11 And these 'are' the names of the sons of Israel who are coming into Egypt with Jacob; a man and his household have they come; 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4 Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. 5 And all the persons coming out of the thigh of Jacob are seventy persons; as to Joseph, he was in Egypt. 6 And Joseph dieth, and all his brethren, and all that generation; 7 and the sons of Israel have been fruitful, and they teem, and multiply, and are very very mighty, and the land is filled with 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.