Exodus 1:4 kjv

Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

Exodus 1:4 nkjv

Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

Exodus 1:4 niv

Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher.

Exodus 1:4 esv

Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.

Exodus 1:4 nlt

Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

Exodus 1 verses

Exodus 1 4 Meaning

Exodus 1:4 continues the listing of the sons of Jacob who came to Egypt, specifying Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin. This verse is part of a short genealogical recapitulation at the beginning of the book, which bridges the narrative from Genesis to Exodus. It confirms the specific individuals who formed the initial nucleus of the nation Israel when they entered Egypt, establishing the family's identity before the events of their multiplication and oppression begin.

Exodus 1 4 Context

Exodus chapter 1 serves as the prologue to the book, bridging the narrative gap between the prosperous ending of Genesis and the servitude experienced at the beginning of Exodus. Verses 1-5 recap Jacob's descendants who came to Egypt, establishing the foundational familial unit that will become the numerous nation of Israel. This particular verse, Exodus 1:4, along with the preceding and following verses (1:1-5), acts as a concise register, highlighting the identity of this immigrant family. Historically, this listing roots the burgeoning nation firmly in its patriarchal covenant origins. The continuation of the lineage from Genesis to Exodus through these names emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant promises of land, seed, and blessing made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 12:2-3, Gen 15:5, Gen 22:17). The context subtly contrasts God's consistent covenant relationship with His people against the imminent, fickle, and hostile policies of Pharaoh.

Exodus 1 4 Word Analysis

• Issachar (יִשָׂשכָר, Yissakhar): This Hebrew name means "there is a reward" or "man of hire." Leah named him after God gave her a reward for giving her servant to Jacob (Gen 30:18). The tribe of Issachar was later noted for its industrious nature, perhaps reflected in its name's association with "hire" or "burden" (Gen 49:14-15), and significantly, for men "who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" (1 Chr 12:32).
• Zebulun (זְבוּלֻן, Zevulun): The name means "exaltation," "dwelling," or "habitation." Leah named him, saying, "God has endowed me with a good dwelling" (Gen 30:20). The tribe of Zebulun was prophesied to dwell "at the haven of the sea," being "a haven for ships" (Gen 49:13), implying involvement in maritime trade and commerce, later reinforced in Moses' blessing (Deut 33:18).
• and Benjamin (וּבִנְיָמִן, u-Vinyamin): The Hebrew name means "son of the right hand," signifying favor, strength, or preferred position. His mother Rachel initially named him Ben-oni ("son of my sorrow") on her deathbed, but Jacob renamed him (Gen 35:18), emphasizing future strength over present grief. The tribe of Benjamin became renowned for its skilled, fierce warriors, often ambidextrous, and notably produced Israel's first king, Saul, and later the Apostle Paul.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin": This specific grouping is significant as it completes the list of the remaining sons of Jacob, directly continuing the account begun in Ex 1:2-3. It provides three more essential ancestral links to the nation of Israel. These names represent not just individuals but future tribes, emphasizing the burgeoning scope of Jacob's family as foundational pillars of the nascent nation. Their inclusion here confirms the total "seventy persons" (Ex 1:5; Gen 46:27), signifying the complete family unit that entered Egypt under God's providential care.

Exodus 1 4 Bonus section

• The re-listing of the names of Jacob's sons from Genesis 46 at the beginning of Exodus acts as a narrative "bridge," reminding the reader of God's faithful past actions and providing necessary context for the unfolding divine plan in Exodus.
• This specific verse, with its continuation of the listing, serves to re-identify Israel in the reader's mind, confirming that the historical continuity from Genesis is being meticulously observed before launching into the narrative of enslavement and liberation.
• The careful recording of family names contrasts with the typical ancient Near Eastern focus on the great deeds of kings and empires. Here, God's chosen family, not human empires, is the central focus of history.

Exodus 1 4 Commentary

Exodus 1:4 is not merely a roll call; it serves a crucial theological and literary function. It provides continuity between the family history of Genesis and the national history of Exodus. By reiterating the names of Jacob's sons, the narrative firmly establishes that the people about to experience oppression and deliverance are indeed the chosen descendants of Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob, to whom God's covenant promises were given. These names represent the twelve foundational tribes, God's elected people. The listing underscores that despite their humble beginnings as a single family entering a foreign land, they are under God's sovereign hand, who will cause them to multiply according to His promise. This verse subtly highlights God's remembrance of His covenant even before the dire circumstances of slavery unfold, setting the stage for His eventual redemption of Israel.