출애굽기 Chapter 1

Translation: ESV

1

These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household:

Key Message

God's redemptive history begins by remembering the names of those who are oppressed in a foreign land.

▸Exodus opens by continuing directly from Genesis (the migration of Jacob's family to Egypt).

Exodus opens by continuing directly from Genesis (the migration of Jacob's family to Egypt). The phrase 'these are the names' connects to the Hebrew title 'Shemot (שְׁמוֹת, names)', showing how individual identities and stories are woven into the history of a nation. This introduction reminds us that Israel's starting point was not the promised land but a foreign land, suggesting that God's redemptive work begins in the darkest places.

Related Verses

Now these are the names of the descendants of Israel, who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons.
2

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,

Key Message

Even in suffering, God remembers each person by name, and the whole community participates together in the story of salvation.

▸The first four of Jacob's twelve sons are listed.

7

But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.

Key Message

God's promise of blessing does not cease even in the land of oppression; in the midst of suffering, God's people flourish.

▸The phrase 'fruitful and increased greatly, multiplied and grew strong' echoes the creation mandate of Genesis 1:28 and the Noahic covenant of Genesis 9:1.

8

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.

Key Message

Power that does not remember past grace becomes an instrument of oppression; God's people must not rely on the changing powers of this world.

▸The phrase 'a new king who did not know Joseph' depicts the amnesia of power that forgets past grace.

10

Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.

Key Message

Human attempts to block God's plan with worldly wisdom in fact accelerate the fulfillment of that very plan.

▸Pharaoh's expression 'let us deal shrewdly' is ironic.

12

But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel.

Key Message

Persecution of God's people only makes them stronger; God's promises do not cease even in the midst of oppression.

▸'The more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied' encapsulates the key irony of this chapter.

15

Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah,

Key Message

The names of those who feared God and protected life are recorded in history; conscience that resists injustice in power is precious before God.

▸That the midwives' names (Shiphrah and Puah) are recorded is highly significant.

17

But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.

Key Message

Fearing God is the source of courage to stand against unjust power, and protecting life is the practice of faith that fears God.

▸'Fearing God' is the core motivation explaining the midwives' action.

20

So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong.

Key Message

God will certainly repay with grace and blessing those who saved life and feared Him.

▸God dealing well with the midwives confirms the principle that those who fear God ultimately receive protection and blessing.

22

Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, 'Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.'

Key Message

Evil seeks to kill life, but God transforms even the instruments of evil into means of salvation.

▸Pharaoh's command escalates.