to worship. Pharaoh refuses and makes the slaves gather their own straw for bricks. The Israelites blame Moses, and Moses cries out to God.

Key verse: “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go?” (5:2)

Exodus 6

God reassures Moses with seven “I will” promises: to free, rescue, redeem and take Israel as His people. The chapter lists the family line of Moses and Aaron.

Key verse: “And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God.” (6:7)

Exodus 7

Aaron's staff becomes a serpent and swallows the magicians' staffs. In the first plague, the Nile turns to blood, but Pharaoh's heart stays hard.

Key verse: “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” (7:5)

Exodus 8

Plagues two, three and four: frogs, lice and flies. Pharaoh promises to let the people go, then changes his mind each time. God protects the land of Goshen, where Israel lives.

Key verse: “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” (8:1)

Exodus 9

Plagues five, six and seven: disease on livestock, boils, and the worst hail Egypt has ever seen. Some Egyptians now fear the LORD's word, but Pharaoh still refuses.

Key verse: “And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.” (9:16)

Exodus 10

Plagues eight and nine: locusts strip the land, then thick darkness covers Egypt for three days — yet Israel has light. Pharaoh angrily sends Moses away.

Key verse: “But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.” (10:23)

Exodus 11

God announces the tenth and final plague: the death of every firstborn in Egypt. Moses warns Pharaoh and leaves in great anger.

Key verse: “That ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.” (11:7)

Exodus 12–15: The Passover and the Red Sea

The final plague brings freedom. Israel eats the first Passover, leaves Egypt, and crosses the Red Sea on dry ground.

Exodus 12

God institutes the Passover. Each family kills a lamb and puts its blood on the doorposts, and the LORD passes over them. At midnight Egypt's firstborn die, and Pharaoh finally lets Israel go after 430 years.

Key verse: “And when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” (12:13)

Exodus 13

The firstborn are set apart to the LORD, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is established. God leads His people by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

Key verse: “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light.” (13:21)

Exodus 14

Pharaoh changes his mind and chases Israel with his army. Trapped at the sea, the people panic. God parts the Red Sea, Israel crosses on dry ground, and the waters return over the Egyptian army.

Key verse: “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (14:14)

Exodus 15

Moses and Israel sing a song of victory, and Miriam leads the women in dancing. Three days later, at Marah, God makes bitter water sweet and calls Himself the LORD who heals.

Key verse: “The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation.” (15:2)

Exodus 16–18: The journey to Mount Sinai

In the wilderness, God feeds His people with manna, gives them water from a rock and protects them from enemies, even when they complain.

Exodus 16

The people grumble for food, and God sends quail in the evening and manna each morning. They gather just enough for each day and twice as much before the Sabbath.

Key verse: “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you.” (16:4)

Exodus 17

At Rephidim, God gives water from a rock when Moses strikes it. Israel defeats the Amalekites while Aaron and Hur hold up Moses' tired hands.

Key verse: “And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi.” (17:15)

Exodus 18

Moses' father-in-law Jethro visits, praises God, and advises Moses to share the work of judging the people with capable leaders.

Key verse: “Thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.” (18:18)

Exodus 19–24: The covenant and the Ten Commandments

At Mount Sinai, God makes a covenant with Israel, speaks the Ten Commandments, gives laws for daily life, and the people promise to obey.

Exodus 19

Israel camps at Mount Sinai. God offers to make them His treasured people, a kingdom of priests. The mountain shakes with thunder, fire and smoke as the LORD descends.

Key verse: “Ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people.” (19:5)

Exodus 20

God speaks the Ten Commandments to all Israel. The terrified people ask Moses to speak to God for them. God gives instructions for a simple altar.

Key verse: “I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (20:2–3)

Exodus 21

Laws about servants, violence and injuries, including the principle of fair, limited justice, “eye for eye.”

Key verse: “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” (21:24)

Exodus 22

Laws about property, theft and responsibility, and commands to protect the vulnerable: strangers, widows, orphans and the poor.

Key verse: “Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.” (22:22)

Exodus 23

Laws for honest courts and kindness even to enemies, the Sabbath year and three yearly feasts. God promises an angel to guard Israel on the way to the promised land.

Key verse: “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way.” (23:20)

Exodus 24

The covenant is confirmed with sacrifice and blood. Moses, Aaron and the elders see a vision of God, then Moses goes up the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Key verse: “All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.” (24:7)

Exodus 25–31: Instructions for the tabernacle

God gives Moses detailed plans for the tabernacle, a portable tent where He will live among His people, and for the priests who will serve there.

