This book is called by the Jews Veelleh Shemoth, from the first words with which it begins, and sometimes Sepher Shemoth, and sometimes only Shemoth. It is by the Septuagint called Exodus, from whom we have the name of Exodus, which signifies “a going out”; see Luke 9:31, Luke 11:22, because it…

Now these are the names of the children of Israel which came down into Egypt Of the twelve patriarchs, the sons of Jacob, who were heads of the twelve tribes, whose names are here given; since the historian is about to give an account of their coming out of Egypt, and that it might be observed how…

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. ] The first sons of Jacob by Leah.

Issachar, Zebulun The other two sons of Jacob, by Leah: Benjamin; the youngest of all Jacob’s sons is placed here, being his son by his beloved wife Rachel. Joseph is not put into the account, because he did not go into Egypt with Jacob.

Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. ] Who are last mentioned, being sons of the concubine wives.

And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls “Souls” are put for persons; of the number seventy, and how reckoned, (See Gill on Gen. 46:27).

And Joseph died, and all his brethren It is a notion of the Jews, that Joseph died before any of his brethren, (See Gill on Gen. 50:26) and they gather it from these words; but it does not necessarily follow from hence, they might die some before him and some after him; and as they were all born in…

And the children of Israel were fruitful In their offspring; became like fruitful trees, as the word signifies: and increased abundantly; like creeping things, or rather like fishes, which increase very much, see and multiplied; became very numerous, whereby the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and…

Now there arose up a new king over Egypt Stephen calls him another king, one of another family, according to Josephus [[6]]; who was not of the seed royal, as Aben Ezra; and Sir John Marsham [[7]] thinks this was Salatis, who, according to Manetho [[8]], was the first of the Hycsi or pastor kings…

And he said unto his people His princes, nobles, and courtiers about him, his principal ministers of state: behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: which could not be true in fact, but is said to stir up his nobles to attend to what he was about to say, and to…

Come on Which is a word of exhortation, stirring up to a quick dispatch of business, without delay, the case requiring haste, and some speedy and a matter of indifference: let us deal wisely with them; form some wise schemes, take some crafty methods to weaken and diminish them gradually; not with…

Therefore they did set taskmasters over them, to afflict them with their burdens This was the first scheme proposed and agreed on, and was carried into execution, to appoint taskmasters over them; or “princes”, or “masters of tribute” [[16]], commissioners of taxes, who had power to lay heavy taxes…

But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew Became more numerous, “and broke out” [[1]], as it may be rendered, like water which breaks out and spreads itself; so the Israelites, increasing in number, spread themselves still more in the land; the Egyptians thought, by…

And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour. Or with breach [[2]], with what might tend to break their strength; they laid heavier burdens upon them, obliged them to harder service, used them more cruelly and with greater fierceness, adding to their hard service ill words,…

And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage So that they had no ease of body nor peace of mind; they had no comfort of life, their lives and mercies were embittered to them: in mortar and in brick, and in all manner of service of the field; if Pelusium was one of the cities they built, that…

And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives It is difficult to say who these midwives were, whether Egyptian or Hebrew women. Josephus is of opinion that they were Egyptians, and indeed those the king was most likely to succeed with; and it may seem improbable that he should offer such a…

And he said, when ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women Deliver them of their children: and see them upon the stools; seats for women in labour to sit upon, and so contrived, that the midwives might do their office the more readily; but while they sat there, and before the birth, they…

But the midwives feared God And therefore durst not take away the life of an human creature, which was contrary to the express law of God, : and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them; knowing it was right to obey God rather than man, though ever so great, or in so exalted a station: but saved…

And the king called for the midwives Perceiving, by the increase of the Israelites, that they did not obey his commands: and said unto them, why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? not only did not kill them, but did everything for them that was necessary for their…

And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women Not so tender, weak, and feeble, nor so ignorant of midwifery, and needed not the assistance of midwives, as the Egyptian women: for they are lively; or midwives themselves, as Kimchi [[9]] says the word…

Wherefore God dealt well with the midwives He approved of their conduct upon the whole, however difficult it may be to clear them from all blame in this matter; though some think that what they said was the truth, though they might not tell all the truth; yea, that they made a glorious confession…

And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God And regarded his command, and not that of the king, though they risked his displeasure, and their lives: that he made them houses; which some understand of the Israelites making houses for them, being moved to it by the Lord, to preserve them…

And Pharaoh charged all his people Finding he could not carry his point with the midwives, he gave a general order to all his people everywhere: saying, every son that is born ye shall cast into the river; the river Nile; not every son born in his kingdom, for this would have ruined it in time; but…