Q&A Home > E > Holy Book of Exodus

• "Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver and jewels of gold." (Exodus 11:2). Why did God command the Israelites to ask for gold and silver although He knew they will wonder in the wilderness for 40 years and precious metals are of no use in the wilderness, especially since they used that gold later to make an idol to worship? Was it not more beneficial for the Israelites to ask for objects made of iron and brass, etc.?
• I have questions about Exodus, Chapter 21, Verses 22-25. Did the Fathers comment on this passage, where it mentions if a pregnant women giving birth prematurely because of someone else and the baby is harmed, and the same thing that is done to the baby is to be done to the man, even life for life, does this show that in God's eyes the life of an unborn baby is equal to a full-grown man?  It seems to be yet another scriptural reference against abortion. Also, the English translations differ somewhat on this passage. What are we to make of it?
• In the Book of Exodus, God described to Moses how to build the Tabernacle and also described where to place it in the midst of the camp, as the Levites surrounded it in four sections and likewise the twelve tribes also camped around it into four sections. However, in chapter 33:7, the Bible says, "Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting." Is the tent described in this verse the same Tabernacle that God described earlier in the chapter? If yes, why did Moses place it outside the camp instead of in the center?
• What is a source that explains icons? I am Orthodox, but this question come from one of the members of the church because he saw a verse in Exodus 20:1–7.