Exodus 1:7 (KJV) says:
"And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them."
This single verse sets the stage for one of the greatest stories of deliverance in the Bible. Let's break down ten interesting facts about Exodus 1:7.
1. It Fulfills God's Promise to Abraham
In Genesis 12:2, God promised Abraham,
"And I will make of thee a great nation..."
Exodus 1:7 shows that promise coming true. Even in a foreign land, God's covenant with Abraham was still active.
2. The Language Shows Massive Growth
Words like "fruitful," "abundantly," "multiplied," and "exceeding mighty" aren't casual. They show extreme growth. The Hebrew language here piles on terms to emphasize just how quickly the Israelites expanded.
Term Used | Meaning |
---|---|
Fruitful | Produced many descendants |
Increased Abundantly | Spread rapidly |
Multiplied | |
Waxed Exceeding Mighty | Became very strong |
3. Egypt Could Not Contain Them
The verse says, "the land was filled with them." It wasn’t just a little growth. The Israelites' presence was everywhere, changing the landscape of Egypt’s cities and farms.
Psalm 105:24 echoes this idea:
"And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies."
4. Growth Happened During Hardship
Even though Exodus 1:8 tells us a new king rose who did not know Joseph, the Israelites multiplied before the oppression. It shows that God's blessing wasn’t stopped by changing political powers.
5. Their Strength Made Egypt Nervous
Later in Exodus 1:9-10, Pharaoh’s fear of the Israelites’ numbers leads to harsh slavery. Exodus 1:7 hints at the fear that would soon change their lives.
Exodus 1:9 says:
"And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we."
6. It Reminds Us of Eden’s Command
God’s original command to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28 was:
"Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth."
The Israelites obeyed that command naturally, even without their own land yet.
7. It Foreshadows Deliverance
By multiplying in Egypt, Israel was positioned for a mighty rescue that would reveal God's power. Without a large people group, the story of the Exodus would not be as grand.
Stage | Event |
---|---|
Multiplication | Exodus 1:7 |
Oppression | Exodus 1:11 |
Deliverance | Exodus 12:31-32 |
8. It Mirrors the Church Today
Just like Israel in Egypt, Christians today are called to grow and spread even in hostile environments.
Matthew 28:19 commands,
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations..."
9. It Was God's Silent Work
There’s no big miracle mentioned in Exodus 1:7. No parting of the sea, no plagues. Just normal family life and growth. Sometimes God's greatest miracles happen quietly over time.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says:
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."
10. It Highlights God’s Faithfulness
God promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would be many. Exodus 1:7 shows He was faithful, even when generations passed and situations changed.
Genesis 46:3 records God's words to Jacob:
"Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation."
That is exactly what Exodus 1:7 describes.
Summary Table
Fact | Key Insight |
---|---|
1 | Fulfilled Abraham's covenant |
2 | Showed massive numerical growth |
3 | Israelites filled the land |
4 | Growth during hardship |
5 | Triggered Egyptian fear |
6 | Connected to Eden’s command |
7 | Set the stage for deliverance |
8 | Mirrors the Church's mission |
9 | Shows God’s quiet miracles |
10 | Proves God's faithfulness |