שמות, פרק א׳, פסוק ד׳

When recounting the sons of Jacob, the biblical narrative organizes their names with a deliberate rhythm and structure. Throughout the Bible, lists of individuals are connected in several different ways, with six distinct methods used to present a series of names [אבן עזרא].

For the brothers Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher, the text adopts the fourth of these approaches by grouping them into distinct pairs. Rather than linking every single name together, leaving the connections out entirely, or saving the connecting link for the very last person in the group, these specific brothers are intentionally coupled. This deliberate pairing creates a unique flow, distinguishing this gathering of names from other lists found elsewhere in the biblical record.