Exodus 1:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 1:8-14

The land of Egypt here, at length, becomes to Israel a house of bondage, though hitherto it had been a happy shelter and settlement for them. Note, The place of our satisfaction may soon become the place of our affliction, and that may prove the greatest cross to us of which we said, This same shall comfort us. Those may prove our sworn enemies whose parents were our faithful friends; nay, the same persons that loved us may possibly turn to hate us: therefore cease from man, and say not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 1:8

Now there arose up a new king over Egypt ,.... Stephen calls him another king, Acts 7:18 one of another family, according to Josephus F7 Antiqu. l. 2. c. 9. sect. 1. ; who was not of the seed royal, as Aben Ezra; and Sir John Marsham F8 Canon. Chron. Sec. 8. p. 107. thinks this was Salatis, who, according to Manetho F9 Apud Joseph. Contr. Apion. l. 1. sect. 14. , was the first of the Hycsi or pastor kings that ruled in lower Egypt; but these kings seem to have reigned... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:8

There arose up a new king - Who this was it is difficult to say. It was probably Ramesses Miamun, or his son Amenophis, who succeeded him in the government of Egypt about A. M. 2400, before Christ 1604. Which knew not Joseph - The verb ידע yada , which we translate to know, often signifies to acknowledge or approve. See Judges 2:10 ; Psalm 1:6 ; Psalm 31:7 ; Hosea 2:8 ; Amos 3:2 . The Greek verbs ειδω and γινωσκω are used precisely in the same sense in the New... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:8

Verse 8 8.Now there arose a new king. When more than one hundred years had been happily passed in freedom and repose, the condition of the elect people began to be changed. Moses relates that the commencement of their troubles proceeded from jealousy, and from the groundless fear of the Egyptians, because they conceived that danger might arise from this strange nation, unless they hastened to oppress it. But before he comes to this, he premises that the remembrance of the benefits received from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:1-22

The prosperity of Israel. This prosperity was not a mere appearance, nor a passing spurt of fortune. It was a deep, abiding, and significant reality. Nor was it something exaggerated in order to make an excuse for the cruelties of a suspicious tyrant. There was indeed only too much to make Pharaoh uneasy; but altogether apart from his alarms there is a plain and emphatic statement of the prosperity of Israel in Exodus 1:7 . It is a very emphatic statement indeed, summoning us m the most... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:7-11

A multiplying people and a king's fears. The increase of Israel in Egypt excited Pharaoh's jealousy. They were a useful people, and he dreaded their departure ( Exodus 1:10 ). But their staying was almost equally an occasion of uneasiness. Their position in Lower Egypt, so near the frontier, made them dangerous in case of wars. Revolutions were not infrequent, and many things were less likely than a future Hebrew dynasty. Hence the policy of breaking their power, and checking their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:7-12

God the Protector of his people. I. THE MULTIPLICATION OF ISRAEL . All increase is of God, and comes to man by his blessing. As he gave the original command, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth" ( Genesis 1:28 ), so he in every case gives the new lives by which the earth is replenished. "Children, and the fruit of the womb, are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord" ( Psalms 128:3 ). He gives or withholds offspring as he pleases; enlarges families,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:7-14

Here the real narrative of Exodus begins. The history of the Israelites from and after the death of Joseph is entered on. The first point touched is their rapid multiplication . The next their falling under the dominion of a new king . The third, his mode of action under the circumstances . It is remarkable that the narrative contains no notes of time. How long the increase continued before the new king arose, how long it went on before he noticed it, how long the attempt was made to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:7-14

Israel in Egypt. The life of a people, like that of an individual, to a great extent shaped by circumstances. In Canaan the Israelites might learn hardihood, but no room for much growth; few opportunities for national organisation; the tendency would be for the families to separate, each seeking pasturage for its own flocks (cf. Abraham and Lot). To become a nation they had to be placed To attain this object God led his people into Egypt. [Cf. (1) Hothouse where plants may strike and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:8

There arose up a new king . It is asked, Does this mean merely another king, or a completely different king, one of a new dynasty or a new family, not bound by precedent, but free to adopt and likely to adopt quite new principles of government? The latter seems the more probable supposition; but it is probable only, not certain. Assuming it to be what is really meant, we have to ask, What changes of dynasty fall within the probable period of the Israelite sojourn in Egypt, and to which of... read more

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