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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.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/1-8.htm" title="Exodus 1:8">◄</a> Exodus 1:9 <a href="/exodus/1-10.htm" title="Exodus 1:10">►</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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Look,&#8221 he said to his people, &#8220the Israelites have become far too numerous for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He said to his people, “Look, the people of Israel now outnumber us and are stronger than we are.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel <i>are</i> more and mightier than we:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel <i>are</i> more and mightier than we;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are too many and too mighty for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He said to his people, &#8220Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are too many and too mighty for us [they greatly outnumber us].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and powerful than we are.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said to his people, &#8220Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and powerful than we are.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and he told the Egyptians: There are too many of those Israelites in our country, and they are becoming more powerful than we are. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He said to his people, "There are too many Israelites, and they are stronger than we are.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He said to his people, "These Israelites are so numerous and strong that they are a threat to us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He told his people, "Look, the Israeli people are more numerous and more powerful than we are. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Look,? he said to his people, ?the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He said to his people, "Look at the Israelite people, more numerous and stronger than we are!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He said to his people, "Look, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he said to his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he says to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel [are] more numerous and mighty than we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he saith unto his people, 'Lo, the people of the sons of Israel is more numerous and mighty than we;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will say to his people, Behold, the people of the sons of Israel, many, being strong above us.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he said to his people: Behold the people of the children of Israel are numerous and stronger than we. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said to his people: “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are many, and they are stronger than we are.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He said to his people, “See! The Israelite people have multiplied and become more numerous than we are!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he said to his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more numerous and stronger than we;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are many and are mightier than we:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he said unto his people: 'Behold, the people of the children of Israel are too many and too mighty for us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he said to his nation, Behold, the race of the children of Israel is a great multitude, and is stronger than we:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/1-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=44" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/1.htm">Oppression by a New King</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8</span>Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">“Look,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·mōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">his people,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">“the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am (N-msc) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: raḇ (Adj-ms) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">have become too numerous</a> <a href="/hebrew/6099.htm" title="6099: wə·‘ā·ṣūm (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Mighty, numerous. Or matsum; passive participle of atsam; powerful; by implication, numerous.">and too powerful</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">for us.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/47-27.htm">Genesis 47:27</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3</a></span><br />“I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-17.htm">Acts 7:17</a></span><br />As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased greatly in number.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/26-5.htm">Deuteronomy 26:5</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-24.htm">Psalm 105:24</a></span><br />And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13-14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-6.htm">Acts 7:6</a></span><br />God told him that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2</a></span><br />I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-14.htm">Genesis 28:14</a></span><br />Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-11.htm">Genesis 35:11</a></span><br />And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/48-4.htm">Genesis 48:4</a></span><br />and told me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you; I will make you a multitude of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-37.htm">Exodus 12:37</a></span><br />The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/5-5.htm">Exodus 5:5</a></span><br />Pharaoh also said, “Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you would be stopping them from their labor.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/22-3.htm">Numbers 22:3</a></span><br />and Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-10.htm">Deuteronomy 1:10</a></span><br />The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he said to his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:</p><p class="hdg">the people.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/22-4.htm">Numbers 22:4,5</a></b></br> And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all <i>that are</i> round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor <i>was</i> king of the Moabites at that time… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/5-2.htm">Job 5:2</a></b></br> For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/105-24.htm">Psalm 105:24,25</a></b></br> And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/1-7.htm">Children</a> <a href="/genesis/48-19.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/exodus/1-7.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/1-7.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/genesis/26-16.htm">Mightier</a> <a href="/exodus/1-7.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/exodus/1-7.htm">Numerous</a> <a href="/exodus/1-8.htm">Power</a> <a href="/genesis/30-42.htm">Stronger</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/1-12.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/18-11.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/exodus/1-12.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/1-12.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/numbers/14-12.htm">Mightier</a> <a href="/exodus/1-20.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/exodus/1-20.htm">Numerous</a> <a href="/exodus/3-8.htm">Power</a> <a href="/exodus/17-11.htm">Stronger</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/1-1.htm">The children of Israel, after Joseph's death, increase.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/1-8.htm">The more they are oppressed by a new king, the more they multiply.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/1-15.htm">The godliness of the midwives in saving the male children alive.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/1-22.htm">Pharaoh commands the male children to be cast into the river</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>“Look,” he said to his people,</b><br>This phrase introduces the speaker, the new Pharaoh of Egypt, who did not know Joseph. The use of "Look" indicates an urgent call to attention, suggesting a sense of alarm or concern. The Pharaoh is addressing his people, likely his advisors or the Egyptian populace, to highlight a perceived threat. This reflects a shift in Egyptian policy towards the Israelites, moving from a period of favor under Joseph to one of suspicion and hostility. Historically, this change may coincide with a new dynasty in Egypt that felt threatened by the growing Hebrew population.<p><b>“the Israelites have become too numerous</b><br>The Israelites, descendants of Jacob, had settled in Egypt during a time of famine and had grown significantly in number. This phrase underscores 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>). The rapid population growth of the Israelites is seen as a divine blessing, yet it also becomes a source of fear for the Egyptians. This fear of a large foreign population is a common theme in history, where minority groups are often viewed with suspicion by the majority.<p><b>and too powerful for us.</b><br>The perception of the Israelites as "too powerful" suggests that their numbers and potential influence posed a threat to Egyptian sovereignty. This fear may have been exacerbated by the Israelites' distinct cultural and religious identity, which set them apart from the Egyptians. The concern over their power foreshadows the later oppression and enslavement of the Israelites, as Pharaoh seeks to control and diminish their influence. This situation sets the stage for God's deliverance of His people, a central theme in the book of Exodus. The Israelites' eventual exodus from Egypt is a type of Christ's deliverance of humanity from sin, as both involve liberation from bondage and the establishment of a covenant relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt who felt threatened by the growing population of the Israelites. His fear led to the oppression of the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The descendants of Jacob (Israel) who were living in Egypt. They had grown in number and strength, which caused concern for the Egyptians.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites were living as foreigners. It was a place of both refuge and eventual oppression for the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_oppression_of_israel.htm">The Oppression of Israel</a></b><br>This event marks the beginning of the Israelites' suffering in Egypt, which eventually leads to their deliverance through Moses.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_fear_of_the_egyptians.htm">The Fear of the Egyptians</a></b><br>The Egyptians' fear of the Israelites' numbers and potential power led to their decision to enslave them.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_in_multiplication.htm">God's Faithfulness in Multiplication</a></b><br>Despite the oppression, God was faithful to His promise to Abraham to multiply his descendants. This reminds us that God's promises are sure, even in difficult circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fear_leads_to_oppression.htm">Fear Leads to Oppression</a></b><br>Pharaoh's fear of the Israelites led to their oppression. Fear can lead to sin and injustice, and we must guard against allowing fear to dictate our actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god's_people.htm">The Power of God's People</a></b><br>The Israelites' growth in number and strength was a testament to God's blessing. As believers, we should recognize the power and influence we have when we are aligned with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_deliverance.htm">Trust in God's Deliverance</a></b><br>The oppression of the Israelites sets the stage for God's deliverance through Moses. We can trust that God will deliver us from our own "Egypts" in His perfect timing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_exodus_1's_lack_of_evidence.htm">Exodus 1 in general - How do we reconcile the apparent lack of extra-biblical evidence or records that confirm both the massive presence of Hebrews and the oppression described?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_harness_spiritual_power_via_rituals.htm">How can one harness spiritual power through rituals?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_exodus_show_israelites_as_slaves.htm">Why does Exodus depict the Israelites as slaves in Egypt when no Egyptian records mention this?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_midwives_deceive_a_strict_monarch.htm">Exodus 1:19 – How credible is the claim that midwives could successfully deceive an absolute monarch renowned for strict oversight and harsh penalties? </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>(9) <span class= "bld">He said unto his people.</span>--It is not intended to represent the Egyptian monarch as summoning a popular assembly, and addressing it. "His people." Is antithetical to "the people of the children of Israel," and simply marks that those whom he addressed were of his own nation. No doubt they were his nobles, or, at any rate, his courtiers.<p><span class= "bld">More and mightier than we.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">great and mighty in comparison with us. </span>The more to impress his counsellors, and gain their consent to his designs, the king exaggerates. Ancient Egypt must have had a population of seven or eight millions, which would imply nearly two millions of adult males, whereas the adult male Israelites, near a century later, were no more than six hundred thousand (<a href="/exodus/12-37.htm" title="And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.">Exodus 12:37</a>). Wicked men do not scruple at misrepresentation when they have an end to gain.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he said unto his people</span>, <span class="cmt_word">Behold, the children of Israel are more and mightier than we</span>. Literally, "great and strong in comparison with us." Actual numerical superiority is not, perhaps, meant; yet the expression is no doubt an exaggerated one, beyond the truth - the sort of exaggeration in which unprincipled persons indulge when they would justify themselves for taking an extreme and unusual course. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/1-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Look,”</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנֵּ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֖אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his people,</span><br /><span class="heb">עַמּ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“the Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[have become] too numerous</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(raḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and too powerful</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעָצ֖וּם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ā·ṣūm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6099.htm">Strong's 6099: </a> </span><span class="str2">Powerful, numerous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for us.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(mim·men·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/1-9.htm">Exodus 1:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/1-9.htm">Exodus 1:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/1-9.htm">Exodus 1:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/1-9.htm">Exodus 1:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/1-9.htm">Exodus 1:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/1-9.htm">Exodus 1:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/1-9.htm">Exodus 1:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/1-9.htm">Exodus 1:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/1-9.htm">Exodus 1:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/1-9.htm">Exodus 1:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/1-9.htm">OT Law: Exodus 1:9 He said to his people Behold (Exo. 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