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Literary structure (chiasm, chiasmus) of Book of Exodus

Chiastic Structure and Concentric Structure and Parallel of each pericope

[1]Introduction  (Exod 1:1-7)
 
 
   List of people who going down to Egypt

[2]Construction of Cities  (Exod 1:8-14)
 
  A(1:8-10)  
Increasing Israel and Pharaoh's hatred   
(ירבה)
    B(1:11)    Israelites were forced to labor
  A'(1:12)  
Increasing Israel and Egyptian hatred   
(ירבה)
    B'(1:13-14)    Israelites were forced to labor
 
   A: Increasing Israel people. B: Forced labor.

[3]Command to Kill Boys  (Exod 1:15-22)
 
  A(1:15-16)  Command to kill boys
    B(1:17)    
The midwives feared God   
(ותיראן)
      C(1:18-19)      Dialogue between Pharaoh and midwives
    B'(1:20-21)    
The midwives feared God   
(יראו)
  A'(1:22)  Command to kill boys
 
   A: Command to kill boys. B: The midwives feared God. C: Dialogue between Pharaoh and midwives.

[4]Birth and Youth of Moses  (Exod 2:1-10)
 
  A(2:1-3)  The mother let the boy go
    B(2:4)    
The sister watched the boy   
(אחתו)
      C(2:5-6)      Pharaoh's daughter picked up the boy
    B'(2:7-8)    
The sister negotiated with Pharaoh's daughter   
(אחתו)
  A'(2:9-10)  The mother therefore took the child
 
   A: The mother and the boy. B: The sister. C: Pharaoh's daughter picked up the boy.

[5]Moses flees to Midian  (Exod 2:11-15)
 
  A(2:11-12)  Hiding that Moses killed Egyptian who struck Israeli people
    B(2:13-14)    Revelation of the murder of Moses
  A'(2:15)  Escaping from Pharaoh who wanted to kill Moses
 
   A: Killing and hiding. B: Revelation of the murder of Moses.

[6]Marriage of Moses  (Exod 2:16-22)
 
  A(2:16-17)  Moses saved the girl
    B(2:18)    Words of the father
      C(2:19)      Words of the girl
    B'(2:20)    Words of the father
  A'(2:21-22)  Moses married with the girl
 
   A: Moses and the girl. B: Words of the father. C: Words of the girl.

[7]The LORD's Mercy for Israel  (Exod 2:23-25)
 
  A(2:23)  
"The Israelites, groaning in their slavery (2:23)"   
(ישׂראל)
    B(2:24)    his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (2:24)
  A'(2:25)  
God saw the Israelites and knew (2:25)   
(ישׂראל)
 
   A: The Israelites. B: The covenant with ancestors.

[8]Moses at the Burning Bush  (Exod 3:1-4:17)
 
  A(3:1-3)  An angel of the LORD
    B(3:4-5)    God called out Moses
      C(3:6)      
"the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob" (3:6)"   
(אברהםיצחקיעקב)
        D(3:7-10)        
"lead them out of that land into a land flowing with milk and honey" (3:8)"   
(חלבודבשׁ)
          E(3:11-12)          "it is I who have sent you" (3:12)
            F(3:13-14)            The name of God
          E'(3:15)          "The God has sent me to you" (3:15)
        D'(3:16-22)        
"lead you up out of the misery of Egypt into the land flowing with milk and honey" (3:17)"   
(חלבודבשׁ)
      C'(4:1-9)      
"the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob" (4:5)"   
(אברהםיצחקיעקב)
    B'(4:10-12)    "you have spoken to your servant" (4:10)
  A'(4:13-17)  Aaron became Moses' spokesman
 
   A: A messenger. B: The call of God. C: God of ancestors. D: To lead them out of that land into a land flowing with milk and honey. E: Dispatch. F: The name of God.

[9]Moses Returns to Egypt  (Exod 4:18-31)
 
  A(4:18)  Words of Moses
    B(4:19)    Commands of the LORD
      C(4:20-23)      "If you refuse to let him go, I warn you, I will kill your son, your first-born" (4:23)
      C'(4:24-26)      "the Lord came upon Moses and would have killed him" (4:24)
    B'(4:27)    Commands of the LORD
  A'(4:28-31)  Words of Moses
 
   A: Words of Moses. B: Commands of the LORD. C: The LORD kills.

[10]Bricks without Straw  (Exod 5:1-23)
 
  A(5:1-2)  Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh
    B(5:3)    
"otherwise he will punish us with pestilence or the sword" (5:3)"   
(בחרב)
      C(5:4-5)      "Off to your labor" (5:4)
        D(5:6-9)        
"You shall no longer supply the people with straw" (5:7)"   
(תבן)
          E(5:10-14)          Persecutions by the taskmasters
        D'(5:15-16)        
"No straw is supplied to your servants" (5:16)"   
(תבן)
      C'(5:17-19)      "Off to work, then!" (5:18)
    B'(5:20-21)    
"you have put a sword in their hands to slay us" (5:21)"   
(חרב)
  A'(5:22-23)  "Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has maltreated this people of yours" (5:23)
 
   A: Going to Pharaoh. B: The swords. C: The labors. D: Pharaoh and the people. E: Persecutions of the taskmasters.

[11]Israel's Deliverance Assured  (Exod 6:1-12)
 
  A(6:1)  
"he will drive them from his land" (6:1)"   
(ישׁלחם)
    B(6:2)    
"I am the LORD" (6:2)"   
(אנייהוה)
      C(6:3-5)      
"Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" (6:3) "my covenant with them, to give them the land" (6:4)"   
(אברהםיצחקיעקב)
        D(6:6)        
"I will free you from the forced labor of the Egyptians" (6:6)"   
(סבלת)
          E(6:7a)          "I will take you as my own people" (6:7)
        D'(6:7b)        
"I free you from the labor of the Egyptians" (6:7)"   
(סבלות)
      C'(6:8a)      
"the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" (6:8)"   
(אברהםיצחקיעקב)
    B'(6:8b)    
"I the LORD" (6:8)"   
(אנייהוה)
  A'(6:9-12)  
"Go and tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave his land" (6:11)"   
(וישׁלח)
 
   A: Israelites leave from Pharaoh's land. B: I am the LORD. C: The ancestors. D: To free you from the forced labor. E: I will take you as my own people.

[12]The Genealogy of Moses and Aaron  (Exod 6:13-27)
 
  A(6:13)  
"to bring the Israelites out of Egypt" (6:13)"   
(להוציא)
    B(6:14-25)    Genealogy of Levi
  A'(6:26-27)  
"Lead the Israelites from the land of Egypt" (6:26)"   
(הוציאו)
 
   A: The command of salvation. B: Genealogy of Levi.

[13]Moses and Aaron obey Commands of God   (Exod 6:28-7:7)
 
  A(6:28-29)  
"Repeat to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, all that I tell you" (6:29)"   
(דבר)
    B(6:30)    
"how can it be that Pharaoh will listen to me?" (6:30)"   
(ישׁמע)
      C(7:1-2)      "Aaron your brother shall act as your prophet" (7:1)
    B'(7:3-5)    
"he will not listen to you" (7:4)"   
(ישׁמע)
  A'(7:6-7)  
"they spoke to Pharaoh" (7:7)"   
(בדברם)
 
   A: Speaking to Pharaoh. B: Pharaoh didn't listen to them. C: Aaron.

[14]Ten Miracles  (Exod 7:8-10:29)
 
  A(7:8-13)  Rod: "If Pharaoh demands that you work a sign or wonder" (7:9)
    B(7:14-24)    River: "This is how you shall know that I am the LORD" (7:17)
      C(7:25-8:11)      Frog: Pharaoh had promised to let them go unconditionally but he changed his mind
        D(8:12-15)        Gnat: The magicians failed to bring forth gnats
          E(8:16-28)          Fly: "I will make an exception of the land of Goshen" (8:18)
          E'(9:1-7)          Pestilence: "the LORD will distinguish between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt" (9:4)
        D'(9:8-12)        Festering: "The magicians could not stand in Moses' presence" (9:11)
      C'(9:13-35)      Hail: Pharaoh had promised to let them go unconditionally but he changed his mind
    B'(10:1-20)    Locust: "so that you may know that I am the LORD" (10:2)
  A'(10:21-29)  Darkness: "you do not appear before me again!" (10:28)
 
   A: Demand to make a miracle, demand to get out. B: You may know that I am the LORD. C: Withdraw of the promise. D: Mismanagement of the magician. E: the LORD will distinguish.

