Yes—the new Pharaoh felt threatened because Israel's population had multiplied so mightily that the land of Egypt was filled with them (Exodus 1:7, 1:9).
In Exodus 1:7 the children of Israel were fruitful, increased abundantly, multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty. By verse 9 Pharaoh said, 'Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.' Les Feldick explains that the Hebrew word for 'multiplied' pictures a swarming explosion of population, which made the king feel he had to take drastic action.
Exodus 1:7 — This verse records the explosive multiplication and strength of Israel that filled the land and caused Pharaoh's fear.
Exodus 1:9 — This verse gives Pharaoh's own stated reason for feeling threatened: Israel was more and mightier than the Egyptians.
Exodus 1:8 — This verse identifies the new Pharaoh who arose over Egypt—context for the threat he perceived.
The Bible shows that when Israel first entered Egypt from Jacob's loins, they numbered seventy souls (Exodus 1:5). Then, in the land of Goshen, 'the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them' (Exodus 1:7). Because of this extraordinary growth, the new king who knew not Joseph said to his people, 'Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we' (Exodus 1:8–9).
Les Feldick draws attention to the sheer scale of Israel's growth in Egypt. He points out that the Hebrew word translated 'multiplied' in Exodus 1:7 almost speaks of swarming—like insects increasing in tremendous amounts, or little fish swarming from eggs. Les follows Exodus 1:5–9, showing that Israel multiplied until the land, especially Goshen, was filled with them, and finally the king of Egypt had to do something drastic because the people of Israel were 'more and mightier than we.' Les also connects this explosive growth to God's promise to Jacob: God told him not to fear going down to Egypt because He would make a great nation of him there. Thus, the growth that threatened Pharaoh was the beginning of Israel's national expansion in Egypt.
Pharaoh declared, 'Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we' (Exodus 1:9). Les Feldick points out that the king of Egypt had to do something drastic because the Israelites had multiplied and waxed exceeding mighty until the land was filled with them (Exodus 1:7). These words from Scripture give the direct reason for Pharaoh's fear.
Les Feldick notes that the word 'multiplied' in Exodus 1:7 almost speaks of swarming. He compares it to insects increasing in tremendous amounts or little fish swarming from eggs. This word picture helps explain why Israel's population growth seemed overwhelming to the Egyptians and why Pharaoh felt threatened.
Les reminds us that God told Jacob not to fear going down to Egypt, saying, 'I will there in Egypt make of thee a great nation.' According to Les, this is where the nation of Israel began to come into bloom. The population explosion recorded in Exodus 1 is the outworking of that promise—and it is also what made the new Pharaoh afraid.
The swarming multiplication of Israel
Les teaches that the Hebrew word translated 'multiplied' in Exodus 1:7 pictures swarming, like insects or little fish, showing how Israel's population exploded and filled the land.
Pharaoh's admission: 'more and mightier than we'
Les walks through Exodus 1:5–9, where Israel filled the land and the king of Egypt said the people of Israel were more and mightier than the Egyptians, compelling him to drastic action.
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God's promise to make Israel a great nation in Egypt
Les explains that God told Jacob not to fear going to Egypt because He would make a great nation of him there—the population growth that Pharaoh later saw as a threat.
Why God Separated Israel: The Meaning of the Blood on the Doorposts
I said chapter 12, I think, but let's go back for just a moment to chapter 10, because the last time we were together, we had more or less gotten to the place where Pharaoh was obstinately refusing to let the children of Israel go, and God would bring in a plague.
Exodus 1:5: And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already.
This verse sets the starting point—only seventy souls entered Egypt, making the later growth even more dramatic.
Exodus 1:7: And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
This is the key verse describing the explosive population growth that made Pharaoh afraid.
Exodus 1:8: Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
This identifies the new Pharaoh and explains why the previous promises to Israel were no longer honored.
Exodus 1:9: And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:
These are Pharaoh's own words revealing his fear of Israel's numbers and strength.
Because the children of Israel had multiplied and waxed exceeding mighty until the land was filled with them (Exodus 1:7). Pharaoh said the people of Israel were more and mightier than the Egyptians (Exodus 1:9). Les Feldick describes this as a swarming, explosive population growth.
Les teaches that the Hebrew word translated 'multiplied' almost speaks of swarming—like insects increasing in tremendous amounts or little fish swarming from eggs. This helps explain the overwhelming scale of Israel's growth.
Yes. Les cites God's words to Jacob: 'Fear not to go down into Egypt, for I will there in Egypt make of thee a great nation.' He says this is where the nation of Israel began to come into bloom, and Exodus 1 records the resulting population explosion.
Watch the Teaching: From Genesis to Exodus: Understanding the Biblical Timeline of Israel