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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 1:10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/1-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/02_Exo_01_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 1:10 - Oppression by a New King" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/1-10.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/1-10.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 10</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/1-9.htm" title="Exodus 1:9">◄</a> Exodus 1:10 <a href="/exodus/1-11.htm" title="Exodus 1:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/exodus/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/exodus/1.htm">New International Version</a> 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.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/exodus/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> We must make a plan to keep them from growing even more. If we don’t, and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country.” <a href="/esv/exodus/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” <a href="/bsb/exodus/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” <a href="/kjv/exodus/1.htm">King James Bible</a> Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. <a href="/nkjv/exodus/1.htm">New King James Version</a> come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.” <a href="/nasb_/exodus/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, otherwise they will multiply, and in the event of war, they will also join those who hate us, and fight against us and depart from the land.” <a href="/nasb/exodus/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Come, let us deal wisely with them, or else they will multiply and in the event of war, they will also join themselves to those who hate us, and fight against us and depart from the land.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/exodus/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply and in the event of war, they also join themselves to those who hate us, and fight against us, and depart from the land.” <a href="/lsb/exodus/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply and it be in the event of war, that they also join themselves to those who hate us and fight against us and go up from the land.” <a href="/amp/exodus/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, so that they will not multiply and in the event of war, join our enemies, and fight against us and escape from the land.” <a href="/csb/exodus/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Come, let’s deal shrewdly with them; otherwise they will multiply further, and when war breaks out, they will join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” <a href="/hcsb/exodus/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Let us deal shrewdly with them; otherwise they will multiply further, and if war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.&#8221 <a href="/asv/exodus/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they also join themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us, and get them up out of the land. <a href="/cev/exodus/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If we don't outsmart them, their families will keep growing larger. And if our country goes to war, they could easily fight on the side of our enemies and escape from Egypt. <a href="/erv/exodus/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> come, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they also join themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us, and get them up out of the land. <a href="/gwt/exodus/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> We have to outsmart them, or they'll increase in number. Then, if war breaks out, they will join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country." <a href="/gnt/exodus/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> In case of war they might join our enemies in order to fight against us, and might escape from the country. We must find some way to keep them from becoming even more numerous." <a href="/isv/exodus/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> Come on, let's be careful how we treat them, so that when they grow numerous, if a war breaks out they won't join our enemies, fight against us, and leave our land." <a href="/msb/exodus/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.? <a href="/net/exodus/1.htm">NET Bible</a> Come, let's deal wisely with them. Otherwise they will continue to multiply, and if a war breaks out, they will ally themselves with our enemies and fight against us and leave the country." <a href="/nheb/exodus/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it happen that when any war breaks out, they also join themselves to our enemies, and fight against us, and escape out of the land." <a href="/wbt/exodus/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Come, let us deal wisely with them: lest they multiply, and it shall come to pass, that when there falleth out any war, they will join with our enemies, and fight against us, and depart from the land. <a href="/web/exodus/1.htm">World English Bible</a> Come, let’s deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it happen that when any war breaks out, they also join themselves to our enemies and fight against us, and escape out of the land.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/exodus/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Give help! Let us act wisely concerning it, lest it multiply, and it has come to pass, when war happens, that it has been joined, even it, to those hating us, and has fought against us, and has gone up out of the land.” <a href="/ylt/exodus/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> give help! let us act wisely concerning it, lest it multiply, and it hath come to pass, when war happeneth, that it hath been joined, even it, unto those hating us, and hath fought against us, and hath gone out up of the land.' <a href="/slt/exodus/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Come, we will be wise with them, lest they shall multiply, and it was when war shall happen, and also being added to our armies and fighting against us, and they went up from the land.