The Tribes Counted Like Stars Entering Egypt by Name

Another interpretation: David said (Psalms 147:3): "He heals the broken-hearted." These are the tribes, whose heart was broken, saying that perhaps Joseph would kill them. (Psalms 147:4, same place:) "He counts the number of the stars." These are the tribes. Just as these stars go forth only by names, as it is said (same place): "He calls them all by names" — and likewise upon their entering they enter by a count, as it is said: "He counts the number of the stars" — so too the tribes: when they entered Egypt it is written (Deuteronomy 10:22): "With seventy souls your ancestors went down to Egypt," and when they went out, "about six hundred thousand on foot" (Exodus 12:37). And the tribes, because they had not gone down to Egypt, their names were specified; and once they entered, their names were specified, as it is said: "And these are the names of the children of Israel."