Exodus 1:10
Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
Original Language Analysis
הָ֥בָה
Come on
H3051
הָ֥בָה
Come on
Strong's:
H3051
Word #:
1 of 19
to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יִרְבֶּ֗ה
with them lest they multiply
H7235
יִרְבֶּ֗ה
with them lest they multiply
Strong's:
H7235
Word #:
5 of 19
to increase (in whatever respect)
וְהָיָ֞ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֞ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִקְרֶ֤אנָה
and it come to pass that when there falleth out
H7122
תִקְרֶ֤אנָה
and it come to pass that when there falleth out
Strong's:
H7122
Word #:
8 of 19
to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner
מִלְחָמָה֙
any war
H4421
מִלְחָמָה֙
any war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
9 of 19
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וְנוֹסַ֤ף
join
H3254
וְנוֹסַ֤ף
join
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
10 of 19
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
הוּא֙
they
H1931
הוּא֙
they
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
12 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְעָלָ֥ה
against us and so get them up
H5927
וְעָלָ֥ה
against us and so get them up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
17 of 19
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
Acts 7:19The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.Proverbs 1:11If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:Psalms 105:25He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.Psalms 10:2The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
Historical Context
Egypt's strategic vulnerability to invasion from the east (via Sinai) made large Semitic populations in the Delta region a legitimate security concern. The Hyksos had invaded from this region centuries earlier. However, Pharaoh's solution—oppression rather than integration—only intensified the problem.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish worldly "wisdom" from godly wisdom when making decisions about perceived threats?
- In what ways have you seen human schemes against God's people ultimately serve His purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Come on, let us deal wisely with them (הָבָה נִתְחַכְּמָה לוֹ, havah nitchakemah lo)—The verb "deal wisely" (חָכַם, chakam) drips with irony: Pharaoh thinks he's being shrewd, but he's actually opposing God's covenant people. This so-called "wisdom" is folly (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:19-20). His three-part fear: lest they multiply, join our enemies, and get them up out of the land. The last phrase is doubly ironic—Pharaoh fears their exodus, which is exactly God's plan! Human schemes cannot thwart divine purposes. Pharaoh's "wisdom" will be exposed as foolishness when God delivers Israel through mighty acts.