Thematic Bible
Exodus 1:1 (show verse)
These are the names of the Israelis who entered Egypt with Jacob, each one having come with his family:
Exodus 1:2 (show verse)
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah,
Exodus 1:3 (show verse)
Issacar, Zebulun, Benjamin,
Exodus 1:4 (show verse)
Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
Exodus 1:5 (show verse)
All those who descended from Jacob totaled 75 persons. Now Joseph was already in Egypt.
Exodus 1:6 (show verse)
Then Joseph, all his brothers, and that entire generation died.
Exodus 1:7 (show verse)
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.
Exodus 1:8 (show verse)
Eventually a new king who was unacquainted with Joseph came to power in Egypt.
Exodus 1:9 (show verse)
He told his people, "Look, the Israeli people are more numerous and more powerful than we are.
Exodus 1:10 (show verse)
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."
Exodus 1:11 (show verse)
So the Egyptians placed supervisors over them, oppressing them with heavy burdens. The Israelis built the supply cities of Pithom and Rameses for Pharaoh.
Exodus 1:12 (show verse)
But the more the Egyptians afflicted the Israelis, the more they multiplied and flourished, so that the Egyptians became terrified of the Israelis.
Exodus 1:13 (show verse)
The Egyptians ruthlessly forced the Israelis to serve them,
Exodus 1:14 (show verse)
making their lives bitter through hard labor with mortar, bricks, and all kinds of outdoor labor. They ruthlessly imposed all this work on them.
Exodus 1:15 (show verse)
Later, the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah.
Exodus 1:16 (show verse)
"When you help the Hebrew women give birth," he said, "watch them as they deliver. If it's a son, kill him; but if it's a daughter, let her live."
Exodus 1:17 (show verse)
But the midwives feared God and didn't do what the king of Egypt told them. Instead, they let the boys live.
Exodus 1:18 (show verse)
When the king of Egypt called for the midwives, he asked them, "Why have you done this and allowed the boys to live?"
Exodus 1:19 (show verse)
"Hebrew women aren't like Egyptian women," the midwives replied to Pharaoh. "They're so healthy that they give birth before the midwives arrive to help them."
Exodus 1:20 (show verse)
God was pleased with the midwives, and the people multiplied and became very strong.
Exodus 1:21 (show verse)
Because the midwives feared God, he provided families for them.
Exodus 1:22 (show verse)
Meanwhile, Pharaoh continued commanding all of his people, "You're to throw every Hebrew son who is born into the Nile River, but you're to allow every Hebrew daughter to live."