[15]Warning of the Final Plague  (Exod 11:1-10)
 
  A(11:1-2)  Words of God, "One more plague will I bring" (11:1)
    B(11:3-8)    Words of Moses, prophecy about the last plague
  A'(11:9-10)  Words of God, "my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt" (11:9)
 
   A: Words of God. B: Words of Moses.

[16]The First Passover Instituted  (Exod 12:1-28)
 
  A(12:1-11)  Instruction about the lamb in the Passover
    B(12:12-13)    The Passover
      C(12:14-20)      Regulations about the ritual of Passover
  A'(12:21-22)  Instruction about the lamb in the Passover
    B'(12:23)    The Passover
      C'(12:24-28)      Instruction about teaching regulations about the ritual of Passover
 
   A: The lamb in the Passover. B: The Passover. C: Regulations about the ritual of Passover.

[17]The Tenth Plague  (Exod 12:29-32)
 
  A(12:29)  "the LORD slew every first-born" (12:29)
    B(12:30a)    "Pharaoh arose in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians" (12:30)
  A'(12:30b)  "there was not a house without its dead" (12:30)
    B'(12:31-32)    During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron (12:31)
 
   A: Death. B: Response of Pharaoh.

[18]The Exodus  (Exod 12:33-41)
 
  A(12:33-36)  
"took their dough before it was leavened" (12:34)"   
(חמץ)
    B(12:37)    The Israelites set out
  A'(12:38-39)  
"the dough they had brought out of Egypt was not leavened" (12:39)"   
(חמץ)
    B'(12:40-41)    "all the hosts of the LORD left the land of Egypt" (12:41)
 
   A: Not leavened. B: Departure.

Exod 12:33-36
  A(12:33)  "The Egyptians urged the people on to hasten their departure" (12:33)
    B(12:34)    Israel accepted what Egyptian had demanded
  A'(12:35)  "they asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing" (12:35)
    B'(12:36)    Egyptian accepted what Israel had demanded

Exod 12:37-41
  A(12:37-38)  The Israelites set out
    B(12:39)    "the dough they had brought out of Egypt was not leavened" (12:39)
  A'(12:40-41)  "all the hosts of the LORD left the land of Egypt" (12:41)

[19]Directions for the Passover  (Exod 12:42-51)
 
  A(12:42)  
"God led them out of the land of Egypt" (12:42)"   
(להוציאם)
    B(12:43-45)    Regulation about people who can join the Passover
      C(12:46-47)      Regulation about the dinner of Passover
    B'(12:48-50)    Regulation about people who can join the Passover
  A'(12:51)  
"the LORD brought the Israelites out of Egypt" (12:51)"   
(הוציא)
 
   A: The LORD brought the Israelites out of Egypt. B: Regulation about people who can join the Passover. C: Regulation about the dinner of Passover.

[20]The Consecration of the First-born  (Exod 13:1-2)
 
 
   Regulation about consecration of first-born

[21]The Festival of Unleavened Bread  (Exod 13:3-10)
 
  A(13:3)  
"It was with a strong hand that the LORD brought you away" (13:3)"   
(בחזקיד)
    B(13:4-5)    "it is in this month that you must celebrate this rite" (13:5)
      C(13:6)      
"For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread" (13:6)"   
(שׁבעת)
      C'(13:7)      
"Only unleavened bread may be eaten during the seven days" (13:7)"   
(שׁבעת)
    B'(13:8)    "On this day you shall explain to your son" (13:8)
  A'(13:9-10)  
"because with a strong hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt" (13:9)"   
(בידחזקה)
 
   A: The strong hand of the LORD. B: Ritual and tradition. C: Seven days, unleavened bread.

