Israel Oppressed in Egypt
Exodus 1
This chapter lists the sons of Israel who came into Egypt with Jacob and tells how their descendants multiplied greatly after Joseph's death. A new king who did not know Joseph enslaves the Hebrews with hard labor and orders their male infants killed, but the Hebrew midwives, fearing God, refuse to obey and preserve the children.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonTHESE are the names of Israel’s sons who went down to Egypt with their father Jacob. They went everyone with his whole family;
BrentonThese are the names of the sons of Israel that came into Egypt together with Jacob their father; they came in each with their whole family.
GreekΤΑΥΤΑ τὰ ὀνόματα τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ τῶν εἰσπεπορευμένων εἰς Αἴγυπτον ἅμα Ἰακὼβ τῷ πατρὶ αὐτῶν, ἕκαστος πανοικὶ αὐτῶν εἰσήλθοσαν.
KJVNow these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob.
JPSNOW THESE are the names of the sons of Israel, who came into Egypt with Jacob; every man came with his household:
2
Thomson—
BrentonRuben, Simeon, Levi, Judas,
GreekῬουβὴν, Συμεών, Λευὶ, Ἰούδας,
KJVReuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,
JPSReuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah;
3
ThomsonIssachar, Zabulon, Benjamin,
BrentonIssachar, Zabulon, Benjamin,
GreekἸσσάχαρ, Ζαβουλὼν, Βενιαμὶν,
KJVIssachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,
JPSIssachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin;
4
ThomsonDan and Nephthaleim, Gad and Aser. Now Joseph was in Egypt.
BrentonDan and Nephthalim, Gad and Aser.
GreekΔὰν, καὶ Νεφθαλὶ, Γὰδ, καὶ Ἀσήρ.
KJVDan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
JPSDan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
5
ThomsonAnd all the souls from Jacob were seventy-five.
BrentonBut Joseph was in Egypt. And all the souls born of Jacob were seventy-five.
GreekἸωσὴφ δὲ ἦν ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ· ἦσαν δὲ πᾶσαι ψυχαὶ ἐξ Ἰακὼβ, πέντε καὶ ἑβδομήκοντα.
KJVAnd all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already.
JPSAnd all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls; and Joseph was in Egypt already.
6
ThomsonAnd when Joseph was dead and all his brothers and all that generation
BrentonAnd Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.
GreekἘτελεύτησε δὲ Ἰωσὴφ, καὶ πάντες οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ πᾶσα ἡ γενεὰ ἐκείνη.
KJVAnd Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.
JPSAnd Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.
7
Thomsonand the children of Israel had increased and multiplied and were become numerous and grew more and more powerful and the land caused them to abound,
BrentonAnd the children of Israel increased and multiplied, and became numerous and grew exceedingly strong, and the land multiplied them.
GreekΟἱ δὲ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ ηὐξήθησαν, καὶ ἐπληθύνθησαν, καὶ χυδαῖοι ἐγένοντο, καὶ κατίσχυον σφόδρα σφόδρα· ἐπλήθυνε δὲ ἡ γῆ αὐτούς.
KJVAnd the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
JPSAnd the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
8
Thomsonthere arose another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.
BrentonAnd there arose up another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.
GreekἈνέστη δὲ βασιλεὺς ἕτερος ἐπʼ Αἴγυπτον, ὃς οὐκ ᾔδει τὸν Ἰωσήφ.
KJVNow there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
JPSNow there arose a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.
9
ThomsonAnd he said to his nation, Behold the race of the children of Israel is become a great multitude, and is mightier than we.
BrentonAnd he said to his nation, Behold, the race of the children of Israel is a great multitude, and is stronger than we:
GreekΕἶπε δὲ τῷ ἔθνει αὐτοῦ, ἰδοὺ τὸ γένος τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ μέγα πλῆθος, καὶ ἰσχύει ὑπὲρ ἡμᾶς.
