The Affliction of the Israelites in Egypt

11 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob ; they came each one [1]with his household : 2 Reuben , Simeon , Levi and Judah ; 3 Issachar , Zebulun and Benjamin ; 4 Dan and Naphtali , Gad and Asher . 5 All the [2]persons who came from the loins of Jacob were seventy [3]in number , but Joseph was already in Egypt .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 1:1-5

Commentary on Exodus 1:1-7

(Read Exodus 1:1-7)

During more than 200 years, while Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived at liberty, the Hebrews increased slowly; only about seventy persons went down into Egypt. There, in about the same number of years, though under cruel bondage, they became a large nation. This wonderful increase was according to the promise long before made unto the fathers. Though the performance of God's promises is sometimes slow, it is always sure.