Exod 13:3-16
  A(13:3-4)  "Remember this day" (13:3)
    B(13:5-7)    Regulation about unleavened bread
      C(13:8)      Teaching to a child
        D(13:9)        "It shall be as a sign on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead" (13:9)
  A'(13:10)  "you shall keep this prescribed rite at its appointed time from year to year" (13:10)
    B'(13:11-13)    Regulation about first-born
      C'(13:14-15)      Teaching to a child
        D'(13:16)        "Let this, then, be as a sign on your hand and as a pendant on your forehead" (13:16)

[22]The Consecration of the First-born  (Exod 13:11-16)
 
  A(13:11-12)  
"the male firstlings of your animals" (13:12)"   
(בהמה)
    B(13:13)    
"Every first-born son you must redeem" (13:13)"   
(בחור)
      C(13:14)      
"With a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt" (13:14)"   
(בחזקיד)
  A'(13:15a)  
"first-born of man and of beast" (13:15)"   
(בהמב)
    B'(13:15b)    
"I redeem every first-born of my sons" (13:15)"   
(בחור)
      C'(13:16)      
"with a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt" (13:16)"   
(בחזקיד)
 
   A: Firstlings of animals. B: First-born son. C: With a strong hand the LORD.

[23]The Pillars of Cloud and Fire  (Exod 13:17-22)
 
  A(13:17)  
"God did not lead them by way of the Philistines' land" (13:17)"   
(נחם)
    B(13:18)    
"he rerouted them toward the Red Sea by way of the desert road" (13:18)"   
(המדבר)
      C(13:19)      Joseph's bones
    B'(13:20)    
"they camped at Etham near the edge of the desert" (13:20)"   
(המדבר)
  A'(13:21-22)  
"The LORD preceded them, in the daytime by means of a column of cloud" (13:21)"   
(לנחתם)
 
   A: The LORD led. B: The desert road. C: Joseph's bones.

[24]Crossing the Red Sea  (Exod 14:1-18)
 
  A(14:1-4)  
"Thus will I make Pharaoh so obstinate that he will pursue them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army" (14:4)"   
(וחזקתי)
    B(14:5-7)    Pharaoh's regret
      C(14:8-9)      The Egyptians caught up Israel
    B'(14:10-14)    Israel's regret
  A'(14:15-18)  
"I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army" (14:17)"   
(מחזק)
 
   A: Obstinate. B: Regression. C: The Egyptians caught up Israel.

[25]The Pursuers Drowned  (Exod 14:19-31)
 
  A(14:19-21)  the water was divided (14:21)
    B(14:22)    
"the Israelites marched into the midst of the sea on dry land, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left" (14:22)"   
(ביבשׁה)
      C(14:23)      
"all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and charioteers went after them right into the midst of the sea" (14:23)"   
(רחבו)
        D(14:24-25)        "the LORD was fighting for them" (14:25)
          E(14:26)          Words of the LORD
        D'(14:27)        "the LORD hurled them into its midst" (14:27)
      C'(14:28)      
"it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh's whole army which had followed the Israelites into the sea" (14:28)"   
(הרחב)
    B'(14:29)    
"the Israelites had marched on dry land through the midst of the sea, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left" (14:29)"   
(ביבשׁה)
  A'(14:30-31)  "beheld the great power that the LORD had shown against the Egyptians" (14:31)
 
   A: The miracle. B: The Israelites had marched on dry land through the midst of the sea. C: Pharaoh's chariots and charioteers. D: The LORD fights with Egyptian army. E: Words of the LORD.

[26]The Song of Moses  (Exod 15:1-19)
 
  A(15:1)  the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea (15:1)
    B(15:2-3)    The praise to the LORD
      C(15:4-5)      they went down into the depths like a stone (15:5)
        D(15:6-10)        Your right hand
          E(15:11)          Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? (15:11)
        D'(15:12-15)        Your right hand
      C'(15:16)      they are still as a stone (15:16)
    B'(15:17-18)    The praise to the LORD
  A'(15:19)  the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea (15:19)
 
   A: Thrown into the sea. B: The praise to the LORD. C: Like a stone. D: The right hand. E: Who is like you?
(This structure was analyzed by the help of Mr. Aaron Bishop. Thanks to Mr. Aaron Bishop.)

[27]The Song of Miriam  (Exod 15:20-21)
 
 
   The songs of Miriam

[28]Bitter Water Made Sweet  (Exod 15:22-27)
 
  A(15:22-24)  the desert without finding water (15:22)
    B(15:25)    
The LORD gave rules and regulations   
(חק)
    B'(15:26)    
if you heed his commandments and keep all his precepts (15:26)   
(חקיו)
  A'(15:27)  "there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees" (15:27)
 
   A: No water, plenty of water. B: Rules.

