Shemot “Names”
The second book from the scroll of the Torah and the first portion therein is entitled Shemot. Shemot means “names.” The English-speaking world call this book Exodus. The Hebrew title for the book comes from the opening phrase of the book: “Now these are the names (shemot) of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob” (Exodus 1:1).
The English name Exodus comes from the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. The Greek title for the Book is Exodos Aiguptou, which translates as “Departure from Egypt.” The name Exodus is an abbreviated form of that title. Exodos means “departure.”
The book of Exodus tells us the story of the children of Israel enslaved in Egypt and their miraculous redemption through the hand of Moses, the story of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, the construction of the golden calf, and the construction of the Tabernacle.
As we enter into the first reading from the book of Exodus, we find the children of Israel in slavery. It seems that the God of their forefathers has forgotten them. But God has not forgotten His promises. He remembers His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and brings a redeemer to their children’s children, for the sake of His name, with love.
Exodus 1:1-6:1 Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23 Hebrews 11:1-39
From FFOZ Unrolling the Scroll
FFOZ.org