Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. The children of Israel were fruitful] wrp paru, a general term, signifying that they were like healthy trees, bringing forth an abundance of fruit.
And increased] Ĺry yishretsu, they increased like fishes, as the original word implies. See Gen. i. 20, and the note there. See the note on "Gen. i. 20".
Abundantly] wbry yirbu, they multiplied; this is a separate term, and should not have been used as an adverb by our translators.
And waxed exceeding mighty] dam damb wmx[yw vaiyaatsmu bimod meod, and they became strong beyond measure-superlatively, superlatively - so that the land (Goshen) was filled with them. This astonishing increase was, under the providence of God, chiefly owing to two causes: 1. The Hebrew women were exceedingly fruitful, suffered very little in parturition, and probably often brought forth twins. 2. There appear to have been no premature deaths among them. Thus in about two hundred and fifteen years they were multiplied to upwards of 600, 000, independently of old men, women, and children.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - During more than 200 years, while Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived a liberty, the Hebrews increased slowly; only about seventy persons wen down into Egypt. There, in about the same number of years, though unde cruel bondage, they became a large nation. This wonderful increase wa according to the promise long before made unto the fathers. Though the performance of God's promises is sometimes slow, it is always sure.
Original Hebrew ובני1121 ישׂראל3478 פרו6509 וישׁרצו8317 וירבו7235 ויעצמו6105 במאד3966 מאד3966 ותמלא4390 הארץ776 אתם׃854
