Exodus 1:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 1:1-7

In these verses we have, 1. A recital of the names of the twelve patriarchs, as they are called, Acts 7:8. Their names are often repeated in scripture, that they may not sound uncouth to us, as other hard names, but that, by their occurring so frequently, they may become familiar to us; and to show how precious God's spiritual Israel are to him, and how much he delights in them. 2. The account which was kept of the number of Jacob's family, when they went down into Egypt; they were in all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 1:7

And the children of Israel were fruitful ,.... In their offspring; became like fruitful trees, as the word signifies: and increased abundantly ; like creeping things, or rather like fishes, which increase very much, see Genesis 1:20 . and multiplied ; became very numerous, whereby the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were fulfilled: and waxed exceeding mighty ; were hale, and strong, of good constitutions, able bodied men, and so more dreaded by the Egyptians: a heap... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:7

The children of Israel were fruitful - פרו paru , a general term, signifying that they were like healthy trees, bringing forth an abundance of fruit. And increased - ישרץ yishretsu , they increased like fishes, as the original word implies. See Genesis 1:20 ; (note), and the note there. Abundantly - ירבו yirbu , they multiplied; this is a separate term, and should not have been used as an adverb by our translators. And waxed exceeding mighty - מאד במאד ויעצמו ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:7

Verse 7 7.And the children of Israel were fruitful. (8) To what an extent they increased Moses relates in the 12th chapter, viz., to the number of 600,000, besides women and children; which was certainly an incredible increase for so short a time. For, though 430 years be counted from the date of the covenant with Abraham to the departure of the people, it is clear that half of them had elapsed before Jacob went down into Egypt; so that the Israelites sojourned in that land only 200 years, or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:1-7

Tarry thou the Lord's leisure. Introduction to the Book of Exodus. How much summed up in so few words. When men live history, every month seems important; when God records history a few sentences suffice for generations. Man ' s standpoint in the midst of the tumult is so different from God's: he "sitteth above the waterflood" and seeth "the end from the beginning" ( Psalms 29:10 ; Isaiah 46:10 ). From God's standpoint we have here as of main consequence— I. A LIST OF ... 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

The multiplication of the Israelites in Egypt from "seventy souls" to "six hundred thousand that were men" ( Genesis 12:1-20 :37)—a number which may fairly be said to imply a total of at least two millions—has been declared to be "impossible," and to stamp the whole narrative of Exodus with the character of unreality and romance. Manifestly, the soundness of this criticism depends entirely on two things—first, the length of time- during which the stay in Egypt continued; and secondly, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:7-11

A 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 occasion of uneasiness. Their position in Lower Egypt, so near the frontier, made them dangerous in case of wars. Revolutions were not infrequent, and many things were less likely than a future Hebrew dynasty. Hence the policy of breaking their power, and checking their... 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

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