Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 9. He said unto his people] He probably summoned a council of his nobles and elders to consider the subject; and the result was to persecute and destroy them, as is afterwards stated.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-14 - The land of Egypt became to Israel a house of bondage. The place wher we have been happy, may soon become the place of our affliction; an that may prove the greatest cross to us, of which we said, This sam shall comfort us. Cease from man, and say not of any place on this sid heaven, This is my rest. All that knew Joseph, loved him, and were kin to his brethren for his sake; but the best and most useful services man does to others, are soon forgotten after his death. Our great car should be, to serve God, and to please him who is not unrighteous whatever men are, to forget our work and labour of love. The offence of Israel is, that he prospers. There is no sight more hateful to a wicke man than the prosperity of the righteous. The Egyptians feared lest the children of Israel should join their enemies, and get them up out of the land. Wickedness is ever cowardly and unjust; it makes a man fear where no fear is, and flee, when no one pursues him. And human wisdo often is foolishness, and very sinful. God's people had task-master set over them, not only to burden them, but to afflict them with their burdens. They not only made them serve for Pharaoh's profit, but s that their lives became bitter. The Israelites wonderfully increased Christianity spread most when it was persecuted: the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church. They that take counsel against the Lord and his Israel, do but imagine a vain thing, and create greate vexation to themselves.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 אל413 עמו5971 הנה2009 עם5971 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 רב7227 ועצום6099 ממנו׃4480