[29]Bread from Heaven  (Exod 16:1-36)
 
  A(16:1-3)  Israel demanded food
    B(16:4-5)    
"On the sixth day it be twice" (16:5)"   
(השׁשׁי)
      C(16:6-7)      
"At evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt; and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD" (16:6-7)"   
(ערבובקר)
        D(16:8)        
"the LORD gives you flesh to eat in the evening and in the morning your fill of bread" (16:8)"   
(בשׂרלאחל)
          E(16:9-10)          "the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud" (16:10)
        D'(16:11-12)        
"In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread" (16:12)"   
(תעכלובשׂר)
      C'(16:13-21)      
"In the evening quail came up and covered the camp. In the morning a dew lay all about the camp" (16:13)"   
(בערבובבקר)
    B'(16:22-30)    
"On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food" (16:22)"   
(השׁשׁי)
  A'(16:31-36)  "The Israelites ate this manna for forty years" (16:35)
 
   A: Starving, food was given. B: Twice on the sixth day. C: In the morning and evening. D: The flesh and the bread. E: The glory of the LORD.

[30]Water from the Rock  (Exod 17:1-7)
 
  A(17:1-2)  
Quarrel and test   
(וירב)
    B(17:3)    People's thirst for water
      C(17:4)      "What shall I do with this people?" (17:4)
    B'(17:5-6)    "the water will flow from it for the people to drink" (17:6)
  A'(17:7)  
Massah and Meribah   
(ריב)
 
   A: Quarrel and test. B: Thirst and water. C: What shall I do with this people?

[31]Amalek Attacks Israel and Is Defeated  (Exod 17:8-16)
 
  A(17:8-9)  "Amalek came and waged war against Israel" (17:8)
    B(17:10a)    Joshua battled with Amalek
      C(17:10b)      
"Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur" (17:10)"   
(אהרןוחור)
        D(17:11)        "As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight" (17:11)
      C'(17:12)      
"Aaron and Hur supported Moses' hands" (17:12)"   
(ואהרןוחור)
    B'(17:13)    Joshua struck Amalek
  A'(17:14-16)  "the LORD will war against Amalek" (17:16)
 
   A: Commands to Joshua. B: Battles of Joshua. C: Aaron and Hur. D: Hands of Moses.

[32]Jethro's Advice  (Exod 18:7-27)
 
  A(18:1-3a)  Visit of Jethro
    B(18:3b-4)    Naming by Moses
      C(18:5-7)      Jethro brought the wife and children of Moses
        D(18:8)        Moses told the salvation of God
          E(18:9-11)          Jethro's blessing
            F(18:12)            The meal before God
          E'(18:13-14)          Question of Jethro
        D'(18:15-16)        Explanation of Moses
      C'(18:17-23)      Jethro's advice
    B'(18:24-26)    Moses did the plan of Jethro
  A'(18:27)  Departure of Jethro
 
   A: Visit and return of Jethro. B: Behaviors of Moses. C: Help of Jethro. D: Explanation of Moses. E: Evaluation of Jethro. F: The meal before God.

[33]The Israelites Reach Mount Sinai  (Exod 19:1-9)
 
P(19:1-2)
  A(19:3-4)  
"You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians" (19:4)"   
(עשיתי)
    B(19:5-6)    
"if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant" (19:5)"   
(שמוע)
  A'(19:7-8)  
"Everything the LORD has said, we will do" (19:8)"   
(נעשה)
    B'(19:9)    
"when the people hear me speaking with you, they may always have faith in you also" (19:9)"   
(ישמע)
 
   A: Doing. B: Listening.

[34]The LORD Comes Down upon Mount Sinai  (Exod 19:10-19)
 
  A(19:10-11)  
"the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai" (19:11)"   
(סיני)
    B(19:12-13)    "Only when the ram's horn resounds may they go up to the mountain" (19:13)
      C(19:14-15)      "Be ready for the third day" (19:15)
    B'(19:16-17)    "a very loud trumpet blast" (19:16)
  A'(19:18-19)  
"the LORD came down upon it in fire" (19:18)"   
(סיני)
 
   A: The LORD will come down on Mount Sinai. B: A horn. C: Preparation.

