# God protected these midwives God kept Pharaoh from killing these midwives. # The people increased in numbers "The Israelites increased in numbers". This was in fulfillment of the covenant God made with Abraham and caused the Egyptians great concern that there would be more Israelites than Egyptians because they would be unable to defend themselves. Pharaoh also tried to kill all of the male babies so they would not become soldiers who would fight against him. # became very mighty They were mighty because there were so many of them.