Exodus 1:12
New International Version
But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites

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

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.

Berean Literal Bible
And as they afflicted him, so he multiplied and so he burst forth. And they were in dread from the face of the sons of Israel.

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

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

New American Standard Bible
But the more they oppressed them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out, so that they dreaded the sons of Israel.

NASB 1995
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out, so that they were in dread of the sons of Israel.

NASB 1977
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out, so that they were in dread of the sons of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out, so that they were in dread of the sons of Israel.

Amplified Bible
But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more they multiplied and expanded, so that the Egyptians dreaded and were exasperated by the Israelites.

Berean Annotated Bible
But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites (God prevails).

Christian Standard Bible
But the more they oppressed them, the more they multiplied and spread so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the more they oppressed them, the more they multiplied and spread so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.

American Standard Version
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
But even though the Israelites were mistreated, their families grew larger, and they took over more land. Because of this, the Egyptians feared them worse than before

English Revised Version
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the more the Israelites were oppressed, the more they increased in number and spread out. The Egyptians couldn't stand them [any longer].

Good News Translation
But the more the Egyptians oppressed the Israelites, the more they increased in number and the farther they spread through the land. The Egyptians came to fear the Israelites

International Standard Version
But the more the Egyptians afflicted the Israelis, the more they multiplied and flourished, so that the Egyptians became terrified of the Israelis.

NET Bible
But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more they multiplied and spread. As a result the Egyptians loathed the Israelites,

New Heart English Bible
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. And the Egyptians were in dread of the children of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.

World English Bible
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. They started to dread the children of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and as they afflict it, so it multiplies, and so it breaks forth, and they are distressed because of the sons of Israel;

Berean Literal Bible
And as they afflicted him, so he multiplied and so he burst forth. And they were in dread from the face of the sons of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
and as they afflict it, so it multiplieth, and so it breaketh forth, and they are vexed because of the sons of Israel;

Smith's Literal Translation
And as they will afflict them, so they will multiply and will increase. And they will feel disgust from the face of the sons of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the more they oppressed them, the more they were multiplied, and increased:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the more they oppressed them, so much more did they multiply and increase.

New American Bible
Yet the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians began to loathe the Israelites.

New Revised Standard Version
But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the more they oppressed them, the more they multiplied and became strong. And the Egyptians were grieved because of the children of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And as much as those oppressed them, so they were multiplying, and thus they were growing strong, and it was distressing them before the children of Israel.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were adread because of the children of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But as they humbled them, by so much they multiplied, and grew exceedingly strong; and the Egyptians greatly abhorred the children of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Oppression by a New King
11So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. 13They worked the Israelites ruthlessly…

Cross References
But the more they were oppressed,

Deuteronomy 26:6
But the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor.

Psalm 129:1-2
A song of ascents. Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth—let Israel now declare— / many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me.

Ecclesiastes 4:1
Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.
the more they multiplied and flourished;

Genesis 47:27
Now the Israelites settled in the land of Egypt, in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and became fruitful and increased greatly in number.

Psalm 92:12-14
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. / Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. / In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain,

Deuteronomy 1:10
The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky.
so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.

Psalm 105:38
Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of Israel had fallen on them.

Exodus 14:25
He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!”

Deuteronomy 2:25
This very day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon all the nations under heaven. They will hear the reports of you and tremble in anguish because of you.”
Acts 7:17-19
As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased greatly in number. / Then another king, who knew nothing of Joseph, arose over Egypt. / He exploited our people and oppressed our fathers, forcing them to abandon their infants so they would die.

Genesis 15:13-14
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.

Psalm 105:24-25
And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes, / whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants.

Acts 7:6
God told him that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.

Exodus 3:9
And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them.

Exodus 12:37
The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children.

Deuteronomy 26:5
and you are to declare before the LORD your God, “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt few in number and lived there and became a great nation, mighty and numerous.


Treasury of Scripture

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

but the more.

Psalm 105:24
And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.

Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

grieved.

Exodus 1:9
And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:

Job 5:2
For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

Proverbs 27:4
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

Jump to Previous
Abroad Afflict Afflicted Breaketh Children Cruel Distressed Dread Egyptians Forth Full Grew Grieved Hated Increased Israel Israelites Multiplied Multiplieth Oppressed Spread Vexed
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Abroad Afflict Afflicted Breaketh Children Cruel Distressed Dread Egyptians Forth Full Grew Grieved Hated Increased Israel Israelites Multiplied Multiplieth Oppressed Spread Vexed
Exodus 1
1. The children of Israel, after Joseph's death, increase.
8. The more they are oppressed by a new king, the more they multiply.
15. The godliness of the midwives in saving the male children alive.
22. Pharaoh commands the male children to be cast into the river












But the more they were oppressed
The oppression of the Israelites in Egypt began after the death of Joseph and the rise of a new Pharaoh who did not know him. This Pharaoh feared the growing population of the Israelites and sought to suppress them through forced labor. This phrase highlights a recurring biblical theme where God's people often face persecution and hardship. Historically, the oppression included harsh labor conditions, as described in Exodus 1:11, where the Israelites were forced to build store cities for Pharaoh. This oppression can be seen as a test of faith and endurance, similar to the trials faced by other biblical figures such as Job.

the more they multiplied and flourished
Despite the harsh conditions, the Israelites continued to grow in number and strength. This multiplication can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:2, where God promised to make Abraham's descendants a great nation. The flourishing of the Israelites under oppression is a testament to God's providence and faithfulness. It also serves as a type of Christ, who, despite persecution and suffering, brought forth salvation and growth for the Church. This resilience is echoed in the New Testament, where the early Church grew despite persecution (Acts 8:1-4).

so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites
The Egyptians' dread of the Israelites reflects a common biblical motif where the enemies of God's people fear their growth and potential. This fear led to further attempts to suppress the Israelites, including the decree to kill all newborn Hebrew boys (Exodus 1:22). The dread can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to make Israel a powerful nation that would be a source of blessing and fear to others (Genesis 12:3). This situation foreshadows the eventual Exodus, where God's power would be displayed through the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, leading to the liberation of His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Israelites
The descendants of Jacob, also known as the children of Israel, who were living in Egypt and experiencing oppression under Pharaoh's rule.