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/exodus/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Come, let us wisely oppress them, lest they multiply: and if any war shall rise against us, join with our enemies, and having overcome us, depart out of the land. <a href="/cpdv/exodus/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Come, let us wisely oppress them, lest they multiply; and if any war should advance against us, they may be added to our enemies, and having fought against us, they might depart from the land.” <a href="/nabre/exodus/1.htm">New American Bible</a> Come, let us deal shrewdly with them to stop their increase; otherwise, in time of war they too may join our enemies to fight against us, and so leave the land.” <a href="/nrsvce/exodus/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/exodus/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Come, let us deal wisely with them, before they multiply, lest when we chance to be at war, they will be added also to our enemies, and fight against us, and so drive us out of the land. <a href="/hpbt/exodus/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Grant that we will be wise concerning them before they are multiplied, lest we come to war and they are added also unto our haters, and they will fight with us and they will drive us out from the land.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/exodus/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there befalleth us any war, they also join themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us, and get them up out of the land.' <a href="/sep/exodus/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> come then, let us deal craftily with them, lest at any time they be increased, and whensoever war shall happen to us, these also shall be added to our enemies, and having prevailed against us in war, they will depart out of the land. <a href="/parallel/exodus/1-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=51" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/exodus/1.htm">Oppression by a New King</a> …9“Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. 10<a href="/hebrew/3051.htm" title="3051: hā·ḇāh (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To give. A primitive root; to give; generally, to put; imperatively come.">Come,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2449.htm" title="2449: niṯ·ḥak·kə·māh (V-Hitpael-Imperf.Cohort-1cp) -- To be wise. A primitive root, to be wise.">let us deal shrewdly</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">with them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: yir·beh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">they will increase even more;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and if</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: mil·ḥā·māh (N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">a war</a> <a href="/hebrew/7122.htm" title="7122: ṯiq·re·nāh (V-Qal-Imperf-3fp) -- To encounter, befall. A primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner.">breaks out,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3254.htm" title="3254: wə·nō·w·sap̄ (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To add. A primitive root; to add or augment.">may join</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8130.htm" title="8130: śō·nə·’ê·nū (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 1cp) -- To hate. A primitive root; to hate.">our enemies,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3898.htm" title="3898: wə·nil·ḥam- (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To feed on, to consume, to battle. A primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle.">fight</a> <a href="/hebrew/bā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">against us,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: wə·‘ā·lāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">and leave</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses."></a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the country.”</a> 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/11-4.htm">Genesis 11:4</a> “Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.” <a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13-14</a> 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. <a href="/acts/7-19.htm">Acts 7:19</a> He exploited our people and oppressed our fathers, forcing them to abandon their infants so they would die. <a href="/psalms/105-25.htm">Psalm 105:25</a> whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants. <a href="/acts/7-6.htm">Acts 7:6</a> God told him that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. <a href="/genesis/47-11.htm">Genesis 47:11</a> So Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. <a href="/genesis/47-27.htm">Genesis 47:27</a> 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. <a href="/deuteronomy/26-6.htm">Deuteronomy 26:6</a> But the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor. <a href="/nehemiah/9-10.htm">Nehemiah 9:10</a> You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day. <a href="/isaiah/52-4.htm">Isaiah 52:4</a> For this is what the Lord GOD says: “At first My people went down to Egypt to live, then Assyria oppressed them without cause. <a href="/exodus/12-33.htm">Exodus 12:33</a> And in order to send them out of the land quickly, the Egyptians urged the people on. “For otherwise,” they said, “we are all going to die!” <a href="/exodus/14-5.htm">Exodus 14:5</a> When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” <a href="/exodus/14-9.htm">Exodus 14:9</a> The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi-hahiroth, opposite Baal-zephon. <a href="/exodus/15-9.htm">Exodus 15:9</a> The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’ <a href="/numbers/22-6.htm">Numbers 22:6</a> So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falls out any war, they join also to our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.Come on.<a href="/psalms/10-2.htm">Psalm 10:2</a> The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.<a href="/psalms/83-3.htm">Psalm 83:3,4</a> They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones… <a href="/proverbs/1-11.htm">Proverbs 1:11</a> If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:wisely.<a href="/numbers/22-6.htm">Numbers 22:6</a> Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.<a href="/job/5-13.htm">Job 5:13</a> He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.<a href="/psalms/105-25.htm">Psalm 105:25</a> He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-19.htm">Befalleth</a> <a href="/genesis/32-26.htm">Breaks</a> <a href="/genesis/47-29.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/genesis/49-8.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/genesis/45-7.