Exod 19:10-13
  A(19:10-11a)  "be ready for the third day" (19:11)
    B(19:11b)    "the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai" (19:11)
  A'(19:12-13b)  "Set limits for the people all around the mountain" (19:12)
    B'(19:13c)    "Only when the ram's horn resounds may they go up to the mountain" (19:13)

Exod 19:16-19
  A  "On the morning of the third day there were peals of thunder and lightning, and a heavy cloud over the mountain" (19:16)
    B    "and a very loud trumpet blast" (19:16)
      C      "so that all the people in the camp trembled" (19:16)
        D        "Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke" (19:18)
          E          "for the LORD came down upon it in fire" (19:18)
        D'        "The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace" (19:18)
      C'      "and the whole mountain trembled violently" (19:18)
    B'    "The trumpet blast grew louder and louder" (19:19)
  A'  "while Moses was speaking and God answering him with thunder" (19:19)

[35]Moses goes up to Mount Sinai  (Exod 19:20-25)
 
  A(19:20)  Moses climbed up
    B(19:21-22)    
"otherwise many of them will be struck down" (19:21)"   
(יהרסו)
      C(19:23)      "The people cannot go up to Mount Sinai" (19:23)
    B'(19:24)    
"else he will vent his anger upon them" (19:24)"   
(יהרסו)
  A'(19:25)  Moses went down
 
   A: Climbing up and down of Moses. B: So as not to be struck by the LORD. C: The people cannot go up to Mount Sinai.

[36]The Ten Commandments  (Exod 20:1-21)
 
  A(20:1-17)  The Ten Commandments
    B(20:18-19)    "You speak to us, and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we shall die" (20:19)
  A'(20:20)  "God has come to you only to test you and put his fear upon you, lest you should sin" (20:20)
    B'(20:21)    "Still the people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the cloud where God was." (20:21)
 
   A: In order not to commit a sin. B: The people remained at a distance.

[37]The Book of the Covenant  (Exod 20:22-23:33)
 
  A(20:22-26)  Prohibition of idolatry
    B(21:1-11)    Liberation in seventh year
      C(21:12-22:16)      Criminal law (murder, injury and theft)
        D(22:17-19)        Laws about consecration
          E(22:20-26)          Protection of the weak
        D'(22:27-30)        Laws about consecration
      C'(23:1-9)      Criminal law (perjury)
    B'(23:10-19)    Liberation in seventh year
  A'(23:20-33)  Prohibition of idolatry
 
   A: Prohibition of idolatry. B: Liberation in seventh year. C: Criminal law. D: Laws about consecration. E: Protection of the weak.

[38]The Blood of the Covenant  (Exod 24:1-18)
 
  A(24:1-2)  
"you and Aaron, with Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel" (24:1)"   
(אהרןנדב)
    B(24:3-8)    "Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people" (24:7)
  A'(24:9-11)  
"Moses then went up with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel" (24:9)"   
(ואהרןנדב)
    B(24:12-18)    "the stone tablets on which I have written the commandments intended" (24:12)
 
   A: The elders of Israel. B: Teaching the commandments.

Exod 24:3-8
  A(24:3)  "We will do everything that the LORD has told us" (24:3)
    B(24:4-5)    "Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD" (24:4)
  A'(24:6-8)  "All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do" (24:7)

Exod 24:12-18
  A(24:12-13)  "Come up to me on the mountain" (24:12)
    B(24:14)    "Wait here for us until we return to you" (24:14)
  A'(24:15-18)  "he went up on the mountain" (24:18)

[39]The Command to Make the Tabernacle  (Exod 25:1-31:11)
 
