Exodus 1:10
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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.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Increase in the Number of the IsraelitesTheir Bondage in Egypt - Exodus 1 The promise which God gave to Jacob in his departure from Canaan (Gen 46:3) was perfectly fulfilled. The children of Israel settled down in the most fruitful province of the fertile land of Egypt, and grew there into a great nation (Exo 1:1-7). But the words which the Lord had spoken to Abram (Gen 15:13) were also fulfilled in relation to his seed in Egypt. The children of Israel were oppressed in a strange land, were compelled to serve the Egyptians (Exo 1:8-14), and were in great danger of being entirely crushed by them (Exo 1:15-22).
Open source ↗We have here, I. God's kindness to Israel, in multiplying them exceedingly (Exo 1:1-7). II. The Egyptians' wickedness to them, 1. Oppressing and enslaving them (Exo 1:8-14). 2. Murdering their children (Exo 1:15-22). Thus whom the court of heaven blessed the country of Egypt cursed, and for that reason.
Open source ↗1:10 The people whom Pharaoh referred to as our enemies would almost certainly have been the remnants of the Hyksos (see study note on 1:8-10).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
He exploited our people and oppressed our fathers, forcing them to abandon their infants so they would die.
If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause,
whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants.
In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.
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.”
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.