Exodus 1:5

KJV

And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt [already].

KJV (with Strong's)

And all the souls {H5315} that came out {H3318} of the loins {H3409} of Jacob {H3290} were seventy {H7657} souls {H5315}: for Joseph {H3130} was in Egypt {H4714} already.

Complete Jewish Bible

All told, there were seventy descendants of Ya'akov; Yosef was already in Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

The descendants of Jacob numbered seventy in all, including Joseph, who was already in Egypt.

American Standard Version

And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: and Joseph was in Egypt already.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 1:5 serves as a pivotal numerical and genealogical anchor, bridging the patriarchal narratives of Genesis with the foundational story of Israel's dramatic growth and subsequent oppression in Egypt. It precisely states that seventy direct descendants of Jacob, excluding Joseph who was already established in Egypt, comprised the initial family unit that migrated, thereby setting the stage for the miraculous multiplication and the unfolding of God's covenant promises to His chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the introductory verses of Exodus, which briefly list the sons of Jacob who came to Egypt, serving as a direct continuation and summation of the narrative found in [Genesis 46](/genesis/46 "Genesis 46 - Jacob's Family Goes to Egypt"). It acts as a crucial transition point, numerically confirming the size of the family that entered Egypt before the book shifts its focus to their exponential growth and the subsequent oppression under a new Pharaoh. The parenthetical note about Joseph clarifies the total count, ensuring accuracy by acknowledging his prior presence in Egypt, thus establishing the precise starting point for the nation's demographic explosion detailed in [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Exodus 1:7 - The Multiplication of Israel").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The migration of Jacob's family to Egypt occurred during a severe regional famine, a crisis providentially orchestrated by God through Joseph's rise to power as Pharaoh's prime minister (as seen in [Genesis 41](/genesis/41 "Genesis 41 - Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams")). Egypt, with its fertile Nile Delta, offered a refuge and a place for the family to survive and flourish. The cultural norm of large, extended families was common, and the emphasis on "loins" highlights the patrilineal descent crucial for establishing tribal identity and maintaining lineage, especially pertinent for a people chosen by God to inherit specific promises. Their settlement in Goshen, a fertile region, provided a degree of isolation from the broader Egyptian populace, allowing them to maintain their distinct identity while growing in number.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 1:5 encapsulates several profound themes. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Providence**, demonstrating how God meticulously orchestrated the circumstances (famine, Joseph's elevation) to preserve Jacob's family and relocate them to a place where they could grow into a nation, fulfilling His promises to Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - The Promise of a Great Nation")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Covenant Continuity**, showing God's faithfulness to His word across generations, from Abraham to Isaac, Jacob, and now his descendants. Thirdly, it emphasizes **Small Beginnings and Great Outcomes**, illustrating God's pattern of starting with a humble, manageable number (seventy souls) to build a mighty nation, foreshadowing His ability to accomplish grand purposes from seemingly insignificant origins, a theme echoed throughout biblical history, including the early church (cf. [Acts 1:15](/acts/1-15 "Acts 1:15 - The Disciples Gathered")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **souls (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** This term (H5315) is used here to denote living individuals or persons. While "nephesh" can refer to breath, life, or even the inner being, in this context, it emphasizes the totality of human beings comprising Jacob's household. It highlights the preciousness and individuality of each person within this foundational group, underscoring that God's covenant promises were not abstract but applied to a specific, living community.
* **came out (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** The verb (H3318) signifies a literal departure or emergence. In this context, it describes the physical act of Jacob's descendants leaving Canaan to enter Egypt. This "coming out" is significant as it marks a distinct phase in Israel's early history, a movement from the promised land to a foreign land, which would eventually lead to another, greater "coming out" – the Exodus itself.
* **loins (Hebrew, _yârêk'_):** This word (H3409) literally refers to the thigh or generative parts. As an idiom, "came out of the loins of Jacob" signifies direct descendants or progeny. It emphasizes the familial and genetic connection of all these individuals to their patriarch, Jacob, underscoring the purity and directness of the lineage through which God's covenant promises would be fulfilled. This phrase highlights the biological continuity of the family line, which was crucial for the identity of the nascent nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob":** This clause establishes the subject of the verse: the direct descendants of Jacob. The term "souls" (nephesh) here refers to living persons, emphasizing the human element of this foundational group. The phrase "came out of the loins" is a common Hebrew idiom denoting biological descent, stressing the familial purity and direct lineage from the patriarch Jacob, essential for the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.
* **"were seventy souls":** This provides the precise numerical count of Jacob's direct descendants who migrated to Egypt. The number "seventy" holds significant biblical weight, often symbolizing completeness, totality, or a foundational group (e.g., the seventy nations in [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations"), the seventy elders of Israel in [Exodus 24:1](/exodus/24-1 "Exodus 24:1 - God Summons Moses and the Elders")). Here, it underscores the precise and intentional nature of God's work in establishing His covenant people from a small, manageable number, foreshadowing the incredible multiplication that would soon follow.
* **"for Joseph was in Egypt [already]":** This parenthetical clause provides a crucial clarification regarding the total count. It explains why Joseph, though a son of Jacob, is included in the "seventy souls" total but was not part of the physical migration group. He had already been in Egypt for many years, having risen to prominence as Pharaoh's prime minister, and his presence was the very reason for the family's relocation. This note ensures the accuracy of the count and highlights God's providential orchestration of events.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 1:5 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The phrase "came out of the loins of Jacob" is a clear example of a **Hebrew Idiom**, a common expression used to denote direct biological descent, emphasizing the familial continuity and the purity of the lineage. The specific number "seventy" functions as **Numerical Symbolism**, often representing completeness or a foundational unit in biblical thought, underscoring the divine precision and intentionality behind the formation of Israel. Finally, the clause "for Joseph was in Egypt [already]" serves as a **Parenthetical Clarification**, providing essential background information without interrupting the main flow of the narrative, ensuring the reader understands the context of the census. This verse also subtly uses **Foreshadowing**, as this initial small number of seventy hints at the miraculous population growth that will soon lead to the nation of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 1:5 is far more than a simple census; it is a profound statement of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. From this modest group of seventy souls, God would miraculously multiply His people, demonstrating His power to build a great nation from seemingly insignificant beginnings. This verse underscores God's meticulous providence, as the migration to Egypt, though prompted by famine, was part of His larger plan to preserve Jacob's family and allow them to grow into a numerous people in a protected environment, away from the corrupting influences of Canaan. It reaffirms the continuity of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, showing His commitment to His word across generations and through challenging circumstances, setting the stage for the dramatic unfolding of His redemptive plan.

* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - The Promise to Abraham") – God's initial promise to Abraham to make him a great nation, fulfilled through Jacob's descendants.
* [Genesis 46:26-27](/genesis/46-26-27 "Genesis 46:26-27 - The Number of Jacob's Household") – A parallel account in Genesis confirming the number of those who came to Egypt.
* [Deuteronomy 10:22](/deuteronomy/10-22 "Deuteronomy 10:22 - Israel's Humble Beginnings") – Moses' later reflection on the small number of ancestors who went down to Egypt, contrasting it with their vast multitude.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 1:5 offers a powerful reminder that God often initiates His greatest works from the most humble and seemingly insignificant beginnings. The mighty nation of Israel, from whom the Messiah would ultimately come, began with a family of just seventy individuals. This teaches us to trust God's process, even when our own beginnings, current circumstances, or resources seem small or inadequate. It underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving His people and fulfilling His promises across generations, regardless of the challenges or the apparent smallness of the starting point. This verse encourages us to remain faithful in our own small steps of obedience, knowing that God can take our meager offerings and multiply them for His grand purposes. It inspires us to have patience and hope, understanding that God's timeline and methods often differ from our expectations, yet His faithfulness remains constant.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the small number of "seventy souls" at the beginning of Exodus challenge or affirm your understanding of how God works in the world?**
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you feel like you are starting with "small beginnings"? How can the story of Jacob's family encourage you to trust God's plan for growth?**
* **How does God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, as evidenced in this verse, strengthen your faith in His promises for your own life?**

### FAQ
**Why is the number "seventy" significant in this verse?**

Answer: The number "seventy" in [Exodus 1:5](/exodus/1-5 "Exodus 1:5 - The Seventy Souls") is highly significant for several reasons. Biblically, "seventy" often represents completeness, totality, or a foundational group. For instance, in [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations"), seventy nations are listed as descending from Noah, symbolizing the totality of humanity. In the context of Israel, it marks the divinely appointed, precise number of Jacob's direct descendants who entered Egypt, establishing the initial, distinct family unit from which God would miraculously multiply a great nation. This specific number underscores God's meticulous planning and intentionality in fulfilling His covenant promises, demonstrating that from a seemingly small and manageable group, He would bring forth a multitude. It also serves as a numerical anchor, setting the stage for the dramatic population growth described later in the chapter.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The preservation and multiplication of the "seventy souls" in [Exodus 1:5](/exodus/1-5 "Exodus 1:5 - The Seventy Souls") are a profound testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, which ultimately find their climactic fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This small family, divinely protected and destined to become a great nation, forms the very lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come, as meticulously traced in genealogies like [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"). God's faithfulness in preserving this nascent community, even in a foreign land and through severe famine, foreshadows His greater plan of salvation for all humanity through the singular "**seed**" of Abraham—Jesus Christ—as explained in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham"). Just as God multiplied the seventy into a countless multitude, Christ, through His redemptive work, gathers a spiritual Israel, a vast multitude from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation (as envisioned in [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation")), demonstrating that the ultimate purpose of God's covenant with Abraham, initiated with a small family, was to bless all the families of the earth through the person and work of His Son, the true Lamb of God (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 10:22

Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

Genesis 46:26

All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls [were] threescore and six;

Genesis 46:27

And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, [were] two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, [were] threescore and ten.

Judges 8:30

And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.

Exodus 1:20

Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.