KJVAnd he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:
JPSAnd he said unto his people: ‘Behold, the people of the children of Israel are too many and too mighty for us;
10
ThomsonCome therefore, let us deal subtly with them. Perhaps when they are multiplied, if a war should happen to us, they will join our enemies and fight against us and depart out of the land.
Brentoncome then, let us deal craftily with them, lest at any time they be increased, and whensoever war shall happen to us, these also shall be added to our enemies, and having prevailed against us in war, they will depart out of the land.
GreekΔεῦτε οὖν κατασοφισώμεθα αὐτοὺς, μήποτε πληθυνθῇ, καὶ ἡνίκα ἂν συμβῇ ἡμῖν πόλεμος, προστεθήσονται καὶ οὗτοι πρὸς τοὺς ὑπεναντίους, καὶ ἐκπολεμήσαντες ἡμᾶς, ἐξελεύσονται ἐκ τῆς γῆς.
KJVCome on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
JPScome, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there befalleth us any war, they also join themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us, and get them up out of the land.’
11
ThomsonSo he set task masters over them to afflict them with labours and they built for Pharao fortified cities, namely, Peitho and Ramesses and On, which is Heliopolis.
BrentonAnd he set over them task-masters, who should afflict them in their works; and they built strong cities for Pharao, both Pitho, and Ramesses, and On, which is Heliopolis.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπέστησεν αὐτοῖς ἐπιστάτας τῶν ἔργων, ἵνα κακώσωσιν αὐτοὺς ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις. Καὶ ᾠκοδόμησαν πόλεις ὀχυρὰς τῷ Φαραῷ, τήν τε Πειθὼ, καὶ Ῥαμεσσῆ, καὶ Ὢν, ἥ ἐστιν Ἡλιού πολις.
KJVTherefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
JPSTherefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh store-cities, Pithom and Raamses.
12
ThomsonBut the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew stronger and stronger.
BrentonBut as they humbled them, by so much they multiplied, and grew exceedingly strong; and the Egyptians greatly abhorred the children of Israel.
GreekΚαθότι δὲ αὐτοὺς ἐταπείνουν, τοσούτῳ πλείους ἐγίνοντο, καὶ ἴσχυον σφόδρα σφόδρα· καὶ ἐβδελύσσοντο οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ.
KJVBut the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
JPSBut the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were adread because of the children of Israel.
13
ThomsonSo the Egyptians were abhorred by the children of Israel; and the Egyptians ruled over the Israelites with rigour
BrentonAnd the Egyptians tyrannised over the children of Israel by force.
GreekΚαὶ κατεδυνάστευον οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ βίᾳ.
KJVAnd the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:
JPSAnd the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour.
14
Thomsonand made their lives bitter with hard labour in working clay and making bricks and with all the toils of the field, according to the several kinds of service to which they forcibly subjected them.
BrentonAnd they embittered their life by hard labours, in the clay and in brick-making, and all the works in the plains, according to all the works, wherein they caused them to serve with violence.
GreekΚαὶ κατωδύνων αὐτῶν τὴν ζωὴν ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς σκληροῖς, τῷ πηλῷ καὶ τῇ πλινθείᾳ, καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς ἐν τοῖς πεδίοις, κατὰ πάντα τὰ ἔργα, ὧν κατεδουλοῦντο αὐτοὺς μετὰ βίας.
KJVAnd they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.
JPSAnd they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field; in all their service, wherein they made them serve with rigour.
15
ThomsonMoreover the king of the Egyptians spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the first in rank was Sepphora and the name of the second Phua,
BrentonAnd the king of the Egyptians spoke to the midwives of the Hebrews; the name of the one was, Sepphora; and the name of the second, Phua.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Αἰγυπτίων ταῖς μαίαις τῶν Ἐβραίων, τῇ μιᾷ αὐτῶν ὄνομα Σεπφώρα, καὶ τὸ ὄνομα τῆς δευτέρας Φουά·
KJVAnd the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:
JPSAnd the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah;
16
Thomsonand said, When you do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women and they are delivered, if it be a male child, kill it; but if it be a female preserve it alive.
