Exodus 1:9

9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us.

Exodus 1:9 in Other Translations

9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:

9 And he said to his people, "Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us.

9 He said to his people, “Look, the people of Israel now outnumber us and are stronger than we are.

9 He spoke to his people in alarm, "There are way too many of these Israelites for us to handle.

9 He said to his people, "Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and powerful than we are.

Exodus 1:9 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 1:9

And he said unto his people
His princes, nobles, and courtiers about him, his principal ministers of state:

behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than
we:
which could not be true in fact, but is said to stir up his nobles to attend to what he was about to say, and to work upon them to take some speedy measures for the crushing of this people; for that they were more in number, and mightier in power and wealth than the Egyptians, it was impossible; and indeed it may seem strange, that the king should tell such an untruth, which might be so easily contradicted by his courtiers; though the words will bear to be otherwise rendered, as that "the children of Israel are many" ^F15; as they were very greatly multiplied, and became very numerous; and they might be "mightier", that is, more robust and strong, and fitter for war than the Egyptians, and therefore, were formidable, and a people to be guarded against; and it was high time to think of securing themselves from them, before they grew too mighty and powerful; or they might be more numerous and mighty in that part of the land in which they were, in Goshen, though not more and mightier than the Egyptians in general.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 (br) "multus", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius, Rivet.

Exodus 1:9 In-Context

7 but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them.

8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.

9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us.

10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”

11 So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.

Cross References

• 1. S ver 7; Psalms 105:24-25
• 2. S Genesis 26:16