(The Lord speaking is red text)
Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
Dan, Naftali, Gad and Asher.
Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher.
Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
Dan{H1835}, and Naphtali{H5321}, Gad{H1410}, and Asher{H836}.
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Providence and Fulfillment of Promises:** The mention of the tribes of Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher in Exodus 1:4 reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to the patriarchs that their descendants would multiply and become a great nation.
- **Israelite Proliferation:** The verse emphasizes the theme of the rapid growth of the Israelite population in Egypt, which sets the stage for the subsequent oppression by the Pharaoh who did not know Joseph.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Israelites in Egypt:** The Israelites, descendants of Jacob (also known as Israel), had settled in Egypt during a famine, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. Joseph, Jacob's son, had risen to a position of power in Egypt and had invited his family to live there.
- **Transition of Power:** The verse occurs after the death of Joseph and his generation. A new Pharaoh comes to power who does not have the same relationship with the Israelites as the previous rulers did, leading to a change in their status in Egypt.
- **Pre-Oppression Era:** This verse is set at the beginning of the Book of Exodus, before the oppressive measures taken by the Egyptians against the Hebrews. It serves as a demarcation line between the period of favor and growth experienced by the Israelites and the impending hardships they will face.
- **The Tribes:** Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher are four of the twelve tribes of Israel, each named after a son of Jacob. Their mention here does not necessarily indicate a focus on these particular tribes but rather serves to represent the entire nation of Israel residing in Egypt at the time.
In summary, Exodus 1:4 is a transitional verse that highlights the theme of God's providential care for His people, their growth in number, and the shift in political climate in Egypt that will lead to the central narrative of the Israelites' enslavement and eventual redemption.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)