Exodus 1-18, by George W. Coats, is Volume IIA of THE FORMS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT LITERATURE, a series that aims to present a form-critical analysis of every book and each unit in the Hebrew Bible. Fundamentally exegetical,the FOTL volumes examine the structure, genre, setting, and intention of the biblical literature in question.They also study the history behind the form-critical discussion of the material, attempt to bring consistency tothe terminology for the genres and formulas of the biblical literature, and expose the exegetical process soas to enable students and pastors to engage in their own analysis and interpretation of the Old Testament texts.

More than twenty-five years in preparation, this present study provides a form-critical analysis of the first eighteen chapters of the book of Exodus. Dividing his discussion between the Exodus and Moses traditions and the wilderness traditions, Coats examines each unit of the text of Exodus in turn, showing how the units' internal structures reveal the genre and social setting in which the book was written and what that setting and genre mean for proper interpretation. Illuminating to scholars and students alike, this volume will open up a new perspective on this important section of Scripture.