Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 1:12

"But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel." — Exodus 1:12 (ASV)

The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. — This result was not natural. It can only be ascribed to God’s superintending Providence, by which “the fierceness of man” was made to “turn to his praise.” Naturally, severe and constant labor exhausts a nation and causes its numbers to diminish.

They were grieved. — This is scarcely strong enough. Translate, “They were sore distressed.”