Exodus 1:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 1:8-14

The land of Egypt here, at length, becomes to Israel a house of bondage, though hitherto it had been a happy shelter and settlement for them. Note, The place of our satisfaction may soon become the place of our affliction, and that may prove the greatest cross to us of which we said, This same shall comfort us. Those may prove our sworn enemies whose parents were our faithful friends; nay, the same persons that loved us may possibly turn to hate us: therefore cease from man, and say not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 1:12

But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew ,.... Became more numerous, "and broke out" F2 יפיץ "erumpebat", Junius & Tremellius, Drusius, Tigurine version. , as it may be rendered, like water which breaks out and spreads itself; so the Israelites, increasing in number, spread themselves still more in the land; the Egyptians thought, by putting them to hard labour in building cities, to have weakened their strength, and made them unfit for the procreation... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:12

But the more they afflicted them - The margin has pretty nearly preserved the import of the original: And as they afflicted them, so they multiplied and so they grew That is, in proportion to their afflictions was their prosperity; and had their sufferings been greater, their increase would have been still more abundant. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:12

Verse 12 12.But the more. Moses relates the contest between the mercy of God and the cruelty of the king of Egypt. When, therefore, the wretched Israelites were tyrannically afflicted, he says that God came to their aid, and so powerfully that his interference was successful. Thus was that wicked and deceitful design frustrated, which the Egyptians had set on foot for destroying the Church. Thence may we, too, conceive the hope, that whatsoever the wicked imagine against us will come to nought,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:1-22

The 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 cruelties of a suspicious tyrant. There was indeed only too much to make Pharaoh uneasy; but altogether apart from his alarms there is a plain and emphatic statement of the prosperity of Israel in Exodus 1:7 . It is a very emphatic statement indeed, summoning us m the most... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:7-12

God the Protector of his people. I. THE MULTIPLICATION OF ISRAEL . All increase is of God, and comes to man by his blessing. As he gave the original command, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth" ( Genesis 1:28 ), so he in every case gives the new lives by which the earth is replenished. "Children, and the fruit of the womb, are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord" ( Psalms 128:3 ). He gives or withholds offspring as he pleases; enlarges families,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:7-14

Here the real narrative of Exodus begins. The history of the Israelites from and after the death of Joseph is entered on. The first point touched is their rapid multiplication . The next their falling under the dominion of a new king . The third, his mode of action under the circumstances . It is remarkable that the narrative contains no notes of time. How long the increase continued before the new king arose, how long it went on before he noticed it, how long the attempt was made to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:7-14

Israel in Egypt. The life of a people, like that of an individual, to a great extent shaped by circumstances. In Canaan the Israelites might learn hardihood, but no room for much growth; few opportunities for national organisation; the tendency would be for the families to separate, each seeking pasturage for its own flocks (cf. Abraham and Lot). To become a nation they had to be placed To attain this object God led his people into Egypt. [Cf. (1) Hothouse where plants may strike and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:8-14

Egypt's sin. I. NATIONAL WRONG - DOING THE SEED OF NATIONAL DISASTER . The story of Egypt's suffering begins with the story of Egypt's injustice. There was wisdom in Pharaoh's statesmanship, and a sincere desire to serve his country, and yet he was his country's worst foe. The service rendered by wickedness is in the end rebuke and ruin. II. THE CARE SOUGHT TO BE REMOVED BY SIN BECOMES GREATER (10-12). 1 . The bondage was imposed to prevent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:8-22

The policy of Pharaoh. I. THE PRINCIPLE OF THE POLICY . This is indicated in Exodus 1:9 , Exodus 1:10 . It was a policy of selfish fear, proceeding upon an unconcealed regard for the supremacy of Egypt. Whatever interfered with that supremacy was to be, if possible, swept completely out of the way. Pharaoh was dealing, not with the necessities of the present, but with the possibilities of the future. He made no pretence that Israel deserved to be dealt with in this... read more

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