# In the beginning

Here "beginning" refers to the start of Israel's history as they were first becoming a people.

# went down to ... Egypt

"went to ... Egypt." It was common to use the phrase "went down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt.

# Assyria has oppressed them

Assyria refers to the people of Assyria. AT: "the people of Assyria have treated them badly" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])