The Affliction of the Israelites in Egypt

11 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came into Egypt; every man and his family came with Jacob. 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 All the offspring of Jacob were seventy persons: and Joseph had come to Egypt before them. 6 Then Joseph came to his end, and all his brothers, and all that generation. 7 And the children of Israel were fertile, increasing very greatly in numbers and in power; and the land was full of them.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 1:1-7

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.