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Exodus 1

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Easy Bible・Exodus 1

The Israelites Multiply in Egypt

Commentary
Passages

Key Passages

Exodus 1:7
but the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.

About this Chapter

The book of Exodus begins with the Israelites who had settled in Egypt. They were fruitful and multiplied greatly, becoming exceedingly numerous. However, a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt and saw the Israelites as a threat. He oppressed them, forcing them into slavery and making their lives bitter with hard labor. The king ordered the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill all the Hebrew boys at birth. However, the midwives feared God and did not obey the king's command. They let the boys live. When the king questioned them, the midwives lied and said that the Hebrew women gave birth before they arrived. Because the midwives feared God, He blessed them with families of their own. Despite the king's efforts to oppress the Israelites, they continued to multiply and spread throughout Egypt. Their increasing numbers only fueled the king's fear and led to further oppression.

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