the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher. The descendants of Jacob numbered seventy in all; Joseph was already in Egypt” (Exod. 1:1–5; cf. Gen. 46:8–27). The twelve tribes of Israel are listed in a formal way to indicate that this is the preface to some momentous event. From the very beginning it is apparent that these people have a history and a destiny. Exodus begins the
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