Exoduschapter 1

22 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 180 cross-references outward and receives 186 — heaviest partner: Genesis.

Chapter summary

Israel in Egypt. ‘There arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.’ The Hebrews multiply; Pharaoh fears them; they are set to hard bondage under taskmasters. Pyramids of brick rise from their sweat. The midwives Shiphrah and Puah refuse to kill the male children and God rewards them with households. Pharaoh escalates: every son cast into the river. The chapter sets the scene — the covenant family has become a slave nation; the ground of their cry is prepared. Henry: God is already preparing a deliverer in a household by the Nile. Judgment on Israel will be the instrument of their deliverance.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Law · Moses — see the Exodus overview for the book's full setting.

1 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, who came into Egypt (every man and his household came with Jacob):

2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,

3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,

4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.

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

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

7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.

9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: