King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel [are] more and mightier than we:
Complete Jewish Bible:
but said to his people, "Look, the descendants of Isra'el have become a people too numerous and powerful for us.
Berean Standard Bible:
“Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us.
American Standard Version:
And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he said{H559} unto his people{H5971}, Behold, the people{H5971} of the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} are more{H7227} and mightier{H6099} than we:
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 105:24
- And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
Psalms 105:25
- ¶ He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
James 3:14
- But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
James 3:16
- For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
- ¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.
Numbers 22:4
- And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all [that are] round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor [was] king of the Moabites at that time.
Numbers 22:5
- He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which [is] by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 1:9
Exodus 1:9 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of the Israelites in Egypt, setting the stage for the central events of the Book of Exodus. The verse is part of a speech by an unnamed Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, addressing his people about the growing population of the Israelites, who had come to Egypt during the time of Joseph to escape a famine in their homeland.
In the historical context, the Israelites initially prospered in Egypt under Joseph's influence, but after Joseph's generation passed away, a new Pharaoh came to power who did not know Joseph. This Pharaoh observed that the Israelites had become numerous and strong, which he perceived as a potential threat to the stability and security of his kingdom. The verse reflects the common ancient Near Eastern fear of foreigners, especially when their population was significant and growing.
The themes present in this verse include the dynamics of power and fear, the perception of a minority group as a threat, and the consequent oppression that can arise from such fears. The Pharaoh's words hint at the impending shift in the relationship between the Egyptians and the Israelites, foreshadowing the oppression and enslavement of the Israelites that will follow. This verse is a turning point in the narrative, marking the transition from the Israelites' favorable status in Egypt to their severe oppression, which eventually leads to the events of the Exodus, including the calling of Moses, the plagues, and the liberation of the Israelites from slavery.
In summary, Exodus 1:9 captures a moment of demographic awareness and political anxiety that triggers a series of events culminating in the foundational redemption story of the Israelite people. It highlights themes of ethnic tension, the fear of the 'other,' and the abuse of power, which are central to the unfolding narrative of the Israelites' bondage and deliverance from Egypt.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H7227
There are 439 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַב
Transliteration: rab
Pronunciation: rab
Description: by contracted from רָבַב; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). - Strong's Number: H6099
There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָצוּם
Transliteration: ʻâtsûwm
Pronunciation: aw-tsoom'
Description: or עָצֻם; passive participle of עָצַם; powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous; [phrase] feeble, great, mighty, must, strong.