en_tn_condensed/exo/01/20.md

God protected these midwives

God kept Pharaoh from killing these midwives.

The people increased in numbers

"The Israelites increased in numbers". Many years had passed since the famine that caused the Israelites to go to Egypt, and the number of Israelites had grown greatly. This was in fulfillment of the covenant God made with Abraham. It also caused the Egyptians great concern that there would be more Israelites than Egyptians because they would be unable to defend themselves against such a large number of people. 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.