Exodus 1:6

KJV

And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joseph {H3130} died {H4191}, and all his brethren {H251}, and all that generation {H1755}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yosef died, as did all his brothers and all that generation.

Berean Standard Bible

Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died,

American Standard Version

And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 1:6 serves as a concise yet profoundly significant transitional statement, marking the definitive end of the patriarchal era initiated in Genesis. It records the passing of Joseph, his brothers, and the entire generation that had migrated to Egypt, thereby concluding the period of familial favor and setting the stage for the dramatic shift in Israel's circumstances from cherished guests to an increasingly numerous, yet soon-to-be oppressed, nation awaiting divine intervention and deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse acts as a crucial bridge between the narrative of Genesis and the unfolding drama of Exodus. Genesis concludes with the death of Joseph and the burial of Jacob, focusing on the establishment of Jacob's family in Egypt. Exodus 1:1-5 details the names of Jacob's sons who came to Egypt, emphasizing the initial small number of the family. Immediately following the declaration of their deaths in [Exodus 1:6](/exodus/1-6 "Exodus 1:6 - The Passing of a Generation"), [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Exodus 1:7 - Israel's Proliferation in Egypt") highlights the astonishing proliferation of the Israelites, fulfilling God's covenant promises of multiplication. This rapid growth, coupled with the passing of the original generation, directly precipitates the rise of a new pharaoh "who knew not Joseph" in [Exodus 1:8](/exodus/1-8 "Exodus 1:8 - A New King in Egypt"), leading to the subsequent enslavement of the Israelites. Thus, Exodus 1:6 is not merely a historical note but a narrative pivot, signaling the conclusion of one phase and the commencement of the next, preparing the reader for the dramatic shift in the nation's fortunes.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period between Genesis and Exodus spans approximately 400 years, during which the Israelite family grew into a considerable population within Egypt. While the precise pharaohs and dynasties are debated, the narrative implies a significant shift in Egyptian policy towards the Israelites. Joseph's initial rise to power likely occurred under a pharaoh who valued his wisdom, possibly during the Middle Kingdom or the Hyksos period, where foreign rulers might have been more amenable to Semitic peoples. The "new king" mentioned in [Exodus 1:8](/exodus/1-8 "Exodus 1:8 - A New King in Egypt") likely represents a pharaoh of a new dynasty, possibly the New Kingdom, who sought to consolidate power, viewed the burgeoning foreign population with suspicion, and saw them as a potential threat or a convenient source of forced labor. The cultural context includes the Egyptian belief in the divinity of the pharaoh, their advanced civilization, and their reliance on slave labor for monumental building projects, all of which set the stage for the oppressive conditions the Israelites would face.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 1:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes. Firstly, it underscores the **inevitability of mortality** and the **transience of human leadership**, even for divinely appointed figures like Joseph. Secondly, it marks a critical **theological transition** from the patriarchal period, where God interacted primarily with individual family heads, to the nascent national period, where God would begin to forge Israel into a distinct people. This transition is crucial for understanding the subsequent events of the Exodus, which are foundational to Israel's identity as God's chosen nation. Thirdly, the verse subtly points to God's **sovereign plan** and **covenant faithfulness**. Despite the passing of the founding generation, God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation, as seen in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham"), continues to unfold, even through periods of loss and hardship, setting the stage for the miraculous growth described in [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Exodus 1:7 - Israel's Proliferation in Egypt").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **died (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** This primitive root signifies the cessation of life, whether literally or figuratively. In this context, it unequivocally denotes the physical death of Joseph, his brethren, and their entire generation. The use of this common verb emphasizes the natural, irreversible end of a human life, even for those highly favored by God, highlighting the universal dominion of mortality.
* **brethren (Hebrew, _ʼâch'_):** Derived from a primitive word, this term broadly refers to a brother in the widest sense, encompassing literal relationship, metaphorical affinity, or resemblance. Here, it specifically refers to Joseph's eleven biological brothers, the direct progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel (excluding Joseph's own descendants, Ephraim and Manasseh, who became tribes). Their passing signifies the end of the direct, patriarchal leadership of Jacob's sons.
* **generation (Hebrew, _dôwr'_):** This word, from the root _dûwr_ (to revolve), properly denotes a revolution of time, an age, or a group of people living at the same time. Its inclusion emphasizes that not just specific individuals, but an entire epoch in the life of the nascent Israelite nation had concluded. It signifies a complete demographic turnover, paving the way for a new historical phase where the Israelites would be a people born and raised entirely in Egypt.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joseph died":** This clause marks the end of the life of the most prominent figure in the latter half of Genesis. Joseph, who had saved his family from famine and secured their place in Egypt, represents the last direct link to the period of favor and prosperity under the previous pharaoh. His death signifies the removal of the patriarch who held the most influence and connection within the Egyptian court, opening the door for a new political reality.
* **"and all his brethren":** This expands the scope of mortality to include the other sons of Jacob, who were the direct founders of the twelve tribes. Their passing means that the original, cohesive family unit that migrated to Egypt has now fully dissolved through death. This highlights the end of the immediate, familial leadership that characterized the patriarchal age, shifting the focus to the collective descendants.
* **"and all that generation":** This final phrase broadens the statement to encompass everyone who had come to Egypt with Jacob or who had been part of that initial cohort. It underscores the complete demographic transition, signifying that the entire founding generation of the Israelite presence in Egypt had passed away. This collective death marks the definitive conclusion of the Genesis narrative's direct participants and sets the stage for the emergence of a new generation, born and raised in Egypt, who would face new challenges and experience God's deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 1:6 masterfully employs **Concision** and **Transition**. The verse is remarkably brief, yet it encapsulates centuries of demographic change and theological significance, rapidly moving the narrative from the familial prosperity of Genesis to the national struggle of Exodus. This **Concision** allows the narrative to maintain a brisk pace, quickly establishing the new context. Furthermore, it functions as a powerful **Transition** point, bridging the patriarchal history with the national history of Israel. The simple statement of death, particularly of Joseph, who was central to the previous narrative, provides a clear demarcation. This verse also contains an element of **Understatement**; the profound implications of this generational shift—the loss of direct ties to the previous pharaoh and the vulnerability of the Israelites—are conveyed through a straightforward declaration of mortality, allowing the subsequent verses to reveal the dramatic consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 1:6, while seemingly a straightforward historical record of death, carries profound theological weight. It starkly reminds humanity of the universal truth of **mortality** and the **transience of all earthly life and leadership**. Even figures as divinely blessed and instrumental as Joseph are subject to the natural course of life and death, underscoring that ultimate hope and security cannot rest in human strength, wisdom, or influence. This verse also marks a pivotal **theological transition** from the individualistic, patriarchal covenant relationship to the collective, national covenant. The passing of "that generation" clears the stage for God to work on a larger scale, transforming a family into a nation, preparing them for the reception of the Law and the establishment of a theocracy. This transition, though involving loss, is integral to God's unfolding redemptive plan, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant promises of multiplication and nation-building, even across generations and through periods of significant change.

