Exodus 1:7 kjv

And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

Exodus 1:7 nkjv

But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.

Exodus 1:7 niv

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

Exodus 1:7 esv

But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.

Exodus 1:7 nlt

But their descendants, the Israelites, had many children and grandchildren. In fact, they multiplied so greatly that they became extremely powerful and filled the land.

Exodus 1 verses

Exodus 1 7 Meaning

Exodus 1:7 describes the extraordinary and miraculous proliferation of the Israelite people in Egypt. It portrays them as divinely blessed with extreme fruitfulness, multiplying tremendously, increasing in immense numbers, and becoming exceedingly mighty and vast, ultimately filling the land. This unprecedented population growth serves as a powerful demonstration of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Exodus 1 7 Context

Exodus 1:7 marks a pivotal transition point in the biblical narrative, connecting the patriarchal history in Genesis with the formation of the nation of Israel in Exodus. Having come into Egypt as a small family (70 persons, Exod 1:5), this verse immediately details their rapid and astonishing growth, positioning them as a burgeoning multitude even before a new Pharaoh arises to oppress them (Exod 1:8). The extraordinary fruitfulness is presented as the direct fulfillment of God's solemn covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—promises of countless descendants and a great nation. Historically, such demographic growth could naturally create social tension, but the biblical text portrays it as a divinely orchestrated fulfillment, thereby setting the stage for the dramatic conflict between Pharaoh's oppressive power and God's sovereign plan of redemption. The miraculous expansion of Israel’s population fundamentally underscores God’s unfailing faithfulness and serves as the underlying catalyst for the entire narrative of their liberation from Egypt.

Exodus 1 7 Word analysis

• But the Israelites: This introduces the central focus, emphasizing that this significant population boom applies specifically to the descendants of Jacob, God's covenant people.
• were exceedingly fruitful (פָּרוּ - paru from פָּרָה, parah): This verb signifies productive breeding and abundant progeny. It powerfully echoes God's primal blessing to all creation to "be fruitful and multiply" (Gen 1:28) and directly recalls the divine promises of overwhelming fertility made repeatedly to the patriarchs (e.g., Gen 17:6, "I will make you exceedingly fruitful"). This word emphasizes the divine origin and nature of their prolific increase.
• they multiplied greatly (וַיִּשְׁרְצוּ - vayyishretzu from שָׁרַץ, sharatz): This particularly vivid verb means "to swarm," "teem," or "abound," commonly used for prolific, lower forms of life like fish or insects (e.g., Gen 1:20; Lev 11:29). Its application to humans underscores a highly intense, almost explosive and overwhelming proliferation beyond normal human experience, suggesting a supernatural acceleration by divine design. It conveys an image of uncountable masses, contributing to Pharaoh's subsequent fear.
• increased in number (וַיִּרְבּוּ - vayyirbu from רָבָה, rabah): This is a more general term for quantitative growth and multiplication, commonly used in various contexts to denote numerical increase. It further solidifies the theme of their population expansion.
• and became so numerous (וַיַּעַצְמוּ - vayya'atsmu from עָצַם, atsam): This verb means "to be strong," "mighty," or "vast." Applied to population, it conveys not just immense quantity, but also implies strength, power, and significance derived from such numbers. Their numerical vastness translates into a formidable, potent presence.
• exceedingly (בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד - bim'od me'od): This repeated Hebrew intensifier, "very, very much," emphatically underscores the preceding verbs, amplifying the degree of fruitfulness, multiplication, and strength. It highlights the unprecedented and almost miraculous nature of Israel's growth, suggesting that this was far from a natural increase.
• and the land was filled with them: This phrase creates a powerful visual image, indicating that the Israelites had become so numerous that they permeated and populated the entire territory, implying both their vast numbers and their widespread presence throughout the land of Egypt. This saturation underscores their visibility and significance.

Words-group analysis:

• "were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in number and became so numerous": The four successive verbs, each with unique nuances of abundance and growth, create a strong rhetorical progression. This literary device emphasizes the divine power at work, moving from initial fertility to an overwhelming, mighty population, highlighting the incredible and continuous nature of God's blessing. This repetition underscores the miraculous quality of their rapid demographic expansion.
• "exceedingly… filled the land": The use of the double intensive "exceedingly" with the culminating phrase "the land was filled with them" stresses the dramatic scale and tangible impact of Israel's proliferation. This serves as both a grand declaration of divine fulfillment and the primary motivation for Pharaoh’s subsequent oppressive policies.

Exodus 1 7 Bonus section

• The growth described in Exodus 1:7 positions the Israelites as not just numerous, but strong and resilient, thus making Pharaoh's subsequent actions in Exodus 1:8-11 an act of pre-emptive oppression against a perceived demographic and economic threat, rather than simply arbitrary cruelty.
• The covenantal fulfillment in this verse is paramount, showing God working even when Abraham’s descendants are slaves. The "filling the land" imagery evokes the universal mandate of filling the earth from creation, but here, specifically, it anticipates Israel's eventual filling of the promised land of Canaan (Deut 6:11; Josh 24:13).
• The supernatural aspect of their growth is often overlooked. Commentators highlight that such exponential growth, even over several centuries, suggests a direct, active divine intervention rather than just a natural birth rate. This miraculous increase sets the stage for a truly divine intervention of rescue.

Exodus 1 7 Commentary

Exodus 1:7 is a theological cornerstone, underscoring God's absolute faithfulness to His covenant promises made to the patriarchs. The unparalleled description of Israel’s growth through four escalating verbs—"fruitful," "multiplied," "increased," and "became so numerous"—culminating in the emphatic "exceedingly" (twice) and the powerful visual of "filling the land," testifies to a divinely accelerated, supernatural population boom, not mere biological reproduction. The intentional use of "swarm" (שרץ), often describing the rapid proliferation of creatures, underscores the miraculous and unstoppable nature of God's blessing. This verse lays the essential groundwork for the entire Exodus narrative: Pharaoh's subsequent fear (Exod 1:9) and attempts to control and crush the Israelites directly clash with God's life-giving power and His commitment to His covenant. Ultimately, it demonstrates that human schemes, even those of a powerful king like Pharaoh, cannot thwart God’s divine plan to raise up His people and redeem them for His glory. This massive multiplication signifies that the tiny family of Abraham had indeed become a mighty nation, ready for liberation and the unique role God intended for them.