BibleWord.ai› Bible› Exodus› Chapter 1› Verse 12

Exodus 1:12

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 1:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
Exodus 1:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:
10come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they also join themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us, and get them up out of the land.
11Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh store-cities, Pithom and Raamses.
12But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
13And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor:
14and they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field, all their service, wherein they made them serve with rigor.
15And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:
← Exodus 1:11Exodus 1:13 →
← Full Chapter 1 Exodus Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew, etc.] Became more numerous, “and broke out” f27, as it may be rendered, like water which breaks out and spreads itself; so the Israelites, increasing in number, spread themselves still more in the land; the Egyptians thought, by putting them to hard labor in building cities, to have weakened their strength, and made them unfit for the procreation of children; but instead of that, the more hard labor they were put unto, the more healthful and the stronger they were, and begot more children, and multiplied exceedingly: and so it is that oftentimes afflictive dispensations are multiplying and growing times to the people of…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied - To the grief and vexation of the Egyptians. Times of affliction, have oft been the church's growing times: Christianity spread most when it was persecuted. Exodus 1:15”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:12 In spite of the concerted Egyptian oppression, the Israelites multiplied and spread; God was keeping his promise about giving Abraham many descendants (Gen 15:5).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“But the more: etc. Heb. and as they afflicted them, so they multiplied, etc. Psa 105:24; Pro 21:30; Rom 8:28; Heb 12:6-11 grieved: Exo 1:9; Job 5:2; Pro 27:4; Joh 12:19; Act 4:2-4, Act 5:28-33 Exodus 1:14”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Exodus 1 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification