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 (Genesis 1:28), to Noah (Genesis 9:1), and to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 26:1–5). Joseph would be used to bring the sons of Jacob to Egypt where they would become a nation (Genesis 37:26–27; 45:5–8; 50:20). Moses would be the man used by God to bring them back to the land He had promised to give to Abraham and his descendants forever (Genesis 13:14–17).Further details are also added to describe the numerical growth of the Jewish people. God's blessing is evident in the bearing of many children among the Israelites. The result was a densely populated area of Goshen. For the people of 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 (Exodus 1:8).