Exodus 1:1 kjv

Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob.

Exodus 1:1 nkjv

Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt; each man and his household came with Jacob:

Exodus 1:1 niv

These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family:

Exodus 1:1 esv

These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household:

Exodus 1:1 nlt

These are the names of the sons of Israel (that is, Jacob) who moved to Egypt with their father, each with his family:

Exodus 1 verses

Exodus 1 1 Meaning

Exodus chapter 1, verse 1 begins the book by connecting directly to the previous narrative in Genesis, establishing a foundational continuity. It serves as an introductory bridge, reminding the reader of the patriarch Jacob (Israel) and his direct descendants—the original family units—who journeyed into Egypt. This verse sets the stage for the unfolding story of their growth from a small clan into a numerous people within Egypt, thereby commencing the history of God's people in a new land and setting the scene for their future deliverance and the formation of a nation.

Exodus 1 1 Context

Exodus 1:1 marks the precise transition from the book of Genesis to Exodus. Genesis concluded with the death and burial of Joseph in Egypt (Gen 50:26). Exodus opens directly by resuming the story, yet with a gap of approximately 400 years summarily covered in the opening verses of chapter 1. The verse immediately shifts the focus from the individual narratives of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph) to the collective "sons of Israel." It re-establishes the identity of the group as Jacob's family who entered Egypt, laying the groundwork for understanding how this small family would become a vast nation. This continuity highlights the unfolding of God's redemptive plan and His faithfulness to the covenant promises made to the patriarchs, specifically the promise of a numerous offspring and eventual inheritance of the land, which now begins to be dramatically advanced through the Egyptian sojourn and subsequent Exodus.

Exodus 1 1 Word analysis

• Now these (וְאֵלֶּה, ve'elleh): The Hebrew word ve (and) prefixed to elleh (these) is a direct conjunctive, functioning to link the narrative seamlessly from Genesis. It signifies that Exodus is not a new, unrelated story, but a continuation of God's overarching plan described in the previous book. This form of opening, sometimes called a "waw connective," highlights the narrative unity of the Pentateuch, affirming a single divine storyline.
• are the names (שְׁמוֹת, shemot): Plural of shem, meaning "name." In ancient cultures, a name signified identity, character, and essence, not just a label. The book itself is titled Shemot in Hebrew, meaning "Names," underscoring the personal and collective identity of the individuals and their lineage as crucial to the unfolding narrative of the burgeoning nation. This focus on "names" emphasizes God's knowledge of and covenant with each individual and the group.
• of the sons of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, b'nei Yisrael): This phrase is a collective designation for the descendants of Jacob, whose name was divinely changed to "Israel" (Gen 32:28). It emphasizes their unique lineage and special identity tied to God's chosen patriarch. "Children of Israel" serves as a collective noun for the entire people of God, stressing their familial origin from one man.
• who came to Egypt (הַבָּאִים מִצְרַיְמָה, haba'im Mitsrayimah): This refers to the historical migration detailed in Genesis 46. The Hebrew uses a participle, "the ones coming," which emphasizes their status as being in Egypt, having already arrived. It serves as a reminder of their origins in the land, not as indigenous people, but as sojourners who entered under God's provident hand due to famine. This migration fulfills part of God's prophecy to Abraham about his descendants sojourning in a foreign land (Gen 15:13).
• with Jacob (אֵת יַעֲקֹב, et Ya'akov): Identifies the direct head of the family unit at the time of their migration. By specifically naming Jacob, the verse reinforces the direct continuity of the covenant lineage through him, connecting back to the promises given to Abraham and Isaac. It indicates that the entire family, under Jacob's leadership, entered Egypt.
• each with his household (אִישׁ וּבֵיתוֹ, ish u'veito): Literally "man and his house." This phrase clarifies that the emigration was not just of individual persons but of complete family units. In a patriarchal society, the "household" included wife, children, and sometimes servants or extended relatives, forming the basic economic and social unit. This detail highlights that the core foundation for a growing population—intact and reproducing family structures—was already in place, setting the stage for their rapid multiplication in Egypt as God promised.

Exodus 1 1 Bonus section

The Hebrew title of the Book of Exodus, Shemot (Names), is taken directly from the second word of this verse. This title itself signifies the importance of the individual members of the Israelite family, each of whom carried the covenant identity inherited through Jacob, highlighting that God’s relationship is with a particular people whose identities are known to Him. The immediate reference to the specific list found in Gen 46:8-27 reminds the reader of the precision of the biblical account, even in what may seem like a simple genealogical notation. This introductory verse rapidly sets the stage for a period of centuries (Acts 7:6 mentions 400 years) compressed into just a few verses, where God's promises of multiplication would exponentially unfold in the seemingly adverse environment of Egypt, underscoring God’s sovereign power to accomplish His will regardless of external circumstances.

Exodus 1 1 Commentary

Exodus 1:1 is deceptively simple, yet profoundly foundational. It acts as a purposeful literary bridge from Genesis, emphasizing the unbroken divine narrative that commences with creation and moves through patriarchal history to the formation of Israel as a nation. By referencing the "names of the sons of Israel" and their entry "with Jacob," it directly invokes God's faithfulness to His covenant promises of multiplication and blessings to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The verse implicitly addresses the fulfillment of the prophecy of the seventy souls descending to Egypt (Gen 46:27) who would later emerge as a multitude. It underscores that even during periods of apparent divine silence or national vulnerability (the gap between Genesis and Exodus), God's plans for His chosen people continue to advance, ensuring their preservation and eventual flourishing. The "household" concept reveals God's working through families to build His nation, highlighting the importance of family as the basic unit of society and faith.