Exodus 25

God asks for willing offerings to build a sanctuary. He gives plans for the ark of the covenant, the table for bread and the golden lampstand.

Key verse: “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” (25:8)

Exodus 26

Instructions for the tabernacle's curtains, coverings and frames, and the veil that separates the holy place from the most holy place.

Key verse: “And the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.” (26:33)

Exodus 27

Instructions for the bronze altar of sacrifice, the outer courtyard, and pure olive oil to keep the lamp burning.

Key verse: “Pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.” (27:20)

Exodus 28

Garments for Aaron and the priests: the ephod, the breastplate with twelve stones for the twelve tribes, the robe and a gold plate engraved with words of holiness.

Key verse: “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” (28:36)

Exodus 29

A seven-day ceremony to set apart Aaron and his sons as priests, and the daily morning and evening offerings.

Key verse: “And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.” (29:45)

Exodus 30

Instructions for the altar of incense, the census offering, the bronze basin for washing, and the holy anointing oil and incense.

Key verse: “And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning.” (30:7)

Exodus 31

God fills Bezaleel and Aholiab with skill to build the tabernacle. The Sabbath is a sign of the covenant, and God gives Moses the two stone tablets.

Key verse: “And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.” (31:3)

Exodus 32–34: The golden calf and a second chance

While Moses is on the mountain, the people make a golden calf. Moses intercedes, God shows His mercy and glory, and the covenant is renewed.

Exodus 32

The people make a golden calf and worship it. Moses pleads with God for them, breaks the tablets in anger, and calls the faithful to stand with the LORD.

Key verse: “Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me.” (32:26)

Exodus 33

God says He will not go with the stubborn people, but Moses intercedes and God promises His presence. Moses asks to see God's glory and is hidden in a rock as it passes by.

Key verse: “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” (33:14)

Exodus 34

God makes new tablets and proclaims His name and character to Moses. The covenant is renewed, and Moses' face shines after speaking with God.

Key verse: “The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” (34:6)

Exodus 35–40: Building the tabernacle

The people give generously, skilled workers build everything exactly as God commanded, and the glory of the LORD fills the finished tabernacle.

Exodus 35

Moses repeats the Sabbath command and asks for offerings. Men and women bring gifts with willing hearts, and Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed to lead the work.

Key verse: “And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing.” (35:21)

Exodus 36

The people bring so much that Moses has to tell them to stop giving. The workers make the curtains, frames and veil.

Key verse: “For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.” (36:7)

Exodus 37

Bezaleel makes the ark, the mercy seat with its cherubim, the table, the lampstand and the altar of incense.

Key verse: “And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood.” (37:1)

Exodus 38

The bronze altar, the washing basin and the courtyard are made, followed by an inventory of the gold, silver and bronze used.

Key verse: “This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony.” (38:21)

Exodus 39

The priestly garments are made. Moses inspects all the finished work, sees it was done exactly as God commanded, and blesses the people.

Key verse: “And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded.” (39:43)

Exodus 40

On the first day of the second year, Moses sets up the tabernacle. The cloud covers it, and the glory of the LORD fills it, guiding Israel on every stage of the journey.

Key verse: “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (40:34)

The ten plagues of Egypt in order

The plagues were judgments “against all the gods of Egypt” (Exodus 12:12). Egyptians worshiped the Nile, the sun and many animal gods, and each plague showed that the LORD alone controls creation.

Main themes of Exodus

• God hears and remembers. He sees His people's suffering and keeps His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (2:24).
• Redemption. God rescues Israel from slavery by His power and by the blood of the Passover lamb.
• Knowing the LORD. Again and again God acts so that Israel and Egypt “shall know that I am the LORD” (6:7; 7:5).
• Covenant and law. God's rescue comes first; His commandments show His freed people how to live.
• God's presence. The book ends with God living among His people in the tabernacle (40:34).
• Grace after failure. Even after the golden calf, God reveals Himself as “merciful and gracious” (34:6).

Where Exodus points to Jesus

For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.1 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory…) full of grace and truth.John 1:14 (KJV)

How to study Exodus

1. Read Genesis 37–50 first. Joseph's story explains how Jacob's family came to Egypt.
2. Read the story chapters steadily. Chapters 1–20 and 32–34 move fast; aim for three or four chapters a day.
3. Slow down for the tabernacle. Chapters 25–31 and 35–40 repeat each other. Read 25–31 carefully, then skim 35–40, noticing how exactly Israel obeyed.
4. Read it in order of events. Our chronological Bible reading plan places Exodus right after Genesis.

See where Exodus fits among the 66 books of the Bible, or check the number of chapters and verses in every book.

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