Éxodo 1:12

12 Pero cuanto más lo molestaban, tanto más se multiplicaban y crecían; tanto que ellos se fastidiaban de los hijos de Israel.

Éxodo 1:12 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 1:12

But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied
and grew
Became more numerous, "and broke out" ^F2, 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 labour in building cities, to have weakened their strength, and made them unfit for the procreation of children; but instead of that, the more hard labour 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 God, in a spiritual sense; who grow like the palm tree, which the more weight it has upon it the more it grows; when the church of God has been most violently persecuted, the number of converts have been greater, and saints under affliction grow in grace, in faith and love, in holiness, humility, patience, peace, and joy; see ( Acts 12:1 Acts 12:2 Acts 12:24 ) ( Romans 5:3-5 )

and they were grieved because of the children of Israel;
because of their multiplication and increase, and because their schemes for lessening them did not succeed; they were as thorns in their eyes, as some interpret the word, as Jarchi ^F3 observes.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 (Uypy) "erumpebat", Junius & Tremellius, Drusius, Tigurine version.
F3 (Krpb) "in fractione", Cajetan. apud Rivet.

Éxodo 1:12 In-Context

10 Ahora, pues, seamos sabios para con él, para que no se multiplique, y acontezca que viniendo guerra, él también se junte con nuestros enemigos, y pelee contra nosotros, y se vaya de la tierra.

11 Entonces pusieron sobre él comisarios de tributos que los molestasen con sus cargas; y edificaron al Faraón las ciudades de los bastimentos: Pitón y Ramesés.

12 Pero cuanto más lo molestaban, tanto más se multiplicaban y crecían; tanto que ellos se fastidiaban de los hijos de Israel.

13 Y los egipcios hicieron servir a los hijos de Israel con dureza;

14 y amargaron su vida con dura servidumbre, en hacer barro y ladrillo, y en toda labor del campo, y en todo su servicio, al cual los obligaban con dureza.