Exodus 1:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,

NIV: Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin;

NASB: Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin;

CSB: Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin;

NLT: Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin,

KJV: Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,

NKJV: Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin;

The fifth through seventh sons of Jacob are noted in this verse. Issachar was Jacob and Leah's fifth son together (Genesis 30:17–18). He had four sons of his own named Tola, Puvah, Yob, and Shimron (Genesis 46:13). He was considered a "strong donkey" (Genesis 49:14). Zebulun was the sixth son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 30:20). He had three sons named Sered, Elon, and Jahleel (Genesis 46:14). Jacob predicted he would "dwell at the shore of the sea; he shall become a haven for ships, and his border shall be at Sidon" (Genesis 49:13).

Benjamin was the second son of Jacob and Rachel following Joseph. Rachel died while giving birth to Benajmin (Genesis 35:16–19). He was the youngest of Jacob's twelve sons and was carefully guarded by his father (Genesis 42:4). In fact, Benjamin means "son of my right hand." Benjamin did not travel to Egypt with his brothers during their first trip. Instead, Benjamin came on the second trip when Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers.

Exodus 1:1–14 describes the explosive growth of the nation of Israel and the erosion of their relationship to Egypt. Joseph's efforts in the past saved Egypt from ruin, and his family was welcomed into the land. Generations later, the drastic increase in their population is seen as a threat to the Egyptian people. Motivated by a combination of fear and disgust, the king of Egypt brutally enslaves the people of Israel in an attempt to reduce their numbers. This effort fails, and the following passage shows Pharaoh resorting to infanticide in an effort to control the Hebrews.

The children of Abraham and Jacob grow rapidly, forming a prosperous nation made up of twelve tribes, one for each son of Jacob. This inspires fear and hate from the Egyptians. Their king first tries to slow down the Hebrews' growth by enslaving them. Next, he increases the brutality of their work. Then, he tries to command Jewish midwives to kill their own people's newborn baby boys. When these all fail, he openly orders the murder of all Jewish infant boys. Inadvertently, this creates the very situation which leads to the rise of Israel's eventual leader, Moses.

Exodus chapter 1 establishes the difficult reality faced by the nation of Israel. At the end of Genesis, Abraham's descendants were finally safe. In this passage, they become prosperous and expand rapidly. This, however, results in fear and hatred from the native Egyptians, who enact a program of slavery and infanticide against the Hebrews. This sets the scene for the arrival of Israel's greatest leader, the prophet Moses, who will speak for God during this time of Israel's rescue. The next chapter explains Moses' dangerous childhood and exile in the desert.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 5/8/2024 6:31:38 PM