Exodus 1

The names and number of the children of Israel, that were come into Egypt, and their multiplication, v.1 etc how Pharoa went about to suppresse them, but in vain, 14 Pharoa commands that Midwives, to kill all the male – children, as soon as they were born, 16 but they do save them alive, 17. for which God blesseth them, 21. Pharao command all the male – infants to be drowned, 22

1. These now are the Names of the Sons o Israel =, that came into Egypt with Jacob; thye came in (there) each with his house. [i.e. with his family or household. Heb. Man and his house came.]

2. Ruben, Simeon, Levi and Juda.

3. Issashar, Zebulon, and Benjamin: [Benjamin was the youngest of all sons of Jacob; and yet he is placed here before the sons of the Concubines, (or, By wives).]

4. Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Aser.

5. All the souls now, [Heb. All (or very) soul, i.e. all the persons. See Gen 46. on verse 26.] Were seventy souls: [See Gen 46. on verse 27.] yet Joseph was in Egypt. [Joseph and his two sons, were likewise indeed come forth out of Egypt. [Joseph and his two sons were likewise indeed come forth out of Jacob, but they were in Egypt before Jacob came there.]

6. Now when Joseph was dead, and all his Brethren, and all that Generation, [I.e. all the people of that age, or time, wherein Joseph and his Brethren were alive yet; and thus the word Generation is taken for the time of a mans life; see Gen 15. on verse 16.]

7. Then the children of Israel became fruitful, and grew abundanctly in a great number, and they multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty: [Heb, might in much much] so that the land was filled with them.

8. After that, there stood up a new King over Egypt, who had not lnow Joseph.

9. The same said to this people of the children of Israel are many, yea mighter then we.

10. Come on, let us deal wisely against them, [Oth let us out – wit them]that they do not multiply, and it happen, when any war fall out, that they join them selves to our enemies, [Heb. Haters] and fight against us, and go up out of the land.

11. And they set over the same Rulers of Task [i.e. Such as required and exacted of very one his appoint days – work] to oppresse the same with their burthens: [viz. which they had imposed and laid upon them] for they were building [Oth they (viz. the children of Israel) builded] unto Pharao Cities of Treasure, [Oth. Ammunition] Pitom and Raames. [This City must be distinguished from the land of Rameses, Genesis 47:11.]

12. But the more they oppressed them, the more they multiplied, and the more they grew: [Heb. Even as they had oppresse it ( viz the people) so it multiplie, and so it grew , or, brake forth .see Gen 28. on verse 14.] that they were vexed by reason of the children of Israel.

13. And the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with hardship. [Therefore Egypt is justly called an house of boundage, Exodus 20:2. and an Iron face, Deuteronomy 4:20.]

14. So that they made them (their) life bitter with hard service, in clay, and in bricks, ( or tile – stones) and with all (manner of 0 service in the field with their service, which they made them serve. [Oth which they did serve under them] with hardship.

15. Besides that, the King of Egypt spake uunto the Mid – wives of the Hebrew (women) [Oth to the Hebrew Mid wive] (the name of the one whereof was Siphra, and the name of the other Pua); [These two were the principal, for doubtless among so numerous a people, there were many more]

16. And said; when help the Hebrew women in labour, and see them upon the stools: if it be a son, then kill him, [see the reason above verse 9.10.] but if it be a daughter, let her live.

17. Yet the Mid wives feared God, and did not as the King of Egypt had spoken to them, but they saved the male – infants alive.

18. Then the Kimg of Egypt called the Mid – wives, and said unto them, wherefore have ye done this thing? That ye did save the male infants alive?

19. And the Mid – wives said to Pharao: Because the Hebrew women are not the Egyptians women, for they are strong; [Heb. Alive, or lively] before the Mid wife comes to thew, they have brought forth, (or, born)

20. Therefore God did the Mid – wives good: [not for their lying, but their fearing God, and saving their children alive; see the next verse] and that people multiplied, and become very mighty.

21. And it come to passé, because the Mid – wives feared God, that he build their houses. [Heb. made, i.e. God did so bless them that they saw a fair posterity and offspring. This may be referred unto the Israelites, or to the midwives, or to both together.]

22. Then Pharao commanded all his people, saying: All the sons [Heb. every son, etc.] that are born, [viz. by the Hebew women.] ye shall cast into the River, but save all the daughters [Hebr. every daughter] alive.