Exodus 1:9

And he said vnto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are moe and mightier then we.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

He said to his people, "Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:
- American Standard Version (1901)

And he said to his people, See, the people of Israel are greater in number and in power than we are:
- Basic English Bible

And he said to his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more numerous and stronger than we.
- Darby Bible

And he said to his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.
- Webster's Bible

He said to his people, "Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.
- World English Bible

and he saith unto his people, `Lo, the people of the sons of Israel [is] more numerous and mighty than we;
- Youngs Literal Bible

And he said unto his people: 'Behold, the people of the children of Israel are too many and too mighty for us;
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Wesley's Notes for Exodus 1:9

1:7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly - Like fishes or insects, so that they multiplied; and being generally healthful and strong, they waxed exceeding mighty, so that the land was filled with them, at least Goshen, their own allotment. This wonderful increase was the product of the promise long before made to the fathers. From the call of Abraham, when God first told him he would make him a great nation, to the deliverance of his seed out of Egypt, was 430 years; during the first 215 of which, they were increased to 70, but in the latter half, those 70 multiplied to 600,000 fighting men.

1:8 There arose a new king (after several successions in Joseph's time) which knew not Joseph - All that knew him loved him, and were kind to his relations for his sake; but when he was dead he was soon forgotten, and the remembrance of the good offices he had done was either not retained or not regarded. If we work for men only, our works at farthest will die with us; if for God, they will follow us, #Rev 14:13|.

1:10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply - When men deal wickedly it is common for them to imagine that they deal wisely, but the folly of sin will at last be manifested before all men.

1:11 They set over them task - masters, to afflict them - With this very design. They not only made them serve, which was sufficient for Pharaoh's profit, but they made them serve with rigour, so that their lives became bitter to them; intending hereby to break their spirits, and to rob them of every thing in them that was generous: to ruin their health, and shorten their days, and so diminish their numbers: to discourage them from marrying, since their children would be born to slavery; and to oblige them to desert the Hebrews, and incorporate with the Egyptians. And 'tis to be feared the oppression they were under did bring over many of them to join with the Egyptians in their idolatrous worship; for we read, #Jos 24:14|, that they served other gods in Egypt; and we find, #Eze 20:8|, that God had threatned to destroy them for it, even while they were in the land of Egypt. Treasure - cities - To keep the king's money or corn, wherein a great part of the riches of Egypt consisted.