Did Israel's population explode in Egypt during Exodus 1?
Yes, indeed. The children of Israel were fruitful, increased abundantly, and multiplied. The Hebrew word for multiplied suggests swarming, an explosive increase, not a casual growth. This was not just a casual increasing; they were exploding, and the land was filled with them.
Les explains that the Hebrew word for multiplied almost speaks of swarming, similar to insects increasing in tremendous amounts or little fish swarming from where eggs were laid. He says this was animated in the Hebrew, not just a casual increasing; they were exploding. He compares it to modern talk of the world's exploding population, saying Israel's population was just exploding and one could imagine the land was filled with them. He then notes that a new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph, a new line of pharaohs that had nothing to do with the old agreements.
And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.