Die vorpriesterliche Darstellung in Ex 11,1–13,16*

Abstract

The pre-Priestly account in Ex 11,1–13,16* consists of two layers. 11,8b; 12,21–23.27b.29a.30aα (to »on that night«).31aα* (without »and Aaron«).b.32.33.37.38b belong to the original layer. It is the continuation of 10,24–26.28f. After Yahweh had not achieved the release of the Israelites through the plagues of the pollution of the Nile (7,14ff.*), the frogs (7,26ff.*), the gnats (8,16ff.*) and the locusts (10,1a.3ff.*), a new section begins with 12,21–23.27b. In these instructions for the Passover Moses announces that Yahweh will now take action directly against the Egyptians. This corresponds to the announcement by Moses at 14,13f. in the oldest literary account of the deliverance at the sea. The author of the original layer in Ex 11f.* is also responsible for the version of the call of Moses in which Moses was entrusted with a message for the elders of Israel (3,16f.*) and the account of its delivery in 4,29*.31b. – Already before the composition of the Priestly Work the original layer was amplified by a reviser who added 11,1.4.5a.6–8a; 12,30* (from »and all his servants«).34.39; 13,3aα.b.4 in the exilic period. According to him Moses also announced the final plague to Pharaoh, and the Israelites were expelled from Egypt. By inserting 12,34.39 he prepared for the instructions of Moses in 13,3aα.b.4, which prohibited in future the eating of anything leavened on the anniversary of the Exodus in the month of Abib. Contrary to a theory which has recently been put forward in various forms (C. Levin; J. C. Gertz), the earliest literary account in Ex 3–14* did contain a narrative of the Egyptian plagues.