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.
Continue studying Exodus 1:4 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 1:4 continues the meticulous enumeration of Jacob's sons who journeyed into Egypt, specifically listing Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. This verse is an integral part of the introductory passage of the book of Exodus, serving as a vital bridge from the patriarchal narratives of Genesis to the burgeoning formation of Israel as a distinct nation. It underscores the foundational lineage of the rapidly growing Israelite family, setting the historical and theological stage for their dramatic increase in number and subsequent divine deliverance from bondage.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 1:4, though brief, employs several significant literary devices. The primary device is Enumeration, as the verse is part of a list of Jacob's sons. This systematic listing serves to establish a clear Genealogy, tracing the lineage from the patriarch Jacob to the foundational heads of the twelve tribes. This genealogical emphasis is crucial for establishing the identity and historical continuity of the Israelite people, linking them directly to the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The use of a simple, declarative sentence structure for the names creates a sense of factual record-keeping, reinforcing the historical veracity of the account. Furthermore, the verse contributes to the broader device of Transition, smoothly bridging the narrative from the family-centric stories of Genesis to the nation-building events of Exodus. The very act of naming each son, even those born to concubines, underscores the divine inclusivity and the comprehensive nature of God's chosen family, highlighting that all these individuals contribute to the "seventy souls" who enter Egypt, destined to become a great nation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The careful enumeration of Jacob's sons in Exodus 1:4, alongside the preceding verses, serves as a powerful theological statement about God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. Each name represents a foundational pillar of the burgeoning nation of Israel, demonstrating God's meticulous attention to the details of His redemptive plan. From a small family, God orchestrates the growth of a people who will become His chosen nation, highlighting His sovereign power to multiply and sustain His people, even in foreign lands and under future oppression. This foundational listing underscores that the Exodus narrative is not a new beginning but a continuation of God's long-standing relationship with the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 1:4, though a simple list of names, carries profound spiritual weight. It reminds us that God's grand redemptive plan often begins with humble, seemingly insignificant beginnings—a family of seventy souls entering a foreign land. Yet, within this list is the seed of a mighty nation, a testament to God's sovereign power to multiply, sustain, and fulfill His promises across generations. For us today, this verse underscores that every individual and every family, no matter how small or seemingly ordinary, has a place in God's overarching narrative. It encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that He remembers His covenant and meticulously works out His purposes, even through challenging circumstances and long periods of waiting. Just as He nurtured Israel from a family to a nation, He continues to build His kingdom, often starting with small acts of obedience and faithfulness, leading to profound and lasting impact.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does Exodus 1:4 list only four names?
Answer: Exodus 1:4 is part of a continuous enumeration of Jacob's sons that begins in Exodus 1:2 and continues through Exodus 1:3. The full list of Jacob's twelve sons, who are the patriarchal founders of the twelve tribes of Israel, is presented across these verses to provide a comprehensive record of the family that entered Egypt. The verse simply completes the list that began in the preceding verses.
What is the significance of the "seventy souls" mentioned in Exodus 1:5?
Answer: The "seventy souls" (or seventy persons) refers to the total number of Jacob's direct descendants who migrated with him to Egypt, as explicitly detailed in Genesis 46:27. This number is profoundly significant as it represents the small, initial family unit from which God had promised Abraham He would raise a great nation Genesis 12:2. It highlights the miraculous and divinely orchestrated growth that follows in Exodus, where this small group multiplies exponentially, underscoring God's power and faithfulness to His covenant.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous listing of Jacob's sons in Exodus 1:4, and the subsequent growth of their descendants into a vast nation, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. While the physical lineage of Israel was crucial for the coming of the Messiah, Christ is the true "seed" of Abraham Galatians 3:16, the one through whom all the families of the earth are blessed Genesis 12:3. The miraculous multiplication of physical Israel from a small family in Egypt prefigures the spiritual expansion of God's kingdom through Christ, gathering a new, vast multitude of believers from every nation, tribe, people, and language Revelation 7:9 into His spiritual family, the Church. In Christ, the promises made to the patriarchs find their ultimate and universal scope, transcending national boundaries to embrace all who believe, fulfilling God's redemptive purpose to its fullest extent Ephesians 2:19-22.