* [Genesis 50:26](/genesis/50-26 "Joseph's Death and Burial")
* [Deuteronomy 34:5-7](/deuteronomy/34-5-7 "The Death of Moses")
* [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "The Brevity of Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 1:6 serves as a potent reminder that all seasons of life, even those marked by divine favor, strong leadership, or prosperity, are ultimately finite. It challenges us to consider where we place our ultimate trust and hope. If our security is rooted in human leaders, favorable circumstances, or past achievements, we are building on shifting sand. This verse redirects our gaze to the unchanging character and enduring promises of God, who remains sovereign over all generations and circumstances. It teaches us that God's purposes transcend individual lives and even entire eras. Just as God brought about His plan for Israel despite the death of the founding generation and the subsequent oppression, He continues to work His will through all transitions, challenges, and losses in our lives. We are called to trust in His faithfulness, recognizing that even when familiar comforts or influential figures depart, His grand narrative of redemption continues to unfold, inviting us to find our ultimate security in Him alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the swift passing of "that generation" challenge our tendency to place ultimate hope in human leaders or earthly stability?**
* **In what ways might God be preparing you for a new season or transition, even if it involves the "passing" of something familiar or comfortable?**
* **How does the enduring faithfulness of God, despite the mortality of His chosen servants, encourage your trust in His long-term plan for your life and for the church?**

### FAQ
**Does "all that generation" imply every single person from that time died?**

Answer: While "all that generation" literally means everyone from that specific age group, in biblical narrative, such phrases often emphasize the *prevailing* reality or the *majority* of a cohort passing away, marking the end of a distinct era. It signifies that the original group who came to Egypt with Jacob had fully passed on, making way for a new, larger generation that had grown up entirely within Egypt. This highlights the demographic and historical transition rather than a strict, literal extinction of every individual. The focus is on the complete turnover of the original cohort that experienced the direct leadership of Joseph and his brothers, setting the stage for a new era where the Israelites were born and raised entirely in Egypt, as detailed in [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Exodus 1:7 - Israel's Proliferation in Egypt").

**Why is the death of Joseph and his brothers specifically mentioned before "all that generation"?**

Answer: Joseph and his brothers represent the foundational patriarchs and the direct link to the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their individual deaths are specifically highlighted because they were the key figures who established the Israelite presence in Egypt and carried the direct lineage of the covenant. Their passing signifies not just a general demographic shift, but the end of the initial, direct patriarchal leadership and the transition to a period where the descendants would grow into a nation, often without such immediate, divinely appointed family heads. Joseph, in particular, was instrumental in bringing the family to Egypt and ensuring their initial prosperity, as recounted in [Genesis 45:7-8](/genesis/45-7-8 "Joseph's Role in Preserving Life"). His death, therefore, marks a profound shift in the leadership and circumstances of the burgeoning nation, preparing for the rise of a new pharaoh who "knew not Joseph" in [Exodus 1:8](/exodus/1-8 "Exodus 1:8 - A New King in Egypt").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 1:6, by soberly noting the universal mortality of Joseph and his generation, subtly foreshadows the ultimate triumph over death achieved in Jesus Christ. While the passing of Joseph's generation led to a period of severe oppression for Israel, necessitating a deliverer, Christ's death was not an end but the decisive victory over sin and death itself, ushering in an eternal deliverance. Joseph, though a great deliverer of his people from famine, ultimately succumbed to death, as do all human leaders. However, Jesus, the true and greater Joseph, laid down His life only to take it up again, conquering the grave (cf. [John 10:18](/john/10-18 "Jesus' Authority to Lay Down and Take Up His Life")). His resurrection ensures that God's people are no longer bound by the transient nature of human life or the limitations of any earthly generation, but are part of an eternal kingdom, a spiritual family drawn from every tribe and nation (cf. [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "The Multitude from Every Nation")). Through Christ, the promise of a great nation finds its ultimate fulfillment, not merely in physical descendants, but in a spiritual body that inherits eternal life and a lasting dwelling place, transcending the cycles of death and new generations (cf. [Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "The Heavenly Jerusalem")). He is the true Lamb of God, whose sacrifice takes away the sin of the world, offering a life that death cannot conquer (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

Genesis 50:26

So Joseph died, [being] an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Acts 7:14

Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to [him], and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

Acts 7:16

And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor [the father] of Sychem.

Genesis 50:24

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.