The Bible, King James version, Book 2: Exodus — Reading Notes

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In Category - Theology

Authors: Anonymous Digital Source: Project Gutenberg Gutenberg Release Year: 2005 First Publication Year: Not confirmed

Key Word: Bible. Exodus Target Reader: Readers of public-domain and historical texts

Book Edition: Project Gutenberg digital edition Book Language: en

Edition facts

Words 35,861

Reading time 156 min

Text sections 5

Before opening The Bible, King James version, Book 2: Exodus — Reading Notes, the edition data offers a quick orientation: 35,861 words, 2 hr 36 min estimated reading time, and 5 detected text sections.

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Project Gutenberg metadata also associates the work with “Bible. Exodus,” connecting these edition facts with the source record’s subject description.

Source: Project Gutenberg record #8002

An editorial note on the King James Version of Exodus, focusing on its narrative voice, shifts in pace from legal codes to dramatic action, and the recurring phrase 'with rigour' as a marker of oppression.

Editorial Edition Score 4.6/5

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Description quality20 pts
Title & short description10 pts
Source metadata20 pts
Text length15 pts
Chapters / structure15 pts
EPUB file integrity20 pts

Total of 100 points, scaled to a 2.5-5.0 range. Editions with an empty description or a missing EPUB file are not scored.

Edition quality

File: pg8002

Read the Text

Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.

02:006:021 And the sons of Izhar; Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.

02:006:022 And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri.

02:006:023 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

02:006:024 And the sons of Korah; Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these are the families of the Korhites.

02:006:025 And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bare him Phinehas: these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families.

02:006:026 These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom the LORD said, Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.

02:006:027 These are they which spake to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt: these are that Moses and Aaron.

02:006:028 And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt,

02:006:029 That the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I am the LORD: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee.

02:006:030 And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?

02:007:001 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

02:007:002 Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.

02:007:003 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.

02:007:004 But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

02:007:005 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

02:007:006 And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.

02:007:007 And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.

02:007:008 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

02:007:009 When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.

02:007:010 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

02:007:011 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

02:007:012 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

02:007:013 And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

02:007:014 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.

02:007:015 Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.

02:007:016 And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.

02:007:017 Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.

02:007:018 And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.

02:007:019 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.

02:007:020 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.

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The King James Version of Exodus opens with a stark shift in fortune: the Israelites, once welcomed in Egypt, are now subjected to 'hard bondage, in morter, and in brick.' The phrase 'with rigour' appears twice in the first chapter, hammering home the oppressive conditions. This repetition is characteristic of the KJV's rhythmic, emphatic style, which often uses parallel structures to reinforce key themes.

The narrative voice moves between terse historical summary—'And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation'—and vivid, almost legalistic detail, as in the midwives' exchange with Pharaoh. This blend of compression and expansion creates a distinctive pacing that rewards close attention.

Repetition and Rhythm in the Opening Chapters

The first chapter of Exodus establishes a pattern of repetition that runs throughout the book. The phrase 'the children of Israel' is used repeatedly, emphasizing collective identity. The description of their multiplication—'fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty'—piles up synonyms in a way that feels both liturgical and urgent. This is not merely decorative; it mirrors the narrative's own swelling tension as the oppression intensifies.

Pharaoh's command to the midwives is given in direct speech, but the midwives' response is reported indirectly, creating a subtle shift in narrative distance. The result is a scene that feels both immediate and formal, a hallmark of the KJV's voice.

Pacing: From Legal Codes to Dramatic Action

Exodus is famous for its dramatic set pieces—the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea—but these are preceded by long stretches of legal and ritual instruction. The shift in pace is abrupt. After the covenant ceremony in chapter 24, where the people declare 'All the words which the LORD hath said will we do,' the narrative slows to a crawl with detailed instructions for the tabernacle. This juxtaposition of high drama and meticulous regulation gives the book a distinctive rhythm.

Readers may find the legal sections challenging, but they are essential to understanding the narrative's structure. The laws are presented as direct divine speech, often introduced with 'And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,' a formula that recurs dozens of times. This repetition creates a sense of order and authority, contrasting with the chaos of the plagues.

The Voice of Divine Command and Human Response

Throughout Exodus, the narrative voice alternates between God's direct commands and the people's responses. The phrase 'And Moses told the people all the words of the LORD' appears multiple times, underscoring the role of Moses as mediator. The people's replies are often collective and unanimous: 'All the people answered with one voice.' This pattern gives the book a dialogic quality, even when the human voice is reduced to simple assent.

Notably, the midwives in chapter 1 are an exception: they act independently and deceive Pharaoh, and the narrator notes that 'God dealt well with the midwives.' This brief episode stands out for its focus on individual agency within a largely collective narrative.

The King James Version of Exodus rewards readers who attend to its verbal patterns and shifts in pace. The repetition of key phrases—'with rigour,' 'all the words of the LORD,' 'the children of Israel'—creates a texture that is both poetic and doctrinal. Pay attention to how the narrative compresses time in genealogies and expands it in legal codes; this variation is central to the book's effect. The voice is never neutral: it is always shaping a story of covenant and liberation.

That afternoon, the rain kept time against the window as I sat with the Exodus notes, the phrase "with rigour" sticking in my throat like a stone. It made me wonder what laws actually do to a people over decades. The pages led me, almost without my choosing, to its quieter sibling, The Bible, King James version, Book 5: Deuteronomy — Context and Discussion, where the same stern voice softens into something almost like a sigh.

Ava Anderson

3 weeks ago

4 out of 5 (1 User reviews )

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Kathryn Gutierrez - 1 month ago

While the King James Version is classic, this edition of Exodus suffers from a lack of helpful features. The archaic language can be a barrier, and without any footnotes or modern language aids, it's tough to grasp the full meaning. Additionally, the formatting is plain, which doesn't enhance the reading experience. If you're not already familiar with the Bible, you'll likely find this challenging. There are better study editions available.

Terri Bowen - 1 month ago

The Book of Exodus is essential reading, and this digital version is convenient. The text is accurately reproduced, and the narrative remains compelling. However, I found the lack of notes or explanations a bit limiting. As a modern reader, I would have appreciated some historical or cultural context to fully understand the laws and customs described. Still, it's a solid, no-frills edition for those who just want the text.

Thomas Jensen - 4 weeks ago

This edition of Exodus is a powerful and moving experience. The language of the King James Version is majestic, and the stories of Moses, the plagues, and the parting of the Red Sea come alive. It's more than just a religious text; it's a foundational piece of literature that has shaped Western culture. I found myself deeply absorbed in the narrative and the laws given to the Israelites. Highly recommended for believers and scholars alike.