The Bible as Literature: Exodus 1-34

In this class we will read Exodus 1-34 as a magnificent piece of literature. We will pay particular attention to Moses’ life in Egypt, his encounter with the God “Yahweh,” the derivation and meaning of the name “Yahweh,” the 10 commandments and the meaning of “covenant,” the relationship between Moses and Aaron, and the second set of commandments. We will consider the so-called “Song of Miriam” as perhaps one of the oldest pieces of writing in Jewish culture. We will also consider how much of Exodus 1-34 could be a reasonably accurate account of what actually happened and give some attention to the place of the book of Exodus in the entire Jewish and Christian Bibles.