Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

EXODUS 1:4KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 1:4 (KJV)

What does Exodus 1:4 mean?

Exodus 1:4 lists four of the sons of Jacob: Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. This verse continues a record of Jacob’s descendants who came to Egypt, helping set the stage for the story of the Israelites in Egypt.

In the context of Exodus 1, these names are part of a genealogy recounting which of Jacob’s sons and their families moved to Egypt during the famine. The list reminds readers of the specific family groups that formed the tribes of Israel, showing their roots before the events of slavery and deliverance unfold.

Why Exodus 1:4 matters

  • Exodus 1:4 helps clarify that the Israelites in Egypt were not a random group but the direct descendants of Jacob, organized by their tribal ancestors.
  • By naming Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher, the verse emphasizes the completeness of Jacob’s family in Egypt, which is important for understanding the later growth of the nation.
  • This verse connects the opening of Exodus to the closing chapters of Genesis, showing continuity in the story and reminding readers of God’s promises to Jacob’s family.

Where else these words appear

“Asher” Hebrew H836 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 30:13 And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.
  • Numbers 26:47 These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
  • Judges 5:17 Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.

“Naphtali” Hebrew H5321 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 30:8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.
  • Deuteronomy 33:23 And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south.
  • 1 Kings 15:20 So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.

“Dan” Hebrew H1835 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Deuteronomy 33:22 And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.
  • 2 Samuel 17:11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.

“Gad” Hebrew H1410 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 30:11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.
  • Deuteronomy 33:20 And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.
  • 2 Samuel 24:5 And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer: