Jesse, a Hebrew slave, and Jennat, a half-Egyptian, half-Syrian servant girl, both serve the Egyptians, but they live in vastly different worlds. Though Jennat serves a wealthy mistress, Memnet, she is content to share in the glitter of Egyptian life and idol worship. But Jesse's life is filled with cruelty inflicted upon him by Egyptian task-masters. Jesse's father believes only in survival and will stop at nothing to gain favors from the rich and powerful. His mother, however, believes that God will someday rescue His people and guide them to their own land.

When Jesse and Jennat work together in Memnet's household, their worlds collide, and they are attracted to each other despite their differences. Soon both of them are embroiled in one of history's greatest adventures: the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their subsequent wanderings in the wilderness.