Verse 8 serves as a heading for the list of names and is similar to that used in Exo 1.1. The names in verses 8-15 are the sons and grandsons born to Leah and Jacob. Verse 12 names two of their great-grandsons.

These are the names of the descendants of Israel, who came into Egypt: these points ahead to the list; it means “The following….” Descendants of Israel is literally “sons of Israel,” the common expression used in the Old Testament for “Israelites.” Although many modern versions say “Israelites,” Good News Translation “members of Jacob’s family” is more in keeping with the purpose of the list, which is to name the individuals who went with Jacob to Egypt.

Jacob and his sons is in apposition with descendants of Israel and means the same.

Reuben, Jacob’s first-born: that is, “Reuben, who was Jacob’s firstborn son” or “… oldest son.”

In some languages, fitting the list of Jacob’s family members into the story is made easier by repeating the verb from the opening sentence of this verse with the name of each of the sons of Jacob. For example, “These are the names of … who went to Egypt with him: Jacob’s son Reuben went with him, and Reuben’s sons … Jacob’s son Simeon went with him, and Simeon’s sons….”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .