Exodus 1:12 kjv

But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

Exodus 1:12 nkjv

But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel.

Exodus 1:12 niv

But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites

Exodus 1:12 esv

But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel.

Exodus 1:12 nlt

But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became.

Exodus 1 verses

Exodus 1 12 Meaning

Exodus 1:12 reveals a powerful divine paradox: the more the Egyptians oppressed the Israelites, the more the Israelites proliferated and strengthened. Pharaoh's strategies, designed to diminish and control the burgeoning Hebrew population, directly backfired, leading to an explosive growth that not only continued but also intensified. This unprecedented multiplication resulted in deep fear and apprehension among the Egyptians, who increasingly dreaded the sheer numbers and vigor of the people of Israel. The verse highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness in preserving and multiplying His covenant people despite intense human opposition, turning what was intended for evil into a demonstration of divine power and promise fulfillment.

Exodus 1 12 Context

Exodus 1 sets the stage for the dramatic narrative of Israel's deliverance. Following the peaceful period under Joseph, a new pharaoh arose in Egypt who did not acknowledge Joseph's past contributions. Concerned by the exponential growth of the Israelite population, this pharaoh perceived them as a potential internal threat who might side with an enemy in times of war. To curb their numbers and exploit their strength, he initiated a systematic program of severe oppression, subjecting them to harsh labor, compelling them to build store cities like Pithom and Raamses.

Verse 12 directly describes the ironic and divinely counter-intuitive outcome of this policy. Pharaoh's attempt to diminish them inadvertently facilitated their expansion, pushing them to new heights of fertility and vigor. This unprecedented growth filled the Egyptians with a deep-seated dread and aversion toward the Israelites. This immediate context leads directly to Pharaoh's subsequent, even more horrific measures of attempted infanticide (killing Hebrew baby boys, vv. 15-22), which further highlights the escalating conflict between human malice and divine promise, culminating in God's redemptive intervention. The historical setting is the New Kingdom period in Egypt, known for its powerful pharaohs and large-scale building projects. The Israelites' plight embodies the suffering of an enslaved, burgeoning minority population whose flourishing defied their captors' every intention and act.

Exodus 1 12 Word Analysis

• "But" (וְכַאֲשֶׁר, v’kha’asher): This conjunctive phrase introduces a strong contrast and an inverse causal relationship. It highlights the direct opposition between Pharaoh's actions and the unexpected, God-ordained result. Despite the affliction, this happened.
• "the more they afflicted them": The Hebrew root ענה ('anah) implies debasement, oppression, and humiliation, signifying systematic and cruel subjection through forced labor. It describes persistent, intense suffering inflicted upon the Israelites. This phrase emphasizes the escalating nature of the suffering designed to break their spirit and deplete their numbers.
• "the more they multiplied" (יִרְבֶּה, yirbeh from רָבָה rabah): Rabah means to become many, numerous, or great. This indicates a sheer increase in population.
• "and grew" (יִפְרֹץ, yifrotz from פָּרַץ paratz): Paratz conveys the idea of bursting forth, breaking through, or spreading out. It implies not just numerical increase but a dynamic, unstoppable expansion that overcomes limitations and resistance. This growth was vigorous, breaking through the normal bounds expected under severe conditions, almost like an overflowing flood.
• "so that they were in dread" (וַיָּקֻצוּ, vayyakutsu from קוּץ quts): This word signifies a deep revulsion, dread, abhorrence, or sickening fear. It goes beyond simple concern to express an inward loathing and intense discomfort, suggesting the Egyptians found the Israelites' unstoppable growth disturbing and repugnant, coupled with a growing sense of alarm about their numbers.
• "of the people of Israel": This specific designation, literally "children of Israel" (b'nei Yisrael), reminds the reader of their covenant identity. It identifies them not merely as a generic enslaved people (Hebrews) but as God's chosen descendants of Jacob/Israel, emphasizing their unique status and the divine protection over them, even in bondage. The fear was directed precisely at this distinct people group.

Words-group by Words-group analysis:

• "But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew": This powerful statement reveals the central irony and divine providence. Pharaoh's plan to weaken Israel was divinely subverted, leading to the opposite effect. The very act of oppression became the catalyst for greater blessing and expansion, demonstrating God's ultimate control over human endeavors and His faithfulness to His covenant promises of fruitfulness despite hostile conditions. This highlights a principle where God uses adversity to bring about greater strength and spread among His people.
• "so that they were in dread of the people of Israel": This phrase describes the psychological impact on the oppressors. Their attempts at suppression led not to victory, but to profound fear and apprehension. This fear of the rapidly growing, supernaturally resilient Israelite population eventually prompted more extreme and morally reprehensible measures from Pharaoh (e.g., infanticide), intensifying the divine conflict and setting the stage for God's ultimate and magnificent deliverance. Their dread testifies to the clear sign of God's hand at work among Israel.

Exodus 1 12 Bonus Section

• Polemics against Egyptian gods: Pharaoh's attempt to control fertility directly challenged the Egyptian pantheon's control over life and nature (e.g., fertility deities like Min and Taweret, or even Ra, the sun god as creator). Yahweh's defiance of Pharaoh's decree through Israel's miraculous multiplication was a powerful demonstration of His exclusive sovereignty over life, growth, and prosperity, subtly dismantling the perceived power of Egypt's gods.
• Seeds of Resistance and Faith: Though not explicitly stated, the Israelites' continued fruitfulness demonstrates an underlying spiritual vitality and resilience. Despite their suffering, God continued to sustain and bless them, encouraging a flicker of hope and reinforcing their identity as His distinct people. This divine favor would become the bedrock of their faith when Moses later called them to trust in the Lord for deliverance.
• Prophetic foreshadowing: This pattern—persecution leading to paradoxical growth and the enemy's fear—reappears throughout biblical history, especially in the early Christian church. The Roman persecution of early Christians, rather than annihilating the faith, led to its rapid spread and increased devotion, creating fear and awe among pagan populations (Acts 5:38-39). This highlights a continuous divine principle of bringing life and triumph out of suffering.
• Divine Catalyst: The "affliction" (ענה, 'anah) was not merely human cruelty but became, in God's paradoxical plan, a catalyst for remembering the covenant and calling out to Him. This intense suffering laid the groundwork for the urgent cries of the Israelites (Exod 2:23-25), prompting God's divine "remembrance" and the initiation of the Exodus.

Exodus 1 12 Commentary

Exodus 1:12 serves as a pivotal verse, encapsulating the conflict between Pharaoh's oppressive human will and God's sovereign divine will. Pharaoh intended to limit Israel's growth and power, but God’s plan of multiplication, rooted in His covenant promises to Abraham (Gen 12:2; 22:17), could not be thwarted. The phrase "the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew" illustrates a powerful spiritual paradox: that adversity, when faced by God's chosen people, can become the very catalyst for their growth and expansion. This is not merely numerical increase but a "breaking forth" (פָּרַץ, paratz) into a vibrant, robust presence, defying natural expectations under such severe bondage.

This supernatural resilience struck terror into the hearts of the Egyptians, signifying that their fear was not simply of a growing workforce, but an innate dread of a people whose prosperity seemingly defied all logic and their control. This dread underscores the hidden power of the God of Israel, whose blessing made His people too formidable for their oppressors. The verse sets the stage for God's mighty acts of deliverance, showcasing how escalating oppression ultimately provoked God's intervention, making His salvation all the more glorious and His power undeniably manifest in history. It implicitly argues against the impotency of Egyptian deities and the futility of human kings when opposing the divine agenda, proclaiming God's unwavering faithfulness even through suffering.