But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text uses a cascade of intensifying words—"fruitful," "increased abundantly," "multiplied," "grew exceedingly strong"—not just to emphasize their numbers, but to reveal God's active blessing, turning their presence in Egypt into a miraculous fulfillment of His promises even before they faced hardship. This isn't just population growth; it's a divine stamp of favor and power laying the groundwork for what's to come.
But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The opening of Exodus sets the scene after Joseph and his generation have passed away, establishing that the Israelites were initially welcomed and thrived in the land of Goshen. This verse highlights their incredible population boom, which is presented as a direct fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation. This burgeoning strength and sheer number, however, will soon become the very reason for the new Egyptian king's fear and subsequent oppression.
Have you ever felt like your blessings are just enough to get by? This verse shouts a different kind of abundance.
The text uses several powerful words to describe Israel's growth: 'fruitful,' 'increased abundantly,' 'multiplied,' and 'grew exceedingly strong.' This isn't just survival; it's a supernatural flourishing.
A Divine Flood
God's promise to Abraham was that his descendants would be like the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore (Genesis 22:17). This verse shows that promise beginning to bloom. Even in a foreign land, and soon to be under harsh oppression, their core identity was one of fruitfulness.
Beyond Natural Capacity
Commentators note that the original language uses terms that evoke images of healthy growth (like trees) and prolific life (like fish and insects). This hints at an increase that went beyond ordinary human reproduction. It was a sign of God's active blessing, designed to make them a great nation as He intended.
Imagine a small group swelling so much they begin to fill an entire region. This wasn't accidental; it was purpose.
The final phrase, 'so that the land was filled with them,' is the culmination of the preceding descriptions. It signifies the tangible result of God's promise and blessing.
More Than Just Population Growth
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This filling of the land was a physical manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness. It demonstrated His power to bring about His purposes, even in a foreign land where they were outsiders. It was a testament to His commitment to Abraham's descendants.
A Sign of Favor (Initially)
At this stage, before the oppression, this massive growth was likely seen as a positive sign. It showed they were thriving under God's favor, living in the fertile region of Goshen. The land's capacity to hold them speaks to both their immense numbers and God's provision.
Understand the original words
parah · Hebrew Verb
A verb describing the capacity to produce offspring, often used in Scripture to denote God's blessing and the fulfillment of His covenant command to be fruitful and multiply.
Yisra'el · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the ethnic and covenantal descendants of the patriarch Jacob, whom God renamed Israel; they are the chosen people through whom God reveals His plan of redemption.
This incredible multiplication wasn't just a natural phenomenon; it was the direct fulfillment of a divine promise made centuries earlier to Abraham. Despite living in a foreign land and eventually facing harsh oppression, God's covenant kept His people growing strong.
c. 1800 BC
Abraham called to leave Ur
God calls Abram (later Abraham) and promises to make him a great nation. This marks the beginning of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants, including the promise of vast multiplication.
c. 1730 BC
Jacob and family move to Egypt
Jacob (Israel) and his family, numbering about 70 people, move to Egypt during a famine. They settle in the land of Goshen, welcomed by Pharaoh due to Joseph's influence.
Unknown (after Joseph's death)
Joseph's influence fades
Joseph and his generation pass away. Without Joseph's protection, the Egyptians begin to view the growing Israelite population with suspicion and fear.
c. 1490 BC - 1450 BC— this verse
Israelite population explodes
The Israelites experience phenomenal growth, becoming incredibly numerous and strong. Their population fills the region of Goshen, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham.
c. 1450 BC
New Pharaoh rises in Egypt
A new dynasty or Pharaoh comes to power who does not know or value Joseph's contributions. This ruler views the burgeoning Israelite population as a threat.
c. 1450 BC
Israelites forced into slavery
The Egyptians begin to oppress the Israelites, forcing them into brutal slave labor. This marks the beginning of their 400-year period of affliction foretold to Abraham.
This passage directly echoes the promise made to Abraham, which underpins this incredible multiplication of his descendants.
Deuteronomy 10:22This verse serves as a clear reminder of Jacob's small family entering Egypt, contrasting it with the immense multitude they would become, highlighting the miraculous nature of their growth.
Psalm 107:36This psalm speaks to God's power to bless lands and make populations flourish, paralleling the miraculous fruitfulness of the Israelites in Goshen.
Acts 7:14Stephen's speech recounts the story of Joseph sending for his father and brothers, providing a narrative context for the initial small number of Israelites who would later explode in population.
Isaiah 51:1God uses the example of Abraham and Sarah, who were few but blessed, to show His power to bring about great numbers, similar to the Israelites' exponential growth from a small group.
bensonExodus 1:7: "And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them."
Exodus 1:7 . And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly — Like fishes or insects, as one of the words here used signifies, 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…
calvinExodus 1:1-7: "Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob."
- These are the names It is the intention of Moses to describe the miraculous deliverance of the people, (from whence the Greeks gave the name to the book;) but, before he comes to that, he briefly reminds us that the promise given to Abraham was not ineffectual, that his seed should be multiplied
"as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the…
The text uses a cascade of intensifying words—"fruitful," "increased abundantly," "multiplied," "grew exceedingly strong"—not just to emphasize their numbers, but to reveal God's active blessing, turning their presence in Egypt into a miraculous fulfillment of His promises even before they faced hardship. This isn't just population growth; it's a divine stamp of favor and power laying the groundwork for what's to come.
The opening of Exodus sets the scene after Joseph and his generation have passed away, establishing that the Israelites were initially welcomed and thrived in the land of Goshen. This verse highlights their incredible population boom, which is presented as a direct fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation. This burgeoning strength and sheer number, however, will soon become the very reason for the new Egyptian king's fear and subsequent oppression.
The opening of Exodus sets the scene after Joseph and his generation have passed away, establishing that the Israelites were initially welcomed and thrived in the land of Goshen. This verse highlights their incredible population boom, which is presented as a direct fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation. This burgeoning strength and sheer number, however, will soon become the very reason for the new Egyptian king's fear and subsequent oppression.
"But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them." — The text uses a cascade of intensifying words—"fruitful," "increased abundantly," "multiplied," "grew exceedingly strong"—not just to emphasize their numbers, but to reveal God's active blessing, tur…
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Last reviewed October 2026