Exodus 1

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 1 of 40

1 And these were the names of the sons of Israel who came into Egypt with Jacob; they each man came in with his house:

2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,

3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,

4 Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

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Chapter Summary

1 The sons of Israel multiply. 15 The midwives save the baby boys. 22 Pharaoh commands the boys be thrown in river.

Key Hebrew Words

רָבָה multiply, increase H7235 · TWOT 2104
עָנָה afflict, oppress H6031 · TWOT 1652
פֶּ֫רֶךְ harshness, rigor H6531 · TWOT 1817a
עֲבֹדָה hard service, bondage H5656 · TWOT 1553c
יָלַד midwives H3205 · TWOT 867
יָרֵא feared (God) H3372 · TWOT 907

People & Context

Pharaoh

The new king of Egypt who knew not Joseph; enslaves Israel and orders every Hebrew son cast into the river.

Shiphrah

A Hebrew midwife who feared God and refused Pharaoh's order to kill the newborn boys.

Puah

The second Hebrew midwife who, with Shiphrah, feared God and kept the male children alive.

Timeline

Israelites Multiply in Egypt

The sons of Israel, descendants of Jacob, multiply greatly in Egypt after Joseph's time, becoming exceedingly mighty and filling the land.

Exodus 1:1-7
New Pharaoh Oppresses Israel

A new king arises in Egypt who had not known Joseph. He fears the growing number and strength of the Israelites and commands taskmasters to afflict them with burdens, forcing them to build store cities like Pithom and Raamses.

Exodus 1:8-14
Midwives Defy Pharaoh

Pharaoh commands Hebrew midwives Shiphrah and Puah to kill all newborn Hebrew boys, but they fear God and save them. When questioned, they claim Hebrew women deliver before they arrive.

Exodus 1:15-21

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