Keraia
Exodus 1

Exodus 1:10

Oppression by a New King · Exodus 1:8–22
Read Exodus 1

Translations

Modern
Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”
Traditional
Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
Literal
Come, let us act wisely with him, lest he multiply, and it comes to pass when war meets us, that he also may join himself to those hating us and fight against us and go up out of the land.”
Latin
Venite, sapienter opprimamus eum, ne forte multiplicetur: et si ingruerit contra nos bellum, addatur inimicis nostris, expugnatisque nobis egrediatur de terra.

Original

Hebrew
English
Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”

Notes

Exodus 1:10

The people Pharaoh called our enemies were probably the remaining Hyksos (see study note on 1:8–10).

Exodus 1:8–10

From about 1650 to 1550 BC, Semitic invaders ruled northern Egypt, where the Israelites lived. The Egyptians called these rulers "shepherd kings" or Hyksos. Semitic peoples were ancient groups from the Middle East and North Africa, known for their shared languages (such as Hebrew, Aramaic, or Arabic) and cultural traditions.

Many scholars think these kings supported the Israelites, who might have allied with them. Egypt finally expelled the invaders around 1540 BC. The new rulers of Egypt's 18th Dynasty probably did not trust any remaining Semites, including the Israelites.

Exodus 1:1–22

The need for rescue was clearly related to the Israelites' condition. The Egyptians forced the people of Israel to work without mercy (1:13). It was also related to promises God had made to the patriarchs years earlier.

The Lord had promised Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation, living freely in the land of Canaan. At this time, Abraham's descendants were slaves in Egypt under a pharaoh who wanted to destroy them as a people. God would have to rescue them to fulfill his promises.

Parallels

Acts 7:15–19

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Hyksos Ramses (Person)

Topics

Egypt: Israel in Israel Increases and are Oppressed God: Preserver: To the Israelites, in Bringing About Their Deliverance from Bondage Israel: Number of, at the Time of the Exodus Oppression of Israelites, by Egyptians Persecution: Spirit of Pharaoh Servant: Bond: The Israelites Servant: Israelites Usurpation of Executive Power of Pharaoh, Making Bondservants of the Israelites