תהלים, פרק ק״ה, פסוק כ״ה

The relationship between the Egyptians and the Israelites underwent a profound shift. Initially welcomed with open arms and goodwill, the Israelites eventually became the targets of deep jealousy and suspicion, which quickly spiraled into fierce hatred and harsh decrees [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מאירי].

The cause of this drastic change in attitude is a matter of discussion. The primary approach among commentators is that God actively intervened, turning the hearts of the Egyptians against the Israelites. This divine action was necessary to bring about the preordained prophecy that the Israelites would be enslaved and oppressed [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד]. Conversely, a different perspective suggests a natural progression, where the Egyptians' feelings simply soured on their own from love to animosity over time [רד״ק, מאירי]. A third viewpoint places the responsibility entirely on human leadership, arguing that Pharaoh deliberately manipulated his people and ministers, turning their hearts against the Israelites [אלשיך].

Fueled by this intense hatred, the Egyptians began to actively plot against the Israelites. This involved malicious planning, scheming, and the use of calculated cunning with the ultimate goal of destroying the nation and completely erasing its memory. This strategic hostility reflects the calculated decision made by the Egