The book of Exodus is the second book of both the Bible and the Torah (Pentateuch). Traditionally, Exodus is believed to have been written by Moses.http://www.mb-soft.com/believe/txs/exodus.htm The date the Book of Exodus was written remains unknown but some Biblical scholars estimate the actual exodus of the Israelites from Egypt occurred around 1446 B.C.http://bible.org/article/introduction-book-exodus It is a foundational book to the beliefs of Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. The name of the book is derived from the Greek word “exodos” which literally means “departure” or “going out”. The title refers to the departure of the Israelites from the land of Egypt.http://www.tldm.org/bible/Old%20Testament/exodus.htmMost Jewish and Christian scholars accept the historicity of the Book of Exodus, however, historians and archeologists have turned up very little corroborating evidence to support the stories contained therein. http://www.bibleandscience.com/archaeology/exodus.htm

The book of Exodus contains stories about the enslavement of Israel, the burning bush, the ten plagues of Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the imparting of the Ten Commandments, and the building of the Tabernacle.http://biblescripture.net/Exodus.html God's personal name, commonly rendered Yahweh or Jehovah (though many Bible translations substitute the word LORD in its place), is mentioned for the first time, Biblically, in chapter three of Exodus.http://www.snydertalk.com/?page_id=2548 The Ark of the Covenant also makes its first appearance in this book. Scriptures from the book of Exodus are cited many times in the New Testament by Jesus and his apostles. Its stories are referenced throughout modern literature and in popular culture. Themes attributed to the book of Exodus include redemption, revelation, patience, and establishing a relationship with a personal God. http://biblescripture.net/Exodus.html

• Yahweh (Jehovah) -- Personal name of the God of the Bible which is rendered as LORD in many Bible translations. He introduced Himself to Moses via a burning bush and directed him to lead the Israelites out of Israel. Later gave the Ten Commandments to Israel establishing a covenant (or contract) with them. Physically manifested Himself after the installation of the Tabernacle.http://www.snydertalk.com/?page_id=2548
• Moses -- First leader of the nation of Israel. Was adopted into the house of the Egyptian Pharaoh. Fled Egypt and became a shepherd. Directed by God to return to Egypt to help free the Israelites. Led the Israelites through the desert to Mount Sinai. Relayed the bulk of God's law to the Israelites as given to him directly by God.http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/moses.html
• Aaron -- Brother to Moses and first high priest of the nation of Israel. Spoke for Moses when dealing with the Pharaoh. Built a golden calf which some worshipped during Moses' sojourn on Mount Sinai.http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/aaron.htm
• Miriam -- Older sister to Moses who led the women of Israel in worship. She participated in the ruse that resulted in Moses being adopted by the Pharaoh’s daughter. After the parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army, she composed a short song that is considered to possibly be the oldest recorded song in written language.http://www.womeninthebible.net/1.7.Miriam.htm
• Pharaoh -- Hardhearted ruler of Egypt responsible for enslaving the the Israelites. His test of will with God resulted in ten plagues being visited upon his people. Was destroyed after pursuing the Israelites into the parted Red Sea. While Biblical experts disagree widely on which Egyptian Pharaoh this was, there is a strong argument that it was actually Amenhotep II.http://allanturner.com/pharaoh.html
• Jethro -- Father-in-law of Moses who took him in as a shepherd after he fled Egypt. Moses stayed with Jethro, a Midianite priest, for forty years and married his daughter, Zipporah. Jethro continued to be a confidante and advisor to Moses during the desert wandering experience.http://www.keyway.ca/htm2003/20030907.htm
• Joshua -- Friend and frequent understudy of Moses. He accompanied Moses in climbing Mount Sinai for an experience with God. Joshua would eventually take over the leadership of Israel after Moses' death.http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/joshua2.htm

• Burning Bush -- God used this medium for his first communication with Moses. Moses noticed the bush was on fire but was not being consumed. God subsequently notified Moses that he was on "holy ground".http://bible.org/seriespage/burning-bush-exodus-31-15
• Ten Plagues of Egypt -- Visited on the Egyptian people after refusing to release the Israelite slaves. In order they were: 1) Nile turning to blood 2) frogs 3) lice 4) flies 5)pestilence 6) boils 7) hailstones 8) crickets 9) Darkness 10) death of firstborn.http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/plagues.htm
• Passover -- A Jewish celebration commemorating how the Angel of Death exempted the obedient Israelites from punishment during the final plague on Egypt. On the Jewish calendar, it falls on the fourteenth day of Nisan.http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/passegyp.htm
• Red Sea -- Its waters were parted for Moses and the Israelites as they fled from the Egyptian army. A body of water with this name does exist in modern times and may be what is referred to in Exodus. Some Biblical scholars believe the Exodus reference was actually to the Sea of Reeds, a lake to the southeast of Egypt which has since dried up.http://bibleatlas.org/red_sea.htm
• Manna -- A flaky sweet substance God provided to sustain the Israelites while wandering in the desert. It fell from the sky during the night and the women would gather it and make cakes from it the next morning. God also sent quail for them to eat and caused water to issue from a rock. http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/manna.htm
• The Ten Commandments -- An expressed set of moral imperatives or standards told directly by God to the Israelites. They formed the foundation of the Mosaic Law. They were written down by God on two stone tablets which were kept in the Ark of the Covenant inside the Tabernacle.http://biblescripture.net/Commandments.html
• Ark of the Covenant -- Also known as the "Mercy Seat", this icon was considered the throne of God on Earth. It was built from acacia wood and overlaid with gold. The top portion had ornamental cherubim while the bottom housed the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments. The Ark was instrumental in worship ceremonies and before battles in reminding the Israelites of their covenant with God.http://www.domini.org/tabern/arkcovnt.htm
• Tabernacle --- A tentlike structure used as a portable temple for the Israelites during the time they were wandering in the desert. It was considered to house the presence of God on Earth. It contained a special compartment, known as the Holy of Holies, which housed the Ark of the Covenant.http://www.domini.org/tabern/tabhome.htm