And he said unto his people, Behold, the children of Israel are more and mightier than we. Literally, "great and strong in comparison with us." Actual numerical superiority is not, perhaps, meant; yet the expression is no doubt an exaggerated one, beyond the truth—the sort of exaggeration in which unprincipled persons indulge when they would justify themselves for taking an extreme and unusual course.
Bible Commentary
Exodus 1:9
Exodus 1:9
The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public Domain
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Exodus 1 — OverviewExodus 1 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe have here, I. God's kindness to Israel, in multiplying them
exceedingly, (ver. 1-7). II. The Egyptians' wickedness to them, 1.
Oppressing and enslaving them, (ver. 8-14). 2. Murdering their
children, (ver.…Exodus 1 — OverviewExodus 1 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeExodus 1:1, The children of Israel, after Joseph’s death, increase; Exodus 1:8, The more they are oppressed by a new king, the more they multiply; Exodus 1:15, The godliness of the midwives, in saving the men children…Exodus 1 — OverviewExodus 1 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis book is called by the Jews Veelleh Shemoth, from the first words with which it begins, and sometimes Sepher Shemoth, and sometimes only Shemoth. It is by the Septuagint called Exodus, from whom we have the name of…Exodus 1:1-22Exodus 1:1-22 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe prosperity of Israel.
This prosperity was not a mere appearance, nor a passing spurt of fortune. It was a deep, abiding, and significant reality. Nor was it something exaggerated in order to make an excuse for the…Exodus 1:7-11Exodus 1:7-11 · The Pulpit CommentaryA multiplying people and a king's fears.
The increase of Israel in Egypt excited Pharaoh's jealousy. They were a useful people, and he dreaded their departure (Exodus 1:10). But their staying was almost equally an…Exodus 1:7-14Exodus 1:7-14 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION