The Exodus from Egypt

The exact location of many of the places mentioned in the story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, including the location of Mount Sinai itself, is often debated. Most scholars, however, favor the traditional location of Mount Sinai at Jebel Musa and a route similar to what is shown here. The eastern border of Egypt was guarded by a series of canals and walls, and as the Israelites fled from the Egyptians, they became trapped behind a sea that was too deep to cross on foot (Exodus 13:17 - 14:20). The Lord miraculously parted the sea, allowing the Israelites to cross before the sea crashed back down upon the pursuing Egyptians (Exodus 14:21-31). The Lord then led the Israelites to Mount Sinai, and the Israelites defeated the Amalekites at Rephidim shortly before reaching the mountain (Exodus 15-17). About three months after the Israelites left Egypt they arrived at Mount Sinai (19:1-2). There the Lord gave Moses the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:1-22) and other laws and established a covenant with the Israelites (Exodus 24). About one year after the Israelites left Egypt, they left Sinai and headed for Kadesh-barnea in the Wilderness of Paran, just south of the Promised Land of Canaan (Numbers 10:11 - 12:16).