Exodus 1:5 - All the souls who came out of Jacob’s body were seventy souls, and Joseph was in Egypt already.
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What does "Exodus 1:5" mean?
Exodus 1:5 is a simple statement, but its significance lies in establishing a few key points at the very beginning of the Book of Exodus:
Establishing Continuity with Genesis: The verse connects the events of Exodus directly to the story of Jacob (also known as Israel) and his family in the Book of Genesis. It reminds the reader that the Israelites in Egypt are the descendants of Jacob.
Quantifying the Initial Population: The verse specifies that there were "seventy souls" who came out of Jacob's body. This is the total number of Jacob's direct descendants who migrated to Egypt (including Jacob himself and his children and grandchildren). It is a fixed number that is mentioned elsewhere in the Torah, like in Genesis 46:27, to emphasize its accuracy.
Joseph's Pre-existing Presence: The phrase "and Joseph was in Egypt already" highlights that Joseph, one of Jacob's sons, was already established in a high position in Egypt. This is a crucial background detail, as it explains why Jacob and his family were able to migrate to Egypt in the first place – Joseph invited them during a famine in Canaan.
In short: The verse sets the stage for the Exodus narrative by reminding us who the Israelites are (Jacob's descendants), how many of them initially went to Egypt (seventy), and why they were there (because Joseph was already in a position of power). It acts as a bridge between the patriarchal narratives of Genesis and the story of the Israelites' enslavement and eventual liberation in Exodus.
Exodus 1:5 - All the souls who came out of Jacob’s body were seventy souls, and Joseph was in Egypt already.
What does "Exodus 1:5" mean?
Exodus 1:5 is a simple statement, but its significance lies in establishing a few key points at the very beginning of the Book of Exodus:
Establishing Continuity with Genesis: The verse connects the events of Exodus directly to the story of Jacob (also known as Israel) and his family in the Book of Genesis. It reminds the reader that the Israelites in Egypt are the descendants of Jacob.
Quantifying the Initial Population: The verse specifies that there were "seventy souls" who came out of Jacob's body. This is the total number of Jacob's direct descendants who migrated to Egypt (including Jacob himself and his children and grandchildren). It is a fixed number that is mentioned elsewhere in the Torah, like in Genesis 46:27, to emphasize its accuracy.
Joseph's Pre-existing Presence: The phrase "and Joseph was in Egypt already" highlights that Joseph, one of Jacob's sons, was already established in a high position in Egypt. This is a crucial background detail, as it explains why Jacob and his family were able to migrate to Egypt in the first place – Joseph invited them during a famine in Canaan.
In short: The verse sets the stage for the Exodus narrative by reminding us who the Israelites are (Jacob's descendants), how many of them initially went to Egypt (seventy), and why they were there (because Joseph was already in a position of power). It acts as a bridge between the patriarchal narratives of Genesis and the story of the Israelites' enslavement and eventual liberation in Exodus.