Although it is left out of most English translations, the book of Exodus begins with the word and in Hebrew. This indicates that Exodus is closely connected to Genesis and continues the redemptive history that began there. Comparing Genesis 46:1–34 to Exodus 1:1–6 it becomes clear that we must see the book of Exodus as a continuation of the history of the work of God through the generations of Adam, Seth, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The reader is expected to know that Jacob and Israel refer to the same person, for example, as well as the reason that Jacob and his family moved to Egypt.¹ Likewise, Joseph’s illustrious career is not recounted even though it provides essential background to the rise of the new king in Egypt (Exodus 1:8). There are also several direct allusions to the Genesis material. Joseph’s death (Exodus 1:6) echoes the ending of Genesis (Genesis 50:26), whereas Israel’s immense growth (Exodus 1:7) echoes its beginning (Genesis 1:28).