Alienation is a recurring theme: those who suffered under the Nazis experience various degrees of alienation, from quiet torment to insanity.

Tolerance is another significant theme that is thoroughly explored. For both individuals and communities, tolerance fosters harmony and peace, whereas intolerance leads to division and conflict.

Freedom plays a pivotal role in Exodus, where characters pursue different forms of liberation with varying levels of intensity. The novel intertwines themes of personal and political freedom to some degree.

History emerges as a central theme in Uris's work as he offers context for significant events, such as the United Nations' decision on the partitioning of Palestine.

Exodus explores the theme of the artist's role in society. The novel highlights various writers' responses to prejudice. It mentions Shakespeare's Othello (c.1604), Zola's involvement in the Dreyfus affair, and Tolstoy's opposition to anti-Semitic actions. Collectively, these references suggest the artist's enduring and appropriate engagement with social concerns throughout history.

The novel's themes are closely tied to the historical context and conditions surrounding Israeli independence. The characters' actions in the present are influenced by their past experiences and their aspirations for the future. The central themes of "Exodus" are encapsulated in the heartfelt plea of the protagonist, Ari Ben Canaan, who is committed to the struggle for Israeli independence: "God! God! Why don't they let us alone! Why don't they let us live!"

Central to the narrative is the fervent drive of the Jewish people to forge a homeland where dignity and freedom flourish. This endeavor is not merely a backdrop; it serves as the novel's core, with all other motifs converging upon this indomitable conviction. The story unfolds as an epic, chronicling the monumental efforts to establish a nation, replete with the valor and scope befitting such a saga.

The tale stretches across a vast chronology, encompassing the two thousand years from the Jewish diaspora to the pivotal year of 1949. It was during this year that Israel was not only established but secured its right to exist through fierce conflict. Interwoven with the political and cultural struggle is a religious undertone, emphasizing the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. This element underscores a spiritual dimension to the battle for nationhood, infusing the narrative with a sense of divine purpose.

Moreover, the revival of the Hebrew language emerges as a powerful symbol of historical continuity. It embodies the hope and resilience of a people who have endured centuries of adversity. Through the reclamation of their language, the Jews reinforce their cultural identity, breathing new life into traditions long preserved across the diaspora. Thus, the novel paints a vivid tableau of a people's unwavering determination to reclaim and sustain their heritage, even in the face of formidable challenges.

The narrative structure employs principal characters as dynamic conduits, unraveling the historical tapestry of the Jewish people across Europe and the Middle East. This storytelling method ensures the plot remains vibrant and engaging, albeit with a tendency towards an abundance of exposition and detail. Within this framework, complex themes such as justice and injustice, cruelty and kindness, callousness and compassion, alongside revenge and pardon, are intricately interwoven. These themes not only define the actions and decisions of individual characters but also serve as powerful motifs that propel the expansive historical narrative forward, creating a multi-layered and compelling story.