Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 1:12
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
12. But the measure proved ineffectual: the more the Israelites were oppressed, the more they increased, so that the Egyptians felt an uneasy dread of them.
spread abroad ] Lit. brake through (limits): fig. for expanded, spread abroad. So Gen 28:14; Gen 30:30; Gen 30:43 (all J), Isa 54:3 al.
were grieved because of
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 12. But the more they afflicted them] The margin has pretty nearly preserved the import of the original: And as they afflicted them, so they multiplied and so they grew That is, in proportion to their afflictions was their prosperity; and had their sufferings been greater, their increase would have been still more abundant.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They multiplied, through Gods overruling providence and singular blessing, which God gave them purposely to hasten first their sorer affliction, and next, and by that means, their glorious deliverance.
They were grieved, through envy and fear.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew,…. Became more numerous, “and broke out” b, as it may be rendered, like water which breaks out and spreads itself; so the Israelites, increasing in number, spread themselves still more in the land; the Egyptians thought, by putting them to hard labour in building cities, to have weakened their strength, and made them unfit for the procreation of children; but instead of that, the more hard labour they were put unto, the more healthful and the stronger they were, and begot more children, and multiplied exceedingly: and so it is that oftentimes afflictive dispensations are multiplying and growing times to the people of God, in a spiritual sense; who grow like the palm tree, which the more weight it has upon it the more it grows; when the church of God has been most violently persecuted, the number of converts have been greater, and saints under affliction grow in grace, in faith and love, in holiness, humility, patience, peace, and joy; see
Ac 12:1
and they were grieved because of the children of Israel; because of their multiplication and increase, and because their schemes for lessening them did not succeed; they were as thorns in their eyes, as some interpret the word, as Jarchi c observes.
b “erumpebat”, Junius & Tremellius, Drusius, Tigurine version. c “in fractione”, Cajetan. apud Rivet.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
12. But the more. Moses relates the contest between the mercy of God and the cruelty of the king of Egypt. When, therefore, the wretched Israelites were tyrannically afflicted, he says that God came to their aid, and so powerfully that his interference was successful. Thus was that wicked and deceitful design frustrated, which the Egyptians had set on foot for destroying the Church. Thence may we, too, conceive the hope, that whatsoever the wicked imagine against us will come to nought, because God’s hand is greater, and shall prevail. But we must bear afflictions patiently, because he would have us struggle against, and rise under the weight imposed upon us; (16) and because we know that it is the peculiar office of God to oppose himself to unjust counsels, in order that they may not succeed, let us learn to abstain from all deceit and violence, lest we wantonly provoke God. But this passage is especially intended to console the believer, that he may be prepared to take up his cross more patiently; since God is sufficient to supply the help, to which the wrath of the wicked must finally yield. What is said in the second part of the verse, that the Egyptians (17) were grieved, means, that they became more anxious, as they saw that they availed nothing, and that their unexpected increase threatened still greater danger; for, since they feared the Israelites before they had afflicted them, no wonder that they felt alarmed lest they should avenge themselves when provoked. And hence the profitable instruction may be gathered, that while the wicked proceed to horrible crimes in order to insure their safety, the Almighty visits them with the very just return, that thus their anxiety is augmented. Some render it, “the Egyptians hated the people of Israel;” and so the word קוף, kutz, is sometimes taken, but the construction of the passage demands the rendering which I have given.
(16) “A la facon de la palme;” like the palm-tree. — Fr.
(17) ויקצו, C. , And they were burdened with anxiety In A V. , And they were grieved The verb קוף is generally taken for to loathe — W
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(12) The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew.This result was not natural. It can only be ascribed to Gods 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.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. More they afflicted more they multiplied But God was with the oppressed, and the immense national vitality which has made Israel the wonder of history began to be developed in proportion to the oppression, so that the Egyptians became distressed (with fear) before the children of Israel . Compare Num 22:3.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Exo 1:12. The more they afflicted them, &c. The expression in the original is more energetic than any of the preceding in Exo 1:7. iprotz, rendered grew, signifies, properly, to break forth, and expand itself with impetuosity, like a rapid river, which swells and gathers force by being confined. Vain are the counsels of men against the providence of God! His blessing can turn the means they employ to oppress into the greatest advantages. There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. Pro 19:21.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
What a blessed evidence this is of God’s love to his people. And depend upon it, it is the same now! Every persecution, every scoff, every sneer of the infidel shall be blessed. And there is not a pain, or sickness, or sorrow, but what Jesus shall convert into a joy. Psa 105:24 ; Rom 8:28 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
Ver. 12. The more they multiplied. ] As the ground is most fruitful that is most harrowed; and as the walnut tree bears best when most beaten. Fish thrive better in cold and salt waters, than in warm and fresh.
And they were grieved.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
multiplied and grew = increasingly multiplied. Figure of speech Hendiadys (App-6).
grieved = filled with alarm.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
But the more: etc. Heb. and as they afflicted them, so they multiplied, etc. Psa 105:24, Pro 21:30, Rom 8:28, Heb 12:6-11
grieved: Exo 1:9, Job 5:2, Pro 27:4, Joh 12:19, Act 4:2-4, Act 5:28-33
Reciprocal: Gen 47:27 – grew Exo 1:20 – the people Deu 26:5 – became Psa 129:1 – have they Pro 14:28 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
GROWTH UNDER THE KNIFE
The more they multiplied and grew.
Exo 1:12
I. The intention of issuing new orders and decrees from time to time was that the spirit of the Israelites might be broken.But how shortsighted the policy! If they had desired to create a unity of hatred to themselves on the part of Israel, what policy could have been adopted more conducive thereto? Evil often outwits itself. Man plans as he will, but as to the results, how often is it true, He meaneth not so!
II. Centuries afterwards, the martyr Stephen referred to this cruel edict.They dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil-entreated our fathers, so that they should cast out their babes to the end they might not live (Act 7:19). Israel never forgot the anguish of that hour. But on Pharaohs side what a stroke of policy! To deal with the babes was to go to the very springs of national life, and ultimately to affect the entire nation.
III. There is nothing which so closely and instantly touches the national existence as the treatment of child life.What that is, the nation will become in thirty years. How important that every effort should be made to preserve the springs from the contaminating influence of bad parents and designing teachers! How well worth while it is for Christians to spend time and thought in the instruction of the young! The teachers of a small Sunday-school are probably touching a larger number of the coming years than the minister of a great congregation. Speaking generally, each child stands for more years than any adult in middle-life can do. Besides which the childs mind is so much more retentive and impressionable than the adults. It is a wonder, indeed, that more of the best people in our churches do not join the ranks of Sunday-school teachers, and paint on this immortal canvas.
Illustration
(1) The chronology is by no means easy. The question turns upon the length of the bondage. By 430 years (Exo 12:40-41; Gal 3:17) we may understand either the whole period from the call of Abraham to the giving of the law on Sinai, or simply the period which was spent by the children of Israel in Egypt itself. The first explanation is more in harmony with other passages of Scripture; the second is more easily reconciled with the rapid increase of the people. Edersheim says, Three centuries and a half intervened between the close of the Book of Genesis and the events with which that of Exodus opens.
(2) Persecution is not only cruel, but it is weak as well. It fails in its purpose. In the history of nations luxury has undermined oftener than hardship. In the history of character compliance has enervated while opposition has braced up. In the history of religion the years of toil and conflict have been the richest in results. In the history of the Bible the endeavour to burn or suppress it has only led to its wider circulation.
(3) Times of suffering and persecution have always been the growing days of the Church. There never were such days for the spread of the truth as when Diocletians persecutions swept over the followers of Jesus or the dragoons of Claverhouse the moors of Scotland. And if ever those days should come again, they would probably add a marvellous increase to the true followers of Jesus. And so it is in the case of the individual. We make our best progress, not when all our circumstances are favourable, but when they are adverse.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
Exo 1:12. The more they multiplied To the grief and vexation of the Egyptians. The original expression, rendered grew, is very emphatical, jiphrots.
They broke forth and expanded themselves with impetuosity, like a river swollen with the rains, whose waters increase and gain strength by being confined, Here we see how vain and fruitless the devices of men are against the designs of God: and how easily he, in his providence, can turn their counsels against themselves, and cause the very means which they employ to oppress his people, to become the greatest helps and advantages to them. Times of persecution and affliction have often been the churchs growing times: Christianity spread most when it was most persecuted.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And {e} they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
(e) The more God blesses his own, the more the wicked envy them.