Exodus 1:1-12 ▼

1 These are the names of the Israelis who entered Egypt with Jacob, each one having come with his family:

2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah,

3 Issacar, Zebulun, Benjamin,

4 Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

5 All those who descended from Jacob totaled 75 persons. Now Joseph was already in Egypt.

6 Then Joseph, all his brothers, and that entire generation died.

7 But the Israelis were fruitful and increased abundantly. They multiplied in numbers and became very, very strong. As a result, the land was filled with them.

8 Eventually a new king who was unacquainted with Joseph came to power in Egypt.

9 He told his people, |Look, the Israeli people are more numerous and more powerful than we are.

10 Come on, let's be careful how we treat them, so that when they grow numerous, if a war breaks out they won't join our enemies, fight against us, and leave our land.|

11 So the Egyptians placed supervisors over them, oppressing them with heavy burdens. The Israelis built the supply cities of Pithom and Rameses for Pharaoh.

12 But the more the Egyptians afflicted the Israelis, the more they multiplied and flourished, so that the Egyptians became terrified of the Israelis.