  A(25:1-9)  They shall make a sanctuary for me (25:8)
    B(25:10-27:19)     "Making the Tabernacle and other appurtenances"
      C(27:20-21)      
" "This shall be a perpetual ordinance for the Israelites throughout their generations" (27:21)"   
(חקתעולם)
        D(28:1-43)         " lest they incur guilt and die" (28:43)
          E(29:1-37)          
Thus also shall you purge the altar in making atonement for it (29:36)   
(החפרים)
            F(29:38-46)             "I will dwell in the midst of the Israelites and will be their God" (29:45)
          E'(30:1-10)          
" "Once a year Aaron shall perform the atonement rite on its horns" (30:10)"   
(החפרים)
        D'(30:11-16)        so that no plague may come upon them for being registered (30:12)
      C'(30:17-21)      
This shall be a perpetual ordinance for him and his descendants throughout their generations (30:21)   
(חקעולם)
    B'(30:22-38)    Consecration of the Tabernacle and other appurtenances
  A'(31:1-11)  All these things they shall make just as I have commanded you (31:11)
 
   A: Command to make. B: The Tabernacle and other appurtenances. C: A perpetual ordinance throughout their generations. D: In order to avoid disasters. E: The atonement. F: I will be their God.

[40]Sabbath Regulations  (Exod 31:12-18)
 
  A(31:12-13)  
"that is to be the token between you and me throughout the generations" (31:13)"   
(אות)
    B(31:14)    
"he must be rooted out of his people" (31:14)"   
(מות)
      C(31:15a)      "the seventh day is the sabbath of complete rest, sacred to the LORD" (31:15)
    B'(31:15b)    
"Anyone who does work on the sabbath day shall be put to death" (31:15)"   
(מות)
  A'(31:16-18)  
"Between me and the Israelites it is to be an everlasting token" (31:17)"   
(אות)
 
   A: The sign. B: Death penalty. C: The sabbath of complete rest, sacred to the LORD.

[41]The Golden Calf  (Exod 32:1-33:6)
 
  A(32:1-6)  "take off the golden earrings they are wearing" (32:2)
    B(32:7-14)    "Moses implored the LORD" (32:11)
      C(32:15-18)      "That sounds like a battle in the camp" (32:17)
        D(32:19-24)        Breaking the golden calf
      C'(32:25-29)      "there fell about three thousand of the people" (32:28)
    B'(32:30-35)    Moses wished to make atonement for sin of Israel
  A'(33:1-6)  "Take off your ornaments" (33:5)
 
   A: Taking off ornaments. B: Wish for forgiveness. C: A war. D: Breaking the golden calf.

[42]The Tent Outside the Camp  (Exod 33:7-11)
 
  A(33:7)  
"Anyone who wished to consult the LORD would go to this meeting tent outside the camp" (33:7)"   
(למחנה)
    B(33:8)    
"the people would all rise and stand at the entrance of their own tents" (33:8)"   
(יקומו)
      C(33:9)      "the LORD spoke with Moses" (33:9)
    B'(33:10)    
"all the people would rise and worship at the entrance of their own tents" (33:10)"   
(וקם)
  A'(33:11)  
"Moses would then return to the camp" (33:11)"   
(המחנה)
 
   A: Going out the camp, returning to the camp. B: The people would all rise. C: The LORD spoke with Moses.

[43]The LORD goes with Israelites  (Exod 33:12-17)
 
  A(33:12-13)  Wish of Moses
    B(33:14)    Acceptance of God
  A'(33:15-16)  Wish of Moses
    B'(33:17)    Acceptance of God
 
   A: Wish of Moses. B: Acceptance of God.

[44]The Glory of God  (Exod 33:18-23)
 
  A(33:18-19)  The glory; Passing
    B(33:20)    "my face you cannot see" (33:20)
  A'(33:21-22)  The glory passed
    B'(33:23)    "you may see my back; but my face is not to be seen" (33:23)
 
   A: Glory. B: The face you cannot see.

[45]The Covenant Renewed  (Exod 34:1-28)
 
P(34:1-9)I may write on them the commandments which were on the former tablets that you broke (34:1)
  A(34:10-17)  "You shall not worship any other god" (34:14)
    B(34:18a)    "You shall keep the feast of Unleavened Bread" (34:18)
      C(34:18b-18c)      "you are to eat unleavened bread" (34:18)
        D(34:19-20c)        "The first-born among your sons you shall redeem" (34:20)
          E(34:20d)          "No one shall appear before me empty-handed" (34:20)
  A'(34:21)  "on the seventh day you shall rest" (34:21)
    B'(34:22a)    "You shall keep the feast of Weeks" (34:22)
      C'(34:22b)      "the feast at the fruit harvest at the close of the year" (34:22)
        D'(34:23-24)        "Three times a year all your men shall appear before the Lord" (34:23)
          E'(34:25-26)          Regulations about offerings
P'(34:27-28)he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments (Ex34:28)
 
   P: The tablets of the covenant. A: Worship for God. B: A festival. C: A festival. D: Men. E: Offerings.

