Exodus 1:4

Exodus 1:4 lists the names of the sons of Jacob who went to Egypt with him. This verse serves as a historical record of the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, who eventually became the twelve tribes of Israel. It sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham of making his descendants into a great nation. The mention of these names highlights the continuity of God's covenant throughout generations and foreshadows the future events of the Exodus story.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. Who are last mentioned, being sons of the concubine wives. Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. Who are last mentioned, being sons of the concubine wives. Exodus 1:5 exo 1:5 exo 1:5 exo 1:5And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls,.... "Souls" are put for persons; of the number seventy, and how reckoned; see Gill on Gen 46:27. This was but a small number that went down to Egypt, when compared with that which went out of it; and that it should be compared with it is the design of its being mentioned, see Exo 12:37, for Joseph was in Egypt already; and is the reason why he is not reckoned among the sons of Jacob, that came thither with him; though rather it may be better rendered, "with Joseph who was in Egypt" (c); for he must be reckoned, and indeed his two sons also, to make up the number seventy; therefore Jonathan rightly supplies it,"with Joseph and his sons who were in Egypt,''See Gill on Gen 46:27. (c) "cum Josepho qui erat in Aegypto", Junius & Tremellius, Ainsworth, Noldius, No. 1197. p. 273. so the Arabic version, Kimchi, and Ben Melech.