Because of their failure to contain Israel’s population, the Egyptians come to dread God’s people (see Numbers 22:3, where Moab likewise dreads Israel because of their size). As is often the case where there are tensions between peoples, Egypt’s fear of Israel turns to hatred and resentment (Exodus 1:13–14; Psalm 105:25). This may be indicated by the Hebrew word itself, which is translated to loathe
in several other contexts (e.g., Genesis 27:46; Leviticus 20:23; Numbers 21:5).1 Based on this, some argue that the word should be translated loathed
in Exodus 1:12 as well.2
12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel.