Exodus 1:7

KJV

And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} were fruitful {H6509}, and increased abundantly {H8317}, and multiplied {H7235}, and waxed exceeding {H3966}{H3966} mighty {H6105}; and the land {H776} was filled {H4390} with them.

Complete Jewish Bible

The descendants of Isra'el were fruitful, increased abundantly, multiplied and grew very powerful; the land became filled with them.

Berean Standard Bible

but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.

American Standard Version

And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 1:7 powerfully describes the astounding demographic expansion of the Israelites in Egypt, transforming Jacob's small family into an immense and formidable population. This extraordinary proliferation, a direct and visible fulfillment of God's ancient covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, establishes the crucial context for the subsequent narrative of severe oppression and miraculous divine deliverance that unfolds in the book of Exodus.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 1:7 serves as a pivotal transition from the patriarchal narratives of Genesis to the national saga of Israel's liberation. Following the detailed account of Jacob's family entering Egypt in [Genesis 46](/genesis/46 "Genesis 46 - Jacob's Family Enters Egypt"), this verse bridges the gap of several centuries, summarizing the silent but profound demographic shift that occurred between the death of Joseph and the rise of a new Pharaoh. It immediately precedes the introduction of the new king who "knew not Joseph" ([Exodus 1:8](/exodus/1-8 "Exodus 1:8 - A New King Arises")), setting the stage for the escalating conflict between the burgeoning Israelite population and the fearful Egyptian regime. The verse's emphasis on rapid, almost miraculous growth provides the necessary background for understanding Pharaoh's subsequent oppressive measures, which are explicitly motivated by the Israelites' overwhelming numbers and strength, as articulated in [Exodus 1:9-10](/exodus/1-9-10 "Exodus 1:9-10 - Pharaoh's Fear and Plan").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is ancient Egypt, likely during the period between the Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom, though specific pharaohs are not named. The Israelites, initially welcomed into the fertile land of Goshen during Joseph's time, would have lived as a distinct, semi-nomadic group within the larger Egyptian society. The phrase "the land was filled with them" suggests that their presence had become significant and noticeable, particularly in the delta region where Goshen was located. Egyptian culture was highly stratified and often suspicious of large, distinct foreign populations. The rise of a "new king" who "knew not Joseph" indicates a shift in dynastic power or policy, possibly reflecting a period of xenophobia or a desire to consolidate power and control resources, leading to the perception of the Israelites as a potential threat rather than an asset.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 1:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Covenant Faithfulness**, as the verse directly demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His promise to Abraham that his descendants would be numerous, as seen in passages like [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham of a Great Nation") and [Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Oath to Multiply Abraham's Seed"). It also highlights **God's Sovereignty over History**, showing that even in a foreign land and under changing political landscapes, God actively orchestrates the proliferation of His chosen people, preparing them to become a nation. Furthermore, the verse introduces the theme of **Blessing as a Catalyst for Conflict**, as the very success of Israel's multiplication becomes the direct cause of Egyptian fear and subsequent oppression, setting in motion the dramatic events of the Exodus.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fruitful (Hebrew, _pârâh'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to bear fruit (literally or figuratively)." This word echoes the original creation mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" given to humanity in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate") and specifically to Noah in [Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's Blessing and Command to Noah"). Its use here emphasizes the natural, life-giving increase, often associated with divine blessing and productivity.
* **increased abundantly (Hebrew, _shârats'_):** A primitive root meaning "to wriggle, i.e. (by implication) swarm or abound." This verb is often used in the Old Testament to describe the teeming abundance of living creatures, such as fish in the sea or insects, as seen in [Genesis 1:20](/genesis/1-20 "Genesis 1:20 - God Creates Swarming Creatures"). Its application to the Israelites underscores an almost overwhelming, rapid, and prolific multiplication, suggesting a vitality and quantity that is truly extraordinary and perhaps even unsettling to onlookers.
* **mighty (Hebrew, _ʻâtsam'_):** A primitive root meaning "to bind fast, i.e. close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous." When used with "exceeding" (mᵉʼôd), it signifies not merely numerical growth but also an increase in strength, influence, and perhaps even physical robustness. This term indicates that the Israelites were not just many, but they were also becoming a formidable and significant presence, posing a perceived threat due to their sheer numbers and inherent strength.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Israel were fruitful,"**: This opening clause establishes the initial state of the Israelite population's growth. It signifies a natural, God-given capacity for procreation and expansion, aligning with the divine blessing of fertility bestowed upon humanity and specifically upon the patriarchs. It implies a healthy and thriving community.
* **"and increased abundantly,"**: This phrase intensifies the description of growth, using a verb (Hebrew _shârats_) that conveys a sense of teeming, swarming, or multiplying profusely. It suggests a rapid, almost unstoppable proliferation, emphasizing the sheer volume and speed of their population increase beyond mere natural reproduction.
* **"and multiplied,"**: This third verb further reinforces the theme of numerical expansion. It indicates a consistent and significant increase in their numbers, building upon the previous descriptions to underscore the overwhelming nature of their demographic boom. The cumulative effect of these verbs paints a picture of exponential growth.
* **"and waxed exceeding mighty;"**: This clause shifts the focus from mere quantity to quality and influence. The phrase "exceeding mighty" (Hebrew _'atsam me'od'_) indicates that the Israelites were not only numerous but also becoming powerful, strong, and perhaps even formidable. This growing strength, a direct result of their multiplication, would soon be perceived as a threat by the Egyptians.
* **"and the land was filled with them."**: This final clause describes the ultimate outcome of their prolific growth. It vividly portrays the extent of their population, indicating that they had spread throughout the region of Goshen, making their presence deeply felt and highly visible. This "filling" of the land serves as a powerful visual metaphor for their overwhelming numbers and sets the immediate stage for the Egyptian response.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 1:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the extraordinary growth of the Israelite population. The most prominent is **Repetition** and **Climax**, evident in the cascade of four distinct verbs—"fruitful," "increased abundantly," "multiplied," and "waxed exceeding mighty." This cumulative effect builds a sense of overwhelming and divinely orchestrated expansion, culminating in the declaration of their formidable strength. The use of **Hyperbole** or strong **Exaggeration** in the phrase "the land was filled with them" vividly paints a picture of their vast numbers, even if it refers specifically to Goshen. This phrase also serves as **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the future conflict, as such a numerous and strong foreign population would inevitably be perceived as a threat by the ruling powers. While not explicitly stated, the miraculous nature of this growth implies a **Divine Passive**, where God is the unseen agent behind this demographic explosion, fulfilling His covenant promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 1:7 stands as a profound testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The miraculous multiplication of Israel in Egypt, despite their enslaved status and the passage of centuries, demonstrates that God's word is sovereign and unstoppable. This growth proves that God actively remembers and works for His people, even when they are in dire circumstances, laying the foundation for their identity as a distinct nation chosen by Him. It underscores the truth that God's blessings can be so immense that they paradoxically trigger opposition, yet even this opposition serves His greater redemptive purposes.

* [Genesis 17:6](/genesis/17-6 "Genesis 17:6 - God's Covenant with Abraham for Many Nations")
* [Deuteronomy 10:22](/deuteronomy/10-22 "Deuteronomy 10:22 - Jacob's Family Entering Egypt")
* [Psalm 105:24](/psalms/105-24 "Psalm 105:24 - God Made His People Very Fruitful")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 1:7 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us of God's unfailing faithfulness to His promises, even when circumstances appear bleak or His people face adversity. It underscores that God's sovereign plans are unstoppable, and His word will always accomplish its intended purpose, regardless of human opposition or the passage of time. Just as the Israelites' growth led to challenges that ultimately served God's greater redemptive plan, we can trust that God's blessings in our lives, even if they lead to unexpected difficulties, are always working towards His ultimate glory and our good. This verse calls us to cultivate patience and faith, knowing that God is actively working behind the scenes, fulfilling His purposes in ways we may not immediately perceive. It also challenges us to recognize that God's blessings are not merely for our comfort but often prepare us for greater responsibilities or trials, through which His power can be more fully displayed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you waiting for God to fulfill a promise, and how does the faithfulness shown in Exodus 1:7 encourage you?**
* **How might God's blessings in your life, even those that seem to bring challenges, be preparing you for a greater purpose or a deeper display of His power?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's sovereignty over historical events and human political powers?**

### FAQ
**Why is the rapid growth of Israel emphasized so strongly?**

Answer: The strong emphasis on Israel's rapid growth serves multiple crucial purposes. Theologically, it highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, specifically concerning their numerous descendants, as found in passages like [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - God's Promise of Innumerable Descendants to Abraham"). Historically, it provides the essential context for understanding how a small family of seventy souls could transform into a formidable nation, thereby explaining Pharaoh's subsequent fear and the ensuing enslavement. It also underscores the miraculous nature of God's blessing, demonstrating His power to transform a vulnerable group into a powerful and populous people, setting the stage for their national identity.

**How does "the land was filled with them" relate to the land of Egypt?**

Answer: While the phrase "the land was filled with them" might, at first glance, suggest that the Israelites had spread throughout all of Egypt, it primarily refers to the land of Goshen. Goshen was the fertile delta region specifically allocated to them by Pharaoh during Joseph's time, as detailed in [Genesis 47:6](/genesis/47-6 "Genesis 47:6 - Pharaoh Grants Goshen to Jacob's Family"). This area became densely populated by the Israelites, making their presence highly visible and significant. Their concentration in this agriculturally rich region, combined with their rapid growth, made them appear as a substantial and potentially threatening demographic force to the new Egyptian regime, leading to the policies of oppression described in [Exodus 1:9-11](/exodus/1-9-11 "Exodus 1:9-11 - Pharaoh's Fear and Enslavement of Israel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 1:7, while describing the physical multiplication of Abraham's descendants, finds its ultimate and profound spiritual fulfillment in Christ. The promise of a numerous "seed" or offspring, initially realized in the nation of Israel, is vastly expanded through the person and work of Jesus Christ to encompass all believers. In the New Testament, Paul clarifies that those who have faith in Christ are considered the true spiritual offspring of Abraham, regardless of their ethnic background, as powerfully articulated in [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Believers as Abraham's Seed by Faith"). Just as Israel supernaturally grew into a mighty nation, the Church, the body of Christ, has multiplied across the earth, demonstrating God's ongoing power to gather a vast people for Himself from "every tribe and language and people and nation" ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Redeemed from Every Nation")), transcending all ethnic and national boundaries. This global spiritual expansion, centered entirely in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, is the ultimate and glorious fulfillment of God's ancient promise of a fruitful and multiplied people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 46:3

And he said, I [am] God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

Genesis 1:28

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Deuteronomy 26:5

And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish [was] my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:

Genesis 12:2

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Genesis 35:11

And God said unto him, I [am] God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;

Genesis 47:27

¶ And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.

Genesis 9:1

¶ And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.