In these verses, the Israelites are distinguished from and set against the Egyptians. For example, Pharaoh speaks to his people
about the people of Israel,
creating a contrast between the two groups. Moreover, in calling them a people,
Pharaoh portrays them as a nation within a nation,
and thus as a threat to Egyptian society.1 He underlines this point by speaking of us
and “them. All of this sets up the conflict between Pharaoh and Israel that will play out in the following chapters.
9 And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us.