[46]The shining face of Moses  (Exod 34:29-35)
 
  A(34:29-30)  
"the skin of his face had become radiant" (34:29)"   
(עור)
    B(34:31-32)    "he enjoined on them all that the LORD had told him on Mount Sinai" (34:32)
  A'(34:33-35)  
"the skin of Moses' face was radiant" (34:35)"   
(עור)
 
   A: The radiant face. B: Moses enjoined on them all that the LORD had told.

[47]Preparation for Constructing the Tabernacle  (Exod 35:1-39:43)
 
  A(35:1-3)  
On six days work may be done (35:2)   
(תעשׁה)
    B(35:4-19)    Preparations for Making the Tabernacle
      C(35:20-29)      Offerings from whole Israel
        D(35:30-36:7)        
Bezalel and Oholiab   
(בצלאל)
          E(36:8-38)          Making sheets for the Tabernacle
            F(37:1-9)            Four gold rings were cast and put on its four supports (37:3)
              G(37:10-16)              It was plated with pure gold, and a molding of gold was put around it (37:11)
                H(37:17-24)                Making The Lampstand
              G'(37:25-29)              its horns were plated with pure gold; and a molding of gold was put around it (37:26)
            F'(38:1-8)            Four rings were cast for the four corners of the bronze grating, as holders for the poles (38:5)
          E'(38:9-20)          Making sheets for the court
        D'(38:21-31)        
Bezalel and Oholiab   
(ובצלאל)
      C'(39:1-31)      Memorial stones of the sons of Israel
    B'(39:32-41)    The Work Completed
  A'(39:42-43)  
The Israelites had carried out all the work just as the LORD had commanded Moses (39:42)   
(עשׁו)
 
   A: Labor. B: Beginning and end of making the tabernacle. C: Israelites. D: Bezalel and Oholiab. E: Sheets. F: Four rings. G: Being plated with pure gold. H: Making The Lampstand.



Although this central part may seem to be inappropriate for general theology (The ark of the covenant is most important), the literary correspondings indicate that the center is the lamp shade with seven branches. The lamp shade would be so-called the "menorah".

The central parts are below:
37:1-9 Making the ark of the covenant
  37:10-16 Making the table for the Bread of the presence
    37:17-24 Making the lamp shade
  37:25-29 Making the altar and anointing oil of incense
38:1-8 Making the altar of burnt offering

The correspondings indicate the relationships between "the ark of the covenant" and "the altar of burnt offering". The author might consider that those have similar meaning about the sacrifice and the covenant."

[48]Construction of the Tabernacle  (Exod 40:1-33)
 
  A(40:1-2)  "you shall erect the Dwelling of the meeting tent" (40:2)
    B(40:3-5)    The ark, altar and other appurtenances
      C(40:6-15)      Consecration
        D(40:16)        "Moses did exactly as the LORD had commanded him" (40:16)
  A'(40:17-19)  "the Dwelling was erected" (40:17)
    B'(40:20-28)    The ark, altar and other appurtenances
      C'(40:29-33a)      Consecration
        D'(40:33b)        "Moses finished all the work" (40:33)
 
   A: The tabernacle. B: Appurtenances. C: Consecration. D: Moses did the works.

[49]The Cloud and the Glory  (Exod 40:34-38)
 
  A(40:34-35)  "the cloud settled down upon it" (40:35)
    B(40:36)    
"the Israelites would set out on their journey" (40:36)"   
(מסעיהם)
  A'(40:37)  "if the cloud did not lift" (40:37)
    B'(40:38)    
"the whole house of Israel in all the stages of their journey" (40:38)"   
(מסעיהם)
 
   A: The cloud. B: The journey.


Citations of the Bible are from New American Bible, New Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible.

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Literary Structure of the Bible by Hajime Murai is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Caution: The copyright of the cited Bible verses belongs to each translator and publisher.

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