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/galatians/3-8.htm">Event</a> <a href="/genesis/50-1.htm">Falleth</a> <a href="/genesis/32-28.htm">Fight</a> <a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/genesis/34-9.htm">Join</a> <a href="/exodus/1-7.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/genesis/50-18.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/genesis/31-26.htm">War</a> <a href="/james/3-13.htm">Wisely</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-19.htm">Befalleth</a> <a href="/exodus/22-6.htm">Breaks</a> <a href="/exodus/5-15.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/exodus/6-11.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/exodus/23-22.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-37.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/exodus/12-24.htm">Event</a> <a href="/exodus/15-16.htm">Falleth</a> <a href="/exodus/14-14.htm">Fight</a> <a href="/exodus/20-5.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Join</a> <a href="/exodus/1-20.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/exodus/5-7.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/exodus/13-17.htm">War</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-29.htm">Wisely</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 1</div>1. <a href="/exodus/1-1.htm">The children of Israel, after Joseph's death, increase.</a> 8. <a href="/exodus/1-8.htm">The more they are oppressed by a new king, the more they multiply.</a> 15. <a href="/exodus/1-15.htm">The godliness of the midwives in saving the male children alive.</a> 22. <a href="/exodus/1-22.htm">Pharaoh commands the male children to be cast into the river</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Come, let us deal shrewdly with them This phrase reflects the Egyptian Pharaoh's strategic and cunning approach to the growing population of the Israelites. The use of "deal shrewdly" indicates a calculated plan to suppress the Israelites, who were seen as a threat due to their rapid multiplication. This echoes the serpent's cunning in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3:1</a>, where deceit and manipulation are used to achieve a desired outcome. The Pharaoh's fear-driven policy contrasts with God's promise to Abraham in <a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2</a>, where God promises to make Abraham's descendants a great nation.or they will increase even more The concern over the Israelites' increasing numbers highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars (<a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a>). This growth is seen as a divine blessing, yet it becomes a source of fear for the Egyptians. The tension between divine blessing and human fear is a recurring theme in the Bible, illustrating how God's plans often transcend human understanding and control.and if a war breaks out This phrase suggests a fear of potential conflict, possibly with neighboring nations or internal uprisings. Historically, Egypt was a powerful empire, but it faced threats from surrounding regions. The Pharaoh's concern reflects a common ancient Near Eastern practice of preemptively dealing with potential threats to maintain power and stability. This fear of war underscores the political and military tensions of the time.they may join our enemies The possibility of the Israelites allying with Egypt's enemies reveals the Pharaoh's paranoia and distrust. This fear of betrayal is reminiscent of later biblical narratives, such as the alliances and conflicts during the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah. It also foreshadows the Israelites' eventual role in God's plan to establish a kingdom that transcends earthly alliances.fight against us The fear of the Israelites turning against the Egyptians highlights the potential for internal rebellion. This concern is rooted in the Egyptians' awareness of the Israelites' growing strength and numbers. It reflects a broader biblical theme of the oppressed rising against their oppressors, as seen in the eventual Exodus from Egypt, which is a type of Christ's deliverance of humanity from sin.and leave the country The fear of the Israelites leaving Egypt points to the economic and labor implications for the Egyptians. The Israelites were a significant labor force, and their departure would have had a substantial impact on Egypt's economy. This foreshadows the eventual Exodus, where God delivers His people from bondage, symbolizing spiritual liberation. The departure from Egypt is a precursor to the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ, who frees believers from the bondage of sin.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a> The ruler of Egypt who felt threatened by the growing population of the Israelites and sought to oppress them. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The descendants of Jacob living in Egypt, whose increasing numbers caused fear among the Egyptians. 3. <a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a> The land where the Israelites were living and multiplying, leading to the Egyptians' fear of their potential power. 4. <a href="/topical/e/enemies.htm">Enemies</a> The potential adversaries of Egypt that Pharaoh feared the Israelites might join in case of war. 5. <a href="/topical/o/oppression.htm">Oppression</a> The event and strategy initiated by Pharaoh to subdue the Israelites through forced labor and harsh treatment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/fear_and_control.htm">Fear and Control</a> Pharaoh's fear led to oppressive control. Fear can lead to irrational decisions that harm others. We must trust God rather than act out of fear. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> Despite Pharaoh's plans, God's purposes for Israel were not thwarted. Trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem dire. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_adversity.htm">Faithfulness in Adversity</a> The Israelites' growth despite oppression is a testament to God's faithfulness. We can remain faithful and trust God to work through our trials. <a href="/topical/h/human_schemes_vs._divine_plans.htm">Human Schemes vs. Divine Plans</a> Human attempts to thwart God's plans are ultimately futile. Aligning with God's will is essential for true success. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_unity.htm">Community and Unity</a> The Israelites' unity was seen as a threat. In the body of Christ, unity is a strength that should be fostered for God's glory.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 1</a> <a href="/q/why_reveal_only_to_israelites,_not_all.htm">If God created all people, why did He only reveal Himself to the Israelites in the Old Testament?