Exodus 1:4
Exodus 1:4 in Multiple Translations
Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher.
Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
Dan, and Nephtali, Gad and Aser.
Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 1:4
BAB
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Exodus 1:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
דָּ֥ן
וְ/נַפְתָּלִ֖י
גָּ֥ד
וְ/אָשֵֽׁר
דָּ֥ן
Dân
H1835
Dan
N-proper
וְ/נַפְתָּלִ֖י
Naphtâlîy
H5321
Naphtali
Conj | N-proper
גָּ֥ד
Gâd
H1410
Gad
N-proper
וְ/אָשֵֽׁר
ʼÂshêr
H836
Asher
Conj | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 1:4
דָּ֥ן
Dân
H1835
"Dan"
N-proper
Dan was a son of Jacob and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Dan was known for its skills in warfare and is mentioned in the book of Genesis.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Dan living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.6; son of: Israel (H3478) and Bilhah (H1090A); brother of: Naphtali (H5321); half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Hushim (H2366B) § Dan = "a judge" 1) the 5th son of Jacob, the 1st of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid 2) the tribe descended from Dan, the son of Jacob 3) a city in Dan, the most northern landmark of Palestine
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: Daniel See also: Genesis 14:14; Judges 13:25; Jeremiah 4:15.
וְ/נַפְתָּלִ֖י
Naphtâlîy
H5321
"Naphtali"
Conj | N-proper
Naphtali was a son of Jacob and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was born to Bilhah, Rachel's servant, and is first mentioned in Genesis 30:8. Naphtali's descendants lived in the region of Galilee.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Naphtali living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.8; son of: Israel (H3478) and Bilhah (H1090A); brother of: Dan (H1835H); half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Jahzeel (H3183), Guni (H1476), Jezer (H3337) and Shillem (H8006) Also named: Nephthaleim (Νεφθαλείμ "Naphtali" G3508) § Naphtali = "wrestling" 1) the 5th son of Jacob and the 2nd by Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel 2) the tribe descended from Naphtali the son of Jacob 3) the territory assigned to the tribe of Naphtali
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: Naphtali. See also: Genesis 30:8; Judges 1:33; Psalms 68:28.
גָּ֥ד
Gâd
H1410
"Gad"
N-proper
Gad was the seventh son of Jacob and the founder of the tribe of Gad, which was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was also the name of a prophet during David's time.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.22.5 § Gad = "troop" 1) seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher. 2) the tribe descended from Gad 3) a prophet during the time of David; appears to have joined David when in the hold; reappears in connection with the punishment for taking a census; also assisted in the arrangements for the musical service of the "house of God"
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: Gad. See also: Genesis 30:11; Joshua 22:10; Jeremiah 49:1.
וְ/אָשֵֽׁר
ʼÂshêr
H836
"Asher"
Conj | N-proper
Asher was the eighth son of Jacob and one of the twelve tribes of Israel, mentioned in Genesis 30:13. The tribe of Asher was known for its happy and blessed people. Asher is also the name of a region in Palestine.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Asher living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.13; son of: Israel (H3478) and Zilpah (H2153); brother of: Gad (H1410); half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Imnah (H3232), Ishvah (H3438), Ishvi (H3440), Beriah (H1283) and Serah (H8294); also translated "pine" or "cypress wood" at Ezk.27.6(?); Ashurite at 2Sa.2.9(?); § Asher = "happy" 1) son of Jacob and Zilpah 2) the tribe descended from Asher 3) a city east of Shechem in Manasseh
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: Asher See also: Genesis 30:13; Joshua 17:11; Ezekiel 48:34.
Study Notes — Exodus 1:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Israelites Multiply in Egypt
Exodus 1:4 Summary
[This verse lists the last four sons of Jacob, which are Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. These sons, along with their brothers, make up the twelve tribes of Israel, as established in Genesis 29:32-35 and Genesis 30:1-24. The listing of these tribes is important because it sets the stage for the events of the book of Exodus, which tells the story of God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as seen in Exodus 12:31-42. By listing each tribe, the Bible reminds us that every individual and family has a unique role to play in God's plan, as in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Bible list the names of Jacob's sons in this order?
The order of the names may be due to the mothers of the sons, as seen in Genesis 29:32-35 and Genesis 30:1-24, or it could be related to their birth order or tribal importance, as hinted in Exodus 1:2-3 and Exodus 1:4-5.
What can we learn from the fact that Dan and Naphtali are listed together?
The pairing of Dan and Naphtali may indicate a close relationship or geographic proximity between the two tribes, as seen in the allocation of land in Joshua 19:1-48, and reminds us that God often works through the relationships and communities He establishes, as in Acts 2:42-47.
How does this verse relate to the larger story of the Israelites in Egypt?
This verse sets the stage for the events of Exodus, which tell the story of God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as prophesied in Genesis 15:13-14 and fulfilled in Exodus 12:31-42.
What is the significance of the tribes of Gad and Asher being listed last?
The listing of Gad and Asher last may indicate their position or role within the larger family of Israel, as seen in the blessing of Jacob in Genesis 49:1-28, and serves as a reminder that every tribe and individual has a unique part to play in God's plan, as in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about the importance of family and heritage in the biblical narrative?
- How does the listing of these specific tribes relate to the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the book of Genesis?
- What can we learn from the fact that the Bible takes the time to list the names of each of Jacob's sons, and how does this relate to our own sense of identity and purpose?
- In what ways does this verse point forward to the larger story of God's redemption and salvation, as seen in the New Testament?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 1:4
Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. Who are last mentioned, being sons of the concubine wives.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 1:4
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 1:4
(3-4) Reuben . . . —The sons of the legitimate wives are placed first, then those of the concubines. Leah has precedence over Rachel; Bilhah over Zilpah. The children of each wife and concubine are given in order of seniority. The omission of Joseph from the list is explained in the last clause of Exo 1:5.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 1:4
1–7. Growth of the descendants of Jacob in Egypt, after Joseph’s death, into a great people.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 1:4
OF ISRAEL, Exodus 1:1-6. 1-5. These are the names — The heads of the tribes are recounted, and the statement of Gen 46:27 is repeated, that seventy souls went down into Egypt; the writer, from the