Exodus 15:22-31:18

Behind the Text

Date of Exodus and wilderness wonderings

Sources in the narrative

The main Priestly blocks in chs. 15:22-31:18 are thought to be the 10 commandments, 20:1-17, and the instructions for the Tabernacle, chs. 25-31

Wilderness traditions outside the Torah: On the one hand: Hos 2:16-17; Jer 2:2; on the other Ps 78:11-42; 95:8-11; 106:13-32; Ezek 20:10-26.

Numbers 33 offers an itinerary of the wilderness wanderings

Outline

Part 2: Sinai and Covenant, Exod 15:22-24:18.

a) An inauspicious journey, murmurings, Exod 15:22-18:27.

b) Revelation and (the book of the) covenant at Sinai, Exod 19:1-24:18

Part 3: Sanctuary, Sin and Covenant Renewal, Exod 25:1-40:34.

a) Directions for worship in and the construction of the tabernacle, Exod 25-31.

An Inauspicious Journey

1) Marah: Bitter Waters, Exod 15:22-27.

“complaint” v. 24 (cf. 16:2, 7-8, 12; 17:3)

“test” v. 25

“if” v. 26

2) Mannah: What is it? — Food! Exod 16:1-36.

“your complaint is against the LORD,” v. 7

a lesson in keeping the Sabbath

an appendix, vv. 31-36

The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus An Appendix on the Manna (16:31–36)

Medieval Jewish commentators recognized that verses 32–34 tell of events that took place later on. It was already well established in rabbinic times that the order of the pentatechal narratives does not necessarily conform to chronological sequence. This observation was formulated in two ways: “There is no early and late in the Torah” (ʾein mukdam u-meʾuḥar ba-torah); and “The pericopes of the Torah were not given in order” (loʾ nitnu parshiyoteiha shel torah ʿal ha-seder).

3) Massah and Meribah: Water from the Rock, Exod 17:1-7.

The coincidence of “waters of Meribah” in Num 20:1-13, at a different location, led to the tradition of the “rock that followed them” (1 Cor 10:1-4)

4) Amalek Exod 17:8-16 (cf. Deut 25:17-19)

The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus The Battle with Amalek (17:8–16)

Another interpretation, highly plausible, is that of Rashbam, according to which Moses held up a standard bearing some conspicuous symbol that signified the presence of God in the Israelite camp. The name that Moses gave to the altar after the battle lends support to this explanation. Standards emblazoned with religious insignia are known to have been in military use in the ancient Near East.

A rabbinic comment on this verse reads as follows: “Did the hands of Moses control the course of war? [No! The text] teaches that as long as the Israelites set their sights on High and subjected themselves to their Father in Heaven, they prevailed; otherwise they failed.”

The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus The Battle with Amalek (17:8–16)

In later Jewish literature, Amalek became a synonym for the implacable enemies of Israel. Haman “the Agagite” was identified with Amalek; Josephus made him a descendant of Amalek.24 Rome, too, was given the code-name Amalek.

In Front of the Text

Each of the above four episodes offered fodder for allegorical readings or Christological readings. The wood of Meribah could be the Torah or the Cross of Christ; the Mannah became identified with Christ and so, too, the rock the followed the Israelites in the wilderness. Finally, the manner of the defeat of the Amalekites was an obvious invitation for a Christological reading.

5) Jethro, Exod 18:1-12, 13-27.

Another narrative likely out of order (cf. Num 10:11, 29-32; Deut 1:9-17). What features of the narrative seem chronologically ill-placed? Why might the text be placed here if it is out of order? (cf. 1 Sam 15:6, Kenites/Midianites)

Revelation at Sinai and the Book of the Covenant, Exod 19-24

1) Arrival at Sinai and Announcement/Charter for the Nation, Exod 19:1-9.

Key text: Exod 19:4-6. Cf. Ps 114:1-2; Amos 3:2

The people’s response (before any command is given): v. 8

Moses certified as mediator: v. 9; cf. Exod 3:12

2) The Consecration of the People, Exod 19:10-20:21.

Consecration: holiness, vv. 10-15

“Moses brought the people…to meet God”, v. 17

Theophany: three zones, the summit, the mountain, the base, as in the soon to be constructed tabernacle, Exod 26:33; 27:9-19

The people’s response, 20:18-20

3) The Ten Commandments, Exod 20:1-17 (cf. Deut 5:1-22)

Heb. “the ten words”

Central division of?

Difference of Deut?

4) Images and Altars, Exod 20:22-26

5) The Book of the Covenant, Exod 21-23; cf. Code of Hammurabi, et al.

Case law:

Concerning slaves, male and female, Exod 21:2-11; cf. Deut 15:12-18.

Three capital offenses, Exod 21:12-17.

Bodily injury to and by persons, (lex talionis) Exod 21:18-27.

The goring ox and damage to livestock, Exod 21:28-36.

Laws of restitution, Exod 22:1-17.

Categorical commands, social and religious, Exod 22:18-23:19.

“The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me,” Exod 22:29.

The conquest of Canaan, Exod 23:20-33

6) The Blood of the Covenant, Exod 24:1-8.

In front of the text: cf. Mark 14:24 par.

7) On the Mountain with God, Exod 24:9-15.

This section prepares for and anticipates much of what follows in the remainder of Exodus

Instructions for the Construction and Worship of the Tabernacle, Exod 25-31.

Chs. 35-40 narrate the construction of the tabernacle

“that I might dwell (sh-k-n) among them,” Exod 25:8; 29:45-46.

“tabernacle” mishkan, “dwelling place” aka “tent of meeting” (an older iteration?)

“The pattern of the tabernacle,” Exod 25:9, 40; 27:8

Bezalel and Oholiab, Exod 31:1-11.

The Sabbath Law, Exod 31:12-17.

“the LORD spoke to Moses,” x7 Exod 25:1; 30:11, 17, 22, 34; 31:1, 12

The two tablets of the covenant, Exod 31:18