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'baptized_into_moses'_mean.htm">In 1 Corinthians 10:2, what does it mean for the Israelites to be 'baptized into Moses,' and how does this align with historical accounts of their exodus?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_god_silent_in_psalm_83_1.htm">Why does Psalm 83:1 depict God as silent in the face of a dire threat, despite other scriptures portraying Him as actively intervening?</a> <a href="/q/did_philistines_control_beth-shan.htm">Is there archaeological evidence of the Philistines controlling Beth-shan (1 Samuel 31:10) and displaying enemy bodies on its walls?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) Let us deal wisely.--Instead of open force, the king proposes stratagem. He thinks that he has hit upon a wise scheme--a clever plan--by which the numbers of the Israelites will be kept down, and they will cease to be formidable. The nature of the plan appears in <a href="/exodus/1-11.htm" title="Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.">Exodus 1:11</a>.When there falleth out any war.--The Egyptians were in general an aggressive people--a terror to their neighbours, and seldom the object of attack. But about the beginning of the nineteenth dynasty a change took place. "A great nation grew up beyond the frontier on the north-east to an importance and power which began to endanger the Egyptian supremacy in Western Asia" (Brugsch, History of Egypt, vol. ii. p. 2). War threatened them from this quarter, and the impending danger was felt to be great.They join also.--Rather, they too join. It was not.likely that the Hebrews would have any real sympathy with the attacking nation, whether Arabs, Philistines, Syrians, or Hittites; but they might regard an invasion as affording them a good opportunity of striking a blow for freedom, and, therefore, attack the Egyptians simultaneously with their other foes. The Egyptians themselves would perhaps suppose a closer connection between them and the other Eastern races than really existed.Get them up out of the land.--The Pharaohs of the nineteenth dynasty were excessively jealous of the withdrawal from Egypt of any of their subjects, and endeavoured both to hinder and to recover them. Immigration was encouraged, emigration sternly checked. The loss of the entire nation of the Hebrews could not be contemplated without extreme alarm.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 10. - Come on. The "Come then" of Kalisch is better. Let us deal wisely. "The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light." Severe grinding labour has often been used as a means of keeping down the aspirations of a people, if not of actually diminishing their numbers, and has been found to answer. Aristotle (Pol. 5:9) ascribes to this motive the building of the Pyramids and the great works of Polycrates of Samos, Pisistratus of Athens, and the Cypselidae of Corinth. The constructions of the last Tarquin are thought to have had the same object (Liv. 1:56; Niebuhr, 'Roman History,' vol. 1. p. 479). Lest, when there falleth out any war, they join also to our enemies. 'At the accession of the nineteenth dynasty, though there was peace, war threatened. While the Egyptians, under the later monarchs of the eighteenth dynasty, had been quarrelling among themselves, a great nation upon their borders "had been growing up to an importance and power which began to endanger the Egyptian supremacy in Western Asia" (Brugsch, 'History of Egypt,' vol. 2. p. 2). Both Rameses I. and his son Seti had almost immediately after their accession to engage in a war, which was rather defensive the, offensive, with the Khita, or Hittites, who were the great power of Syria (ib. pp. 9, 15, 16). At the commencement of his reign, Seti may well have feared a renewed invasion like that of the Hyksos, which would no doubt have been greatly helped by a rising of the Israelites. And so get them up out of the land. Literally, "And go up out of the land." The Pharaoh already fears that the Israelites will quit Egypt. As men of peaceful and industrious habits, and in some cases of considerable wealth (Joseph. 'Ant. Jud.' 2:9, § 1), they at once increased the strength of Egypt and the revenue of the monarch. Egypt was always ready to receive refugees, and loth to lose them. We find in a treaty made by Rameses II., the son of Seti, with the Hittites, a proviso that any Egyptian subjects who quit the country, and transfer themselves to the dominion of the Hittite king, shall be sent back to Egypt ('Records of the Past,' vol. 4. p. 30). <a href="/commentaries/exodus/1-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Come, הָ֥בָה (hā·ḇāh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3051.htm">Strong's 3051: </a> To give, to put, imperatively, come we must deal shrewdly with them, נִֽתְחַכְּמָ֖ה (niṯ·ḥak·kə·māh) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2449.htm">Strong's 2449: </a> To be wise or פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> Removal, lest they will increase even more; יִרְבֶּ֗ה (yir·beh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> To be or become much, many or great and if וְהָיָ֞ה (wə·hā·yāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be a war מִלְחָמָה֙ (mil·ḥā·māh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> A battle, war breaks out, תִקְרֶ֤אנָה (ṯiq·re·nāh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7122.htm">Strong's 7122: </a> To encounter, befall they הוּא֙ (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are may join וְנוֹסַ֤ף (wə·nō·w·sap̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3254.htm">Strong's 3254: </a> To add, augment our enemies, שֹׂ֣נְאֵ֔ינוּ (śō·nə·’ê·nū) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8130.htm">Strong's 8130: </a> To hate fight against us, וְנִלְחַם־ (wə·nil·ḥam-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3898.htm">Strong's 3898: </a> To feed on, to consume, to battle and leave וְעָלָ֥ה (wə·‘ā·lāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively the country.” הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/exodus/1-10.htm">OT Law: Exodus 1:10 Come let us deal wisely with them (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/1-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 1:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 1:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/1-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 1:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 1:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>