Exodus 1:22

1:22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “All sons ¹  that are born you must throw ²  into the river, but all daughters you may let live.” ³ 

Exodus 39:6

39:6 They set the onyx stones in gold filigree settings, engraved as with the engravings of a seal ⁴  with the names of the sons of Israel. ⁵ 

Exodus 39:14

39:14 The stones were for the names of the sons of Israel, twelve, corresponding to the number of ⁶  their names. Each name corresponding to one of the twelve tribes was like the engravings of a seal.

[1:22]  ¹ tn The substantive כֹּל (kol) followed by the article stresses the entirety – “all sons” or “all daughters” – even though the nouns are singular in Hebrew (see GKC 411 §127.b).

[1:22]  ² tn The form includes a pronominal suffix that reiterates the object of the verb: “every son…you will throw it.”

[1:22]  ³ tn The first imperfect has the force of a definite order, but the second, concerning the girls, could also have the nuance of permission, which may fit better. Pharaoh is simply allowing the girls to live.

[39:6]  ⁴ tn Or “as seals are engraved.”

[39:6]  ⁵ sn The twelve names were those of Israel’s sons. The idea was not the remembrance of the twelve sons as such, but the twelve tribes that bore their names.

[39:14]  ⁷ tn The phrase “the number of” has been supplied.