Exodus 1:5
Exodus 1:5 in Multiple Translations
The descendants of Jacob numbered seventy in all, including Joseph, who was already in Egypt.
And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already.
And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: and Joseph was in Egypt already.
All the offspring of Jacob were seventy persons: and Joseph had come to Egypt before them.
Jacob had 70 descendants there, including Joseph who was already in Egypt.
So al the soules, that came out of the loines of Iaakob, were seuentie soules: Ioseph was in Egypt already.
And all the persons coming out of the thigh of Jacob are seventy persons; as to Joseph, he was in Egypt.
All the souls who came out of Jacob’s body were seventy souls, and Joseph was in Egypt already.
And all the souls that descended from Jacob, were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already.
And all the souls that came out of Jacob’s thigh, were seventy: but Joseph was in Egypt.
Altogether there were 70 people who went with Jacob. That included his sons, his grandsons, and two great-grandsons. His son Joseph was already in Egypt.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 1:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 1:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/יְהִ֗י
כָּל
נֶ֛פֶשׁ
יֹצְאֵ֥י
יֶֽרֶךְ
יַעֲקֹ֖ב
שִׁבְעִ֣ים
נָ֑פֶשׁ
וְ/יוֹסֵ֖ף
הָיָ֥ה
בְ/מִצְרָֽיִם
וַֽ/יְהִ֗י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
נֶ֛פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs
יֹצְאֵ֥י
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Qal
יֶֽרֶךְ
yârêk
H3409
thigh
N-fs
יַעֲקֹ֖ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
Jacob
N-proper
שִׁבְעִ֣ים
shibʻîym
H7657
seventy
Adj
נָ֑פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs
וְ/יוֹסֵ֖ף
Yôwçêph
H3130
Joseph
Conj | N-proper
הָיָ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
בְ/מִצְרָֽיִם
Mitsrayim
H4714
Egypt
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 1:5
וַֽ/יְהִ֗י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
נֶ֛פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
יֹצְאֵ֥י
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
יֶֽרֶךְ
yârêk
H3409
"thigh"
N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to the thigh or the side of something, and can also symbolize strength or power. It is used to describe where a sword is worn, and also represents the loins as the seat of procreative power.
Definition: 1) thigh, side, loin, base 1a) thigh 1a1) outside of thigh (where sword was worn) 1a2) loins (as the seat of procreative power) 1b) side (flank) (of object) 1c) base
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] body, loins, shaft, side, thigh. See also: Genesis 24:2; Numbers 3:35; Psalms 45:4.
יַעֲקֹ֖ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
"Jacob"
N-proper
This word is the name of a person, Jacob, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the father of many tribes of Israel. The KJV simply translates it as Jacob.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter" son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 319 OT verses. KJV: Jacob. See also: Genesis 25:26; Genesis 34:1; Psalms 14:7.
שִׁבְעִ֣ים
shibʻîym
H7657
"seventy"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the number seventy, like the seventy disciples Jesus sent out in Luke 10:1. It appears in phrases like threescore and ten. The KJV Bible uses it to describe groups of seventy people.
Definition: seventy
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: seventy, threescore and ten ([phrase] -teen). See also: Genesis 4:24; Judges 9:2; Psalms 90:10.
נָ֑פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
וְ/יוֹסֵ֖ף
Yôwçêph
H3130
"Joseph"
Conj | N-proper
Joseph means Jehovah has added, a name given to several Israelites, including the son of Jacob and Rachel. Joseph was a significant figure in the book of Genesis and the story of his brothers. He became a leader in Egypt.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.12.14 § Joseph = "Jehovah has added" 1) the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel 2) father of Igal, who represented the tribe of Issachar among the spies 3) a son of Asaph 4) a man who took a foreign wife in the time of Ezra 5) a priest of the family of Shebaniah in the time of Nehemiah
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: Joseph. Compare H3084 (יְהוֹסֵף). See also: Genesis 30:24; Genesis 47:5; Psalms 77:16.
הָיָ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בְ/מִצְרָֽיִם
Mitsrayim
H4714
"Egypt"
Prep | N-proper
This word means Egypt, a country in northeastern Africa, and is used in the Bible to describe the land and its people. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often referring to the Nile River and the Egyptians. Egypt is an important setting for many biblical events.
Definition: § Egypt = "land of the Copts" a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows Egyptians = "double straits" adj 2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt
Usage: Occurs in 569 OT verses. KJV: Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. See also: Genesis 10:6; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 34:18.
Study Notes — Exodus 1:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 1:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 1:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 1:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 1:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 1:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 1:5
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 1:5
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 1:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 1:5
- Sermons on Exodus 1:5
Context — The Israelites Multiply in Egypt
3Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin;
4Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher.
5The descendants of Jacob numbered seventy in all, including Joseph, who was already in Egypt.
6Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, 7but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 10:22 | Your fathers went down to Egypt, seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky. |
| 2 | Genesis 46:26–27 | All those belonging to Jacob who came to Egypt—his direct descendants, besides the wives of Jacob’s sons—numbered sixty-six persons. And with the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt were seventy in all. |
| 3 | Judges 8:30 | Gideon had seventy sons of his own, since he had many wives. |
| 4 | Exodus 1:20 | So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became even more numerous. |
Exodus 1:5 Summary
[This verse tells us that there were seventy people in Jacob's family when they moved to Egypt, including Joseph who was already living there. This is important because it shows how God kept His promises to Jacob and his family, just like He promised to make them a great nation, as seen in Genesis 28:13-15 and Genesis 46:3. The fact that Joseph was already in Egypt also reminds us that God is always working behind the scenes, even when we can't see what He's doing, as seen in Romans 8:28. As we reflect on this verse, we can be encouraged to trust in God's faithfulness and goodness, just like Jacob and his family did.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Bible give us the exact number of Jacob's descendants in Egypt?
The Bible provides the number of Jacob's descendants to emphasize God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, as seen in Genesis 46:3 and Exodus 1:5. This detail also highlights the miraculous growth of the Israelites in Egypt, which would later become a significant part of their history.
Who are the seventy descendants of Jacob mentioned in this verse?
The seventy descendants include Jacob's twelve sons, their wives, and their children, as listed in Genesis 46:8-27. Joseph, who was already in Egypt, is also included in this count, as stated in Exodus 1:5.
What is the significance of Joseph being already in Egypt?
Joseph's presence in Egypt was a result of God's providence, as seen in Genesis 37:28 and Genesis 41:37-40. His position in Egypt would later play a crucial role in the Israelites' survival and growth, as they would eventually settle in the land of Goshen.
How does this verse relate to the overall narrative of the book of Exodus?
This verse sets the stage for the events that will unfold in the book of Exodus, as the Israelites will face persecution and oppression in Egypt, ultimately leading to their deliverance by God, as promised in Exodus 3:7-10 and Exodus 6:6-8.
Reflection Questions
- What can we learn about God's faithfulness from the exact number of Jacob's descendants in Egypt?
- How does the inclusion of Joseph in the count of Jacob's descendants demonstrate God's sovereignty and providence?
- In what ways can we see God's hand of protection and care over the Israelites, even in the midst of unfamiliar and potentially hostile surroundings?
- What does this verse reveal about the importance of family and community in the biblical narrative?
- How can we apply the principles of faith, trust, and obedience demonstrated by Jacob and his family to our own lives and circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 1:5
And 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 comments on Genesis 46:27].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 1:5
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 1:5
Seventy souls, including Jacob and Joseph, and his two sons. See ,27 Deuteronomy 10:22. Or if they were but sixty-nine, they are called seventy by a round number, of which we shall have many instances. i.e. All that were of the same age with Joseph and his brethren.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 1:5
Exodus 1:5 And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt [already].Ver. 5. And all the souls.] That is, persons; for souls are not begotten, but infused, being divinae particulae aurae. Aristotle himself saw and acknowledged as much. Were seventy souls.] More worth than the seventy nations of the whole world, say the Jews: God reckons of men by their righteousness. λειπεται, τοννουνμονονθυραθενεπειστεναικαιθειονειναι. - De Gene. Ar., lib. ii. cap. 9.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 1:5
(5) All the souls . . . were seventy souls. Comp. Genesis 46:8-27. The number is made up as follows:—Jacob himself, 1; his sons, 12; his daughter, Dinah, 1; his grandsons, 51; his grand-daughter Serah, 1; his great-grandsons, 4—Total, 70. His daughters, except Dinah, and his sons’ daughters, except Serah, spoken of in Genesis 46:7, are not included. If his female descendants were, at the time of his descent into Egypt, as numerous as the males, the entire number of those who “came out of his loins” must have been 132. To form a calculation of the number of persons who entered Egypt with him, we must add the wives of his sons and grandsons, and the husbands of his daughters and granddaughters. A further liberal allowance must be also made for retainers. (See the comment on Exodus 1:1.) It is not perhaps surprising that Kurtz, taking all these classes into account, should calculate that those who entered Egypt with Jacob amounted to “several thousands” (History of The Old Covenant, vol. ii. p. 149, E.T.).
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 1:5
5. all the souls that came out, &c.] As Genesis 46:26 (also P). seventy souls] The number was traditional: cf. Deuteronomy 10:22 (where ‘with’ should be as). This passage shews that P interpreted the tradition in the sense of 70 souls without Jacob: other writers interpreted it in the sense of Deu 10:22, and made the number 70 souls including Jacob (cf. Genesis 46:8; Genesis 46:27 b). See the writer’s Genesis (in the ‘Westminster Commentaries’), pp. 365, 368. Soul in the sense of ‘person,’ though found occasionally elsewhere (but never in the earlier historical books), is peculiarly frequent in P (nearly 100 times).
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 1:5
Seventy - See Genesis 46:27. The object of the writer in this introductory statement is to give a complete list of the heads of separate families at the time of their settlement in Egypt. See the note at Numbers 26:5.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 1:5
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
Sermons on Exodus 1:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Exodus) Exodus 1 Introduction by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Exodus and its connection to the previous events in the book of Genesis. The sermon begins by referencing a passage from Genesis |
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(Genesis) Genesis 46:4-7 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the three spiritual periods in the life of Jacob, which can be applicable to many believers today. The first period is when Jacob lived somewh |