The patriarchs (Hebrew: ‫ אבות‬Avot or Abot, singular Hebrew: ‫ אב‬Ab or Aramaic: ‫ אבא‬Abba) of

the Bible, when narrowly defined, are Abraham, his son Isaac, and Isaac's son Jacob, also named
Israel, the ancestor of the Israelites. These three figures are referred to collectively as the
patriarchs of Judaism, and the period in which they lived is known as the patriarchal age. They
play significant roles in Hebrew scripture during and following their lifetimes. They are used as a
significant marker by God in revelations[1] and promises,[2] and continue to play important roles
in the Abrahamic faiths.

The story begins in Egypt with the persecution of newborn Hebrew males, and Ptira's, the
Pharaoh's daughter, discovery of the infant Moses on the Nile. Moses' youth at the Pharaoh's
court ends abruptly when he is forced to flee, after he kills an Egyptian overseer to save his
brother Aaron. During his years of exile, Moses meets his future wife Zipporah and her father
Jethro. After Moses and Zipporah's wedding, the vision of God in the Burning Bush occurs,
commanding Moses to return to Egypt with Zipporah and his brother Aaron. There, Moses and
Aaron confront the Pharaoh, demanding that he free the Israelites. Only after the tenth plague -
the killing of the Egyptian firstborn - does the Pharaoh allow them to depart. With the crossing
of the Red Sea and God's destruction of the Egyptian army ends the first part of the story. The
second part begins with the discontent of the famished Israelites with Moses. The mood changes
when God nourishes Israelites with the sudden, welcome gift of manna and quails in the desert.
On the slopes of Mount Sinai, God and the people of Israel enter into a Covenant, which is
sealed by Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on the mountaintop. Upon his return to the
camp, however, Moses is shocked to discover that the people of Israel have lost their faith in
God and are now worshipping an idol: the Golden Calf. In rage, Moses smashes the tablets and
severely punishes the idolizers before retreating to the mountaintop and receiving the new
tablets. On the way to the Promised Land, Moses' sister, Miriam, jealous of Moses' wife
Zipporah, rebels against her brother's leadership. God punishes her and makes it quite clear that
Moses is the chosen leader and will remain so. Finally on the borders of the Promised Land, the
Israelites send out twelve scouts. Their fearful description of the Canaanites when they return
shocks the people of Israel into rebelling against Moses and Aaron, intending to kill them and
return immediately to Egypt. God quickly punishes the rebels, and tells Moses that none of the
adult Israelites he has led will ever see the Promised Land, and instead must wander through the
desert for another 40 years. Exactly forty years later, Miriam dies. Although Moses wants to
mourn the loss of his sister, the people only complain to him about the lack of water. At God's
command, Moses strikes a rock and water flows from it, but he is so angry and frustrated with
his people that he forgets to attribute the miracle to God, and he too is condemned to never
enter the Promised Land. Moses appoints Joshua as his successor and sets off alone to the peak
of Mount Nebo. As a final mark of his forgiveness and thankfulness, God grants Moses the
chance to look over into the Promised Land just before his death. Finally, now under the
leadership of Joshua, the Israelites cross the Jordan river into the Promised Land.
“I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any strange gods before Me.” ...

“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” ...

“Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.” ...

“Honor thy father and mother.” ...

“Thou shalt not kill.” ...

“Thou shalt not commit adultery.”

“Thou shalt not steal.”

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.”

“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.”