BrentonAnd he said, When ye do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and they are about to be delivered, if it be a male, kill it; but if a female, save it.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν, ὅταν μαιοῦσθε τὰς Ἐβραίας, καὶ ὦσι πρὸς τῷ τίκτειν, ἐὰν μὲν ἄρσεν ᾖ, ἀποκτείνατε αὐτό· ἐὰν δὲ θῆλυ, περιποιεῖσθε αὐτό.
KJVAnd he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
JPSand he said: ‘When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, ye shall look upon the birthstool: if it be a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.’
17
ThomsonBut the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the males.
BrentonBut the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt appointed them; and they saved the male children alive.
GreekἘφοβήθησαν δὲ αἱ μαῖαι τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ οὐκ ἐποίησαν καθότι συνέταξεν αὐταῖς ὁ βασιλεὺς Αἰγύπτου, καὶ ἐζωογόνουν τὰ ἄρσενα.
KJVBut the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.
JPSBut the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men-children alive.
18
ThomsonWhereupon the king of Egypt sent for the midwives and said to them, Why have you done this and saved the male children?
BrentonAnd the king of Egypt called the midwives, and said to them, Why is it that ye have done this thing, and saved the male children alive?
GreekἘκάλεσε δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς Αἰγύπτου τὰς μαίας, καὶ εἶπεν αὐταῖς, τί ὅτι ἐποιήσατε τὸ πρᾶγμα τοῦτο, καὶ ἐζωογονεῖτε τὰ ἄρσενα;
KJVAnd the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?
JPSAnd the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them: ‘Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men-children alive?’
19
ThomsonAnd the midwives said to Pharao, The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian; for they bring forth instantly. Before the midwives can come to them, they are delivered.
BrentonAnd the midwives said to Pharao, The Hebrew women are not as the women of Egypt, for they are delivered before the midwives go in to them. So they bore children.
GreekΕἶπαν δὲ αἱ μαῖαι τῷ Φαραῷ, οὐχ ὡς γυναῖκες Αἰγύπτου αἱ Ἐβραῖαι· τίκτουσι γὰρ πρὶν ἢ εἰσελθεῖν πρὸς αὐτὰς τὰς μαίας· καὶ ἔτικτον.
KJVAnd the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.
JPSAnd the midwives said unto Pharaoh: ‘Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwife come unto them.’
20
ThomsonAnd God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew mighty.
BrentonAnd God did well to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and grew very strong.
GreekΕὖ δὲ ἐποίει ὁ Θεὸς ταῖς μαίαις· καὶ ἐπλήθυνεν ὁ λαὸς, καὶ ἴσχυε σφόδπα.
KJVTherefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.
JPSAnd God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.
21
ThomsonAnd because the midwives feared God they established families for themselves.
BrentonAnd as the midwives feared God, they established for themselves families.
GreekἘπεὶ δὲ ἐφοβοῦντο αἱ μαῖαι τὸν Θεὸν, ἐποίησαν ἑαυταῖς οἰκίας.
KJVAnd it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.
JPSAnd it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that He made them houses.
22
ThomsonThen Pharao gave orders to all his people saying, Every male child which is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the river, but preserve every female alive.
BrentonAnd Pharao charged all his people, saying, Whatever male child shall be born to the Hebrews, cast into the river; and every female, save it alive.
GreekΣυνέταξε δὲ Φαραὼ παντὶ τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ, λέγων, πᾶν ἄρσεν, ὃ ἐὰν τεχθῇ τοῖς Ἑβραίοις, εἰς τὸν ποταμὸν ῥίψατε, καὶ πᾶν θῆλυ, ζωογονεῖτε αὐτό.
KJVAnd Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.
JPSAnd Pharaoh charged all his people, saying: ‘Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.’