Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Pharaoh's strategy isn't just about controlling numbers; it's a calculated fear of Israel becoming a powerful fifth column. He worries that if Egypt faces an external threat, the Israelites might join the enemy not just to escape, but to actively fight against Egypt itself.
Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Facing a growing Israelite population, the new Egyptian king fears they might multiply too much and, if Egypt faces war, could join their enemies. This insecurity, stemming from Egypt's historical vulnerabilities to external threats and potentially seeing the Israelites as a similar "foreign" group, prompts a plan to oppress them before they become a greater threat or opportunity for escape. The Egyptians decide to enslave them with hard labor, hoping to weaken them numerically and prevent them from potentially rebelling or fleeing the land.
The Israelites had lived in Egypt for generations, even rising to prominence through Joseph. But something changed with a new ruler. What sparked this sudden fear?
The text highlights a shift: 'Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.' (Exodus 1:8). This 'new king' represents a fresh regime, unburdened by the past benevolence of Joseph. His fear wasn't rooted in any wrongdoing by the Israelites, but in their sheer existence and potential. They were multiplying rapidly, and this growth, instead of being seen as a blessing, was perceived as a threat. The king’s reasoning, 'lest they multiply,' reveals a foundational insecurity. He feared their numbers, projecting onto them a desire to overthrow or escape, even before any such action was taken.
The king didn't want a direct confrontation. He proposed a plan, cloaked in the language of wisdom. What was the real agenda behind his 'clever' scheme?
The phrase 'Let us deal shrewdly with them' (Exodus 1:10) is chilling. It's not about justice or righteousness, but about cunning strategy – 'chkmh' in Hebrew, often translated as wisdom, but here used for craftiness and deception. The king’s 'wisdom' is rooted in preemptive oppression. He fears a future scenario: 'if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.' His plan is twofold: first, to suppress their growth ('lest they multiply'), and second, to ensure they remain dependent and incapable of rebellion or escape. This isn't wise governance; it's the calculated malice of someone who sees a growing population as an inherent threat to his power and security. The strategy aims to break their spirit, weaken them physically, and prevent any possibility of them uniting with external enemies or seeking freedom.
Ask a follow-up
The king’s 'wise' plan led to brutal labor. What was the intended outcome of this harsh treatment, and how did it serve the larger fear?
The 'shrewd dealing' quickly turned into systemic oppression, as detailed in the following verse: 'Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with burdensome tasks' (Exodus 1:11). This wasn't just about economic exploitation for building treasure cities; it was a deliberate strategy to crush the Israelites. The goal was to 'afflict them,' to break their spirits, diminish their health, and ultimately, to control their numbers. By making their lives bitter with hard service, the oppressors aimed to stifle joy, discourage family growth, and make escape seem impossible. It was a multi-pronged attack on their identity, their hope, and their very existence, all stemming from the king's deep-seated fear of their potential power.
Understand the original words
chakam · Hebrew Verb
A Hebrew term often translated as 'wise' or 'prudent,' but frequently carrying a negative connotation of cunning, craftiness, or deceit when used in opposition to God's people or His purposes.
milchamah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to armed conflict; biblically, war is often understood within the context of human struggle, but ultimately subject to God’s sovereign control over the nations.
The fear of the Israelites joining enemies in war wasn't an abstract worry; it was grounded in Egypt's geopolitical reality, where regional conflicts were common and powerful neighboring empires like the Hittites posed a constant threat to Egyptian dominance.
~1800-1550 BC
Hyksos Rule in Egypt
A period where foreign rulers, possibly of Semitic origin, controlled Lower Egypt. This era might have fostered some openness to Semitic peoples like the Israelites.
c. 1550 BC
Expulsion of the Hyksos
The Egyptians, under a native dynasty (the New Kingdom), expelled the Hyksos. This event marked a resurgence of Egyptian nationalism and a potential suspicion of foreign groups.
~1550-1200 BC
The New Kingdom Era
A powerful period for Egypt, marked by expansion and military campaigns, particularly in Canaan. This era saw increased interaction and potential conflict with neighboring peoples.
c. 1450 BC
Thutmose III's Campaigns
The pharaoh Thutmose III conducted numerous military campaigns into Canaan, extending Egyptian influence and control. This solidified Egypt's position as a regional power.
c. 1300-1200 BC
Rise of the Hittites
The Hittite Empire in Anatolia became a significant power, leading to a major geopolitical rivalry with Egypt for control of Syria and Canaan.
Late 13th Century BC— this verse
New Pharaoh's Fear
A new Egyptian pharaoh, unaware of Joseph's past services, comes to power. He views the growing Israelite population not as guests, but as a potential threat, especially with ongoing regional conflicts.
This passage echoes the fear of the Israelites' growing numbers and potential threat to the existing inhabitants, mirroring the Egyptian's shrewd plan to deal with them.
Judges 3:7-8This text shows how Israel's disobedience led to oppression by surrounding nations, illustrating a recurring theme of subjugation and potential alliance with enemies against their oppressor.
Psalm 105:24-25This psalm directly contrasts God's action of multiplying the Israelites with the 'hatred' and 'counsel' of their enemies, directly paralleling the fear and plotting described in Exodus 1:10.
Acts 7:17-19Stephen's speech recounts the same historical period, highlighting Pharaoh's fear of the Israelites multiplying and his 'crafty devices' to prevent it, aligning with the 'deal shrewdly' of Exodus 1:10.
Romans 12:17-21This passage offers a divine perspective on responding to enemies and evil, contrasting with Pharaoh's 'shrewd' and wicked counsel, and calling believers to overcome evil with good.
clarkeExodus 1:10: "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."
They join also unto our enemies - It has been conjectured that Pharaoh had probably his eye on the oppressions which Egypt had suffered under the shepherd-kings, who for a long series of years had, according to Manetho, governed the land with extreme cruelty. As the Israelit…
calvinExodus 1:8-11: "Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph."
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 right against us, and so get them up out of the land.
Agedum, prudenter nos geramus erga illum, ne multiplicetur; ne accidat, si obvenerit bellum, jungatur ipse quoque hostibus nostris, et pugnet contra nos, ascendatque e terra.
Therefore they did…
Pharaoh's strategy isn't just about controlling numbers; it's a calculated fear of Israel becoming a powerful fifth column. He worries that if Egypt faces an external threat, the Israelites might join the enemy not just to escape, but to actively fight against Egypt itself.
Facing a growing Israelite population, the new Egyptian king fears they might multiply too much and, if Egypt faces war, could join their enemies. This insecurity, stemming from Egypt's historical vulnerabilities to external threats and potentially seeing the Israelites as a similar "foreign" group, prompts a plan to oppress them before they become a greater threat or opportunity for escape. The Egyptians decide to enslave them with hard labor, hoping to weaken them numerically and prevent them from potentially rebelling or fleeing the land.
Facing a growing Israelite population, the new Egyptian king fears they might multiply too much and, if Egypt faces war, could join their enemies. This insecurity, stemming from Egypt's historical vulnerabilities to external threats and potentially seeing the Israelites as a similar "foreign" group, prompts a plan to oppress them before they become a greater threat or opportunity for escape. The Egyptians decide to enslave them with hard labor, hoping to weaken them numerically and prevent them from potentially rebelling or fleeing the land.
"Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.”" — Pharaoh's strategy isn't just about controlling numbers; it's a calculated fear of Israel becoming a powerful fifth column. He worries that if Egypt faces an external threat, the Israelites might joi…
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Last reviewed October 2026