Exodus 1:1-11 ▼

1 These are the names of the sons of Israel that came into Egypt together with Jacob their father; they came in each with their whole family.

2 Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Judas,

3 Issachar, Zabulon, Benjamin,

4 Dan and Nephthalim, Gad and Aser.

5 But Joseph was in Egypt. And all the souls born of Jacob were seventy-five.

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

7 And the children of Israel increased and multiplied, and became numerous and grew exceedingly strong, and the land multiplied them.

8 And there arose up another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.

9 And he said to his nation, Behold, the race of the children of Israel is a great multitude, and is stronger than we:

10 come then, let us deal craftily with them, lest at any time they be increased, and whensoever war shall happen to us, these also shall be added to our enemies, and having prevailed against us in war, they will depart out of the land.

11 And he set over them task-masters, who should afflict them in their works; and they built strong cities for Pharao, both Pitho, and Ramesses, and On, which is Heliopolis.