Exodus 1:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

From these seventy-five individuals, the descendants of Israel multiplied to six hundred thousand. Observe how Scripture has purposefully revealed this number of those who entered Egypt, enabling us to understand the profound growth from such a small beginning and inspiring our faith in God's promises. In the biblical text, the entirety of humanity is frequently referenced—sometimes as the spirit, and at other times as the physical form. As previously noted: Jacob went down to Egypt with seventy-five souls, without specifying them merely as seventy-five 'men and women.' Thus, it is highlighted here: as per the count of bodies (Gen. 47:12), referring to each person individually.

Question 1: What is the significance of the phrase, ‘There were many’ (Ex. 1: 7)? Moses did not use this expression to belittle the Israelites, as some have wrongly interpreted; instead, he highlighted their vast numbers, indicating they had increased to such an extent that they seemed to overflow across the entire land. This interpretation aligns with that of Aquila. The same idea is conveyed in what follows, as it states that the earth shall increase them (Ex. 1:8). In summary, because they faced oppression, the most numerous among them were greatly multiplied and strengthened (Ex. 1:12).

It is difficult to ascertain the precise lifestyle of the children of Israel during this period, yet it is evident that they adhered to piety and the practice of circumcision. Scripture mentions that “the children of Israel” in Egypt “increased, and many” (χυδαῖοι) “were,” indicating that their prolonged presence in the land and their interactions with the Egyptians, likely due to negligence, led to a certain roughness (τὸ χυδαῖον) among them. The specifics of their diet, what they were required to abstain from, and other commandments of the law had not yet been clearly established.

Beloved brethren, in the scripture we have just read, we learn that following Joseph's death, the descendants of Israel flourished abundantly, multiplying like grass. What does this signify, dear ones? During Joseph's lifetime, the people did not significantly increase in number, but after his passing, they grew as described. In truth, they should have thrived under the guidance and protection of Joseph. Yet, my beloved brethren, the prophetic words regarding the Joseph of the Old Testament find their ultimate fulfillment in our own Joseph, the Lord Jesus Christ. For initially, when our Joseph faced death—specifically, during His crucifixion—few placed their faith in Him.

From the time Jacob relocated to Egypt to the Israelites' departure from that land spanned 215 years. By the end of this duration, their population had grown so significantly that during their exodus from Egypt, they were counted as approximately 600,000 able-bodied men (Exodus 12:37). This figure excludes all women and males under the age of 20 (Numbers 1:3). If we assume that only one-fourth of the Israelites were capable of bearing arms, the total number of Israelites that left Egypt was roughly two and a half million.

The region known as Gessem likely stretched from the Pelusian mouth of the Nile to the adjacent desert, along the eastern bank of that river. Today, this area is referred to as Es-Shurkiye and is recognized for its rich agricultural productivity. The local populace continues to engage in livestock herding and fishing. The land's abundant fertility contributed significantly to the swift growth of the population, which in Egypt typically expanded rapidly unless hindered by severe national disasters. It is noteworthy that from the time Jacob and his family entered Egypt until the rise of the new oppressive dynasty, a period of at least 215 years elapsed. During this time, it seems the Israelites faced no persecution and coexisted peacefully with the surrounding communities.