Exodus 1
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Commentaries
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These are the names - Though this book is a continuation or the book of Genesis, with which probably it was in former times conjoined, Moses thought it necessary to introduce it with an account of the names and number of the family of Jacob when they came to Egypt, to show that though they were then very few, yet in a short time, under the especial blessing of God, they had multiplied exceedingly; and thus the promise to Abraham had been literally fulfilled. See the notes on Genesis 46 (note).
Open source ↗Exodus 1:1 INCREASE OF THE ISRAELITES. (Exo. 1:1-22) Now these are the names--(See Gen. 46:8-26).
Open source ↗Now these are the names of the children of Israel which came down into Egypt,.... Of the twelve patriarchs, the sons of Jacob, who were heads of the twelve tribes, whose names are here given; since the historian is about to give an account of their coming out of Egypt, and that it might be observed how greatly they increased in it, and how exactly the promise to Abraham, of the multiplication of his seed, was fulfilled: or, "and these are the names" (b), &c. this book being connected with the former by the copulative "and"; and when this was wrote, it is highly probable there was no division of the books made, but the history proceeded in one continued account: every man and his household came with Jacob; into Egypt, all excepting Joseph, and along with them their families, wives, children, and servants; though wives and servants are not reckoned into the number of the seventy, only such as came out of Jacob's loins: the Targum of Jonathan is,"a man with the men of his house,''as if only male children were meant, the sons of Jacob and his grandsons; and Aben Ezra observes, that women were never reckoned in Scripture as of the household or family; but certainly Dinah, and Serah, as they came into Egypt with Jacob, are reckoned among the seventy that came with him thither, Gen 46:15. (b) "et haec", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius.
Open source ↗To place the multiplication of the children of Israel into a strong nation in its true light, as the commencement of the realization of the promises of God, the number of the souls that went down with Jacob to Egypt is repeated from Gen 46:27 (on the number 70, in which Jacob is included, see the notes on this passage); and the repetition of the names of the twelve sons of Jacob serves to give to the history which follows a character of completeness within itself. "With Jacob they came, every one and his house," i.e., his sons, together with their families, their wives, and their children. The sons are arranged according to their mothers, as in Gen 35:23-26, and the sons of the two maid-servants stand last. Joseph, indeed, is not placed in the list, but brought into special prominence by the words, "for Joseph was in Egypt" (Exo 1:5), since he did not go down to Egypt along with the house of Jacob, and occupied an exalted position in relation to them there.
Open source ↗In these verses we have, 1. A recital of the names of the twelve patriarchs, as they are called, Act 7:8. Their names are often repeated in scripture, that they may not sound uncouth to us, as other hard names, but that, by their occurring so frequently, they may become familiar to us; and to show how precious God's spiritual Israel are to him, and how much he delights in them. The account which was kept of the number of Jacob's family, when they went down into Egypt; they were in all seventy souls (Exo 1:5). according to the computation we had, Gen 46:27. This was just the number of the nations by which the earth was peopled, according to the account given, Gen. 10. For when the Most High separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel, as Moses observes, Deu 32:8. Notice is here taken of this that their increase in Egypt might appear the more wonderful. Note, It is good for those whose latter end greatly increases often to remember how small their beginning was, Job 8:7. 3. The death of Joseph, Exo 1:6. All that generation by degrees wore off. Perhaps all Jacob's sons died much about the same time; for there was not more than seven years' difference in age between the eldest and the youngest of them, except Benjamin; and, when death comes into a family, sometimes it makes a full end in a little time. When Joseph, the stay of the family, died, the rest went off apace. Note, We must look upon ourselves and our brethren, and all we converse with, as dying and hastening out of the world. This generation passeth away, as that did which went before. 4. The strange increase of Israel in Egypt, Exo 1:7. Here are four words used to express it: They were fruitful, and increased abundantly, like fishes or insects, so…
Open source ↗1:1-22 The need for deliverance was obviously related to the Israelites’ condition (the Egyptians worked the people of Israel without mercy, 1:13); it also was related to promises God had made to the patriarchs years earlier. The Lord had promised Abraham that his descendants would be a great nation, living in freedom in the land of Canaan. At this point, Abraham’s descendants were slaves in Egypt under a pharaoh determined to decimate them as a people. God would have to rescue the people if his promises were to be kept. 1:1 Israel is the name God had given to Jacob, son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham (Gen 32:28). • Many years earlier, Jacob and his family had moved to Egypt, seeking refuge from severe drought (see Gen 46:1-7). Thanks to Joseph’s wisdom and leadership (see Gen 41:25-49), a steady grain supply had been stored (see Gen 42:1-2; 45:5-7).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch
Open source ↗רְאוּבֵן (Rᵉʼûwbên, H7205) — Reuben, a son of Jacob שִׁמְעוֹן (Shimʻôwn, H8095) — Shimon, one of Jacob's sons, also the tribe descended from him לֵוִי (Lêvîy, H3878) — Levi, a son of Jacob יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗יִשָּׂשכָר (Yissâˢkâr, H3485) — Jissaskar, a son of Jacob זְבוּלוּן (Zᵉbûwlûwn, H2074) — Zebulon, a son of Jacob; also his territory and tribe בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Open source ↗דָּן (Dân, H1835) — Dan, one of the sons of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory;… נַפְתָּלִי (Naphtâlîy, H5321) — Naphtali, a son of Jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory גָּד (Gâd, H1410) — Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet אָשֵׁר (ʼÂshêr, H836) — happy; Asher, a son of Jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory; also…
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… יָרֵךְ (yârêk, H3409) — the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts;… יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch שִׁבְעִים (shibʻîym, H7657) — seventy יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
Open source ↗יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity פָּרָה (pârâh, H6509) — to bear fruit (literally or figuratively) שָׁרַץ (shârats, H8317) — to wriggle, i.e. (by implication) swarm or abound רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… עָצַם (ʻâtsam, H6105) — to bind fast, i.e. close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) חָדָשׁ (châdâsh, H2319) — new מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עָצוּם (ʻâtsûwm, H6099) — powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous
Open source ↗יָהַב (yâhab, H3051) — to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come חָכַם (châkam, H2449) — to be wise (in mind, word or act) רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7122) — to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) הוּא (hûwʼ, H1931) — he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self,… יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… מַס (maç, H4522) — properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e. a tax in the form of forced labor שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various… סְבָלָה (çᵉbâlâh, H5450) — porterage בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings מִסְכְּנָה (miçkᵉnâh, H4543) — a magazine עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… פִּתֹם (Pithôm, H6619) — Pithom, a place in Egypt רַעְמְסֵס (Raʻmᵉçêç, H7486) — Rameses or Raamses, a place in Egypt
Open source ↗עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various… כֵּן (kên, H3651) — properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or… רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) פָּרַץ (pârats, H6555) — to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative) קוּץ (qûwts, H6973) — to be (causatively, make) disgusted or anxious פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity פֶּרֶךְ (perek, H6531) — fracture, i.e. severity
Open source ↗מָרַר (mârar, H4843) — to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… קָשֶׁה (qâsheh, H7186) — severe (in various applications) עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind חֹמֶר (chômer, H2563) — properly, a bubbling up, i.e. of water, a wave; of earth, mire or clay (cement); also a… לְבֵנָה (lᵉbênâh, H3843) — a brick (from the whiteness of the clay) שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. פֶּרֶךְ (perek, H6531) — fracture, i.e. severity
Open source ↗Cross-references
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