Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,
Their names recur throughout Scripture to make them familiar to us, showing how precious God's spiritual Israel are to Him. Seventy souls entered Egypt, the very number of nations scattered at Babel, so mark how their later increase becomes wonderful, it is always good to remember how small a thing we began from before the Lord made us great.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 1:1-7
The first four sons came through Leah; Issachar and Zebulun were hers as well. Benjamin, Jacob's youngest by Rachel, appears in the list, but Joseph does not, since he had already gone down to Egypt before his father.
AI summary
The seventy souls with Jacob show the promise of God already at work, and listing the twelve sons by their mothers gives the account its own completeness. Joseph stands apart, not numbered among those who went down, but singled out as already in Egypt, elevated above his brethren.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 1:2-5