Exodus 1:3

Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3-4) Reuben . . . —The sons of the legitimate wives are placed first, then those of the concubines. Leah has precedence over Rachel; Bilhah over Zilpah. The children of each wife and concubine are given in order of seniority. The omission of Joseph from the list is explained in the last clause of Exodus 1:5.

Benson Commentary

Exodus 1:3. And Benjamin — Who, though youngest of all, is placed before Dan, Naphtali, &c., because they were the children of the hand-maidens.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Now - Literally, "And," indicating a close connection with the preceding narrative. In fact this chapter contains a fulfillment of the predictions recorded in Genesis 46:3 and in Genesis 15:13.

Every man and his household - It may be inferred from various notices that the total number of dependents was considerable, a point of importance in its bearings upon the history of the Exodus (compare Genesis 13:6; Genesis 14:14).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

THE SECOND BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED EXODUS. Commentary by Robert Jamieson

CHAPTER 1

Ex 1:1-22. Increase of the Israelites.

1. Now these are the names—(See Ge 46:8-26).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Who, though the youngest of all, is placed before Dan, Naphtali, &c., because these were the sons of the handmaidens.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Issachar, Zebulun,.... The other two sons of Jacob, by Leah:

Benjamin; the youngest of all Jacob's sons is placed here, being his son by his beloved wife Rachel. Joseph is not put into the account, because he did not go into Egypt with Jacob.

Geneva Study Bible

Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Exodus 1:3

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

To place the multiplication of the children of Israel into a strong nation in its true light, as the commencement of the realization of the promises of God, the number of the souls that went down with Jacob to Egypt is repeated from Genesis 46:27 (on the number 70, in which Jacob is included, see the notes on this passage); and the repetition of the names of the twelve sons of Jacob serves to give to the history which follows a character of completeness within itself. "With Jacob they came, every one and his house," i.e., his sons, together with their families, their wives, and their children. The sons are arranged according to their mothers, as in Genesis 35:23-26, and the sons of the two maid-servants stand last. Joseph, indeed, is not placed in the list, but brought into special prominence by the words, "for Joseph was in Egypt" (Exodus 1:5), since he did not go down to Egypt along with the house of Jacob, and occupied an exalted position in relation to them there.