Exodus 1:1-11 ▼

1 THESE are the names of the children of Israel, who came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob:

2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,

3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,

4 Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

5 And all the persons that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy persons; for Joseph was in Egypt already.

6 And Joseph died, and all his brothers, and all that generation.

7 And the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, and multiplied and grew exceedingly strong; and the land was filled with them.

8 Now there rose up a new king over Egypt who knew not Joseph.

9 And he said to his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more numerous and stronger than we;

10 Come, let us deal wisely with them, before they multiply, lest when we chance to be at war, they will be added also to our enemies, and fight against us, and so drive us out of the land.

11 Therefore they appointed over them cruel taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh cities with storehouses, Pithom and Raamses.