TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on Exodus 1 verses 1–7
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 that they multiplied; and, being generally healthful and strong, they waxed exceedingly mighty, so that they began almost to outnumber the natives, for the land was in all places filled with them, at least Goshen, their own allotment. Observe, (1.) Though, no doubt, they increased considerably before, yet, it should seem, it was not till after the death of Joseph that it began to be taken notice of as extraordinary. Thus, when they lost the benefit of his protection, God made their numbers their defence, and they became better able than they had been to shift for themselves. If God continue our friends and relations to us while we most need them, and remove them when they can be better spared, let us own that he is wise, and not complain that he is hard upon us. After the death of Christ, our Joseph, his gospel Israel began most remarkably to increase: and his death had an influence upon it; it was like the sowing of a corn of wheat, which, if it die, bringeth forth much fruit, Joh 12:24. (2.) This wonderful increase was the fulfillment of the promise long before made unto the fathers. From the call of Abraham, when God first told him he would make of him a great nation, to the deliverance of his seed out of Egypt, it was 430 years, during the first 215 of which they were increased but to seventy, but, in the latter half, those seventy multiplied to 600,000 fighting men. Note, [1.] Sometimes God's providences may seem for a great while to thwart his promises, and to go counter to them, that his people's faith may be tried, and his own power the more magnified. [2.] Though the performance of God's promises is sometimes slow, yet it is always sure; at the end it shall speak, and not lie, Hab 2:3.
The Second Book of Moses is called EXODUS, from the Greek word EXODOS, which signifies going out: because it contains the history of the going out of the children of Israel out of Egypt. The Hebrews, from the words with which it begins, call it VEELLE SEMOTH: These are the names. It contains transactions for 145 years; that is, from the death of Joseph to the erecting of the tabernacle.
Continue studying Exodus 1:1 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Exodus 1:1 serves as a crucial narrative bridge, seamlessly connecting the patriarchal history of Genesis with the unfolding national saga of Israel's oppression and deliverance in the Book of Exodus. This verse re-establishes the historical continuity by reintroducing the specific descendants of Jacob, now collectively identified as 'the children of Israel,' who had migrated into Egypt as a unified family unit. It sets the foundational premise for the dramatic events that will transform a family into a nation, emphasizing God's enduring remembrance and faithfulness to His covenant people, even as they enter a period of profound challenge.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 1:1, though brief, is packed with significant theological and narrative implications, serving as a vital bridge between the foundational history of Genesis and the redemptive drama of Exodus.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 1:1 primarily employs Continuity and Repetition as key literary devices. The phrase "Now these are the names" directly echoes genealogical and historical summaries found throughout Genesis, creating a seamless narrative flow and signaling to the reader that this is not a new story but a continuation of God's ongoing work with the same covenant people. The Repetition of the historical event of "coming into Egypt" serves to re-establish the setting and the initial condition of the Israelites at the outset of the book, ensuring that the reader is grounded in the historical context from which the drama of the Exodus will unfold. This verse also uses Synecdoche, where "names" (the part) stands for the entire people (the whole), emphasizing their identity and God's intimate knowledge of them. Furthermore, the verse functions as a Narrative Bridge, effectively linking the patriarchal narratives of Genesis with the national history of Exodus, ensuring theological and historical coherence.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 1:1 is far more than a simple historical introduction; it is a theological statement affirming God's unwavering faithfulness and the continuity of His redemptive plan. By explicitly linking back to Jacob's family entering Egypt, the verse underscores that the people about to experience oppression and miraculous deliverance are the very descendants of the patriarchs, the inheritors of God's covenant promises. It highlights that God's purposes are not abandoned or forgotten, even during periods of apparent silence or hardship. The emphasis on "names" (Hebrew shemot) powerfully conveys God's intimate knowledge and remembrance of His people, signaling that He sees their plight and will act on their behalf, setting the stage for the dramatic intervention of the Exodus. This verse lays the groundwork for understanding Israel's identity not as a random collection of individuals, but as a divinely chosen family destined to become a nation, foundational to God's unfolding plan of salvation for all humanity.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 1:1 offers profound insights for contemporary reflection and application. It reminds us that God's grand narrative of redemption is continuous, spanning generations and often unfolding through humble beginnings. Just as God remembered the "names" of Jacob's family, even when they were a small, vulnerable group in a foreign land, He intimately knows and cares for each of us. This verse encourages us to recognize our place within God's larger story, understanding that our lives are interwoven with His ancient promises and ongoing purposes. It challenges us to trust in God's faithfulness, especially during periods of transition, challenge, or apparent delay, knowing that He never forgets His covenant or His people. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of spiritual heritage and the legacy of faith passed down through generations, urging us to honor and build upon the foundational truths established by those who came before us, recognizing that we are part of a continuous, divinely orchestrated journey.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does Exodus begin by listing names, seemingly repeating information from Genesis?
Answer: Exodus 1:1 begins by listing the names of Jacob's descendants not as a mere repetition, but as a crucial act of narrative continuity and theological re-identification. It serves as a vital bridge, reminding the reader precisely who the subjects of this new book are—the very family God had chosen and brought into Egypt, as detailed in Genesis 46. This emphasis on "names" (Hebrew shemot, which gives the book its Hebrew title) highlights the importance of their identity, lineage, and, crucially, God's intimate knowledge and remembrance of His covenant people, even after generations of growth and relative silence. It grounds the dramatic events of the Exodus in a specific, divinely chosen lineage, underscoring that God's plan is unfolding precisely as He purposed from the beginning.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 1:1, by meticulously re-establishing the lineage of "the children of Israel" who entered Egypt, subtly but profoundly points towards Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises. The entire history of Israel, from their entry into Egypt as a family to their miraculous deliverance and formation as a nation, serves as the divinely ordained stage for the eventual arrival of the Messiah. Jesus Christ, as the true seed of Abraham and the Son of David, is the culmination of this very lineage, born into the family whose names are recalled here. He is the ultimate "Israel," the one through whom all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20). Furthermore, just as God remembered the names of His people in Egypt and acted to deliver them from bondage, Christ intimately knows and calls His own by name (John 10:3), gathering a new "Israel"—the Church—into His eternal household. He is the greater Moses who leads His people out of the bondage of sin and death (Hebrews 3:1-6), establishing them as a new, eternal nation under His gracious rule, fulfilling the very purpose for which the historical Israel was chosen.