What does Exodus 1:7 mean?
In contrast with the first generation of Jacob's family that numbered seventy people (Exodus 1:5), the Israelites were now "fruitful and increased greatly." This was a continuation of God's command to Adam, to Noah, and to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joseph would be used to bring the sons of Jacob to Egypt where they would become a nation. Moses would then be the man God would use to bring them back to the land He had promised to give to Abraham and his descendants forever.Further details are also added to describe the numerical growth of the Jewish people. They "multiplied and grew exceedingly strong," noting God's blessing upon the bearing of many children among the Israelites. The result was "the land was filled with them," offering a picture of a densely populated area of Goshen. For the people if Israel to simply live there was tolerable. But, once the non-Egyptian population grew to such a size, their potential power threatened the neighboring Egyptians. This uneasy situation serves as the backdrop for Pharaoh's harsh treatment of the Jews.