But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. They were grieved because of the children of Israel.
Parallel translations
- KJV But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
- BSB But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.
- NKJV But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel.
- NASB But the more they oppressed them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out, so that they dreaded the sons of Israel.
- NLT But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The harder Egypt oppresses Israel, the more they multiply, dismaying the Egyptians. God's blessing cannot be crushed by human cruelty.
Overview
This verse states a theme that runs through Scripture: persecution cannot finally defeat God's purposes; it often advances them. The Egyptians' dread grows as their oppression fails, showing the futility of fighting against God. The pattern foreshadows the church, which likewise flourishes under affliction.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Ps 105:24He increased his people greatly, and made them stronger than their adversaries.
- Exod 1:9He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.
- Rom 8:28We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
- Acts 5:28–33saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.”
- John 12:19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “See how you accomplish nothing. Behold, the world has gone after him.”
- Acts 4:2–4being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
- Prov 27:4Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
- Job 5:2For resentment kills the foolish man, and jealousy kills the simple.
- Heb 12:6–11For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.”
- Prov 21:30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The Passover lamb whose blood turns away death, the exodus through the sea, the manna, the rock, and the tabernacle where God dwells with his people all foreshadow Jesus — our Passover, our redemption, the bread from heaven, and God-with-us in the flesh.
How Exodus 1:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.