2. Egyptians
The people of Egypt, who were led by Pharaoh and became increasingly fearful and oppressive towards the Israelites.

3. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt who initiated the oppression of the Israelites due to fear of their growing numbers and potential power.

4. Oppression
The harsh treatment and forced labor imposed on the Israelites by the Egyptians in an attempt to control their population and power.

5. Multiplication and Flourishing
Despite the oppression, the Israelites continued to grow in number and strength, which was a testament to God's blessing and faithfulness.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Adversity
Despite human attempts to thwart God's plans, His purposes prevail. The Israelites' growth under oppression demonstrates God's sovereign control over circumstances.

Faithfulness in Trials
The Israelites' experience encourages believers to remain faithful and trust in God's promises, even when facing difficult situations.

The Power of God's Blessing
God's blessing is not hindered by external circumstances. The flourishing of the Israelites under oppression is a testament to the power of divine blessing.

Fear and Oppression
The Egyptians' fear led to oppression, showing how fear can drive people to act unjustly. Believers are called to trust in God rather than succumb to fear.

God's Deliverance
The account of the Israelites in Egypt foreshadows God's ultimate deliverance through Christ. It reminds believers of the hope and deliverance found in Jesus.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Exodus 1:12?

2. How does Exodus 1:12 demonstrate God's faithfulness despite oppression?

3. What can we learn about resilience from the Israelites' experience in Exodus 1:12?

4. How does Exodus 1:12 connect to God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-14?

5. In what ways can we apply the principle of thriving under adversity today?

6. How does Exodus 1:12 encourage us to trust God's plan during difficult times?

7. How does Exodus 1:12 demonstrate God's power in adversity?

8. Why did the Israelites multiply despite oppression in Exodus 1:12?

9. What does Exodus 1:12 reveal about God's covenant with Israel?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 1?

11. How did Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt?

12. Exodus 1:7 – How could the Israelites have multiplied so rapidly in a relatively short period without any historical or scientific evidence supporting such exponential growth?

13. Exodus 12:29 - How can a just and loving God sanction the killing of innocent firstborn children?

14. Exodus 1:11 - Where is the archaeological or historical record for Israelites constructing entire cities such as Pithom and Rameses under forced labor?
What Does Exodus 1:12 Mean
But the more they were oppressed

• “But the more they were oppressed” points to the systematic affliction Pharaoh imposed (Exodus 1:11).

• God had already foretold Israel’s mistreatment in Genesis 15:13–14, assuring Abraham that oppression would not cancel covenant promises.

• Scripture often shows hardship intensifying faith and dependency on the Lord (2 Corinthians 4:8-9; James 1:2-4).

• Human power can never overrule God’s redemptive plan (Psalm 33:10-11).


the more they multiplied and flourished

• “the more they multiplied and flourished” highlights divine increase despite bondage.

• Fulfills earlier blessings: Genesis 17:6; 26:4; 35:11; Exodus 1:7; Deuteronomy 30:9.

• Echoes later growth under trial: Acts 8:1-4 sees the church multiply through persecution.

• Demonstrates that God’s favor is the true source of fruitfulness (Psalm 105:24).


so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites

• “so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites” shows fear replacing Pharaoh’s strategy of control (Exodus 1:9-10).

• God can turn oppressors’ hearts to terror and confusion (Deuteronomy 2:25; Exodus 14:25).

• The dread anticipates future judgments culminating in the plagues (Exodus 7–12) and Red Sea collapse (Exodus 14:30-31).

Psalm 105:25 summarizes this shift: “He turned their hearts to hate His people, to conspire against His servants.”


summary

Exodus 1:12 reveals a recurring biblical pattern: oppression cannot stifle God’s purposes. The harder Egypt pressed, the more God multiplied Israel, fulfilling covenant promises and preparing for deliverance. Human schemes birthed fear, but divine sovereignty produced flourishing, confirming that God’s people thrive not by circumstance but by His faithful hand.

(12) The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew.--This result was not natural. It can only be ascribed to God's superintending Providence, whereby "the fierceness of man" was made to "turn to his praise." Naturally, severe and constant labour exhausts a nation, and causes its numbers to diminish.

They were grieved.--This is scarcely strong enough. Translate, "They were sore distressed."

Verse 12. - They were grieved because of the children of Israel. The word grieved very insufficiently renders the Hebrew verb, which "expresses a mixture of loathing and alarm" ('Speaker's Commentary,' vol. 1. pt. 1, p. 251). Kalisch translates forcibly, if inelegantly - "They had a horror of the children of Israel."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the more they were oppressed,
יְעַנּ֣וּ (yə·‘an·nū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6031: To be bowed down or afflicted

the more they multiplied
יִרְבֶּ֖ה (yir·beh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

and flourished,
יִפְרֹ֑ץ (yip̄·rōṣ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6555: To break through

so that the Egyptians came to dread
וַיָּקֻ֕צוּ (way·yā·qu·ṣū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6973: To feel a loathing, abhorrence, or sickening dread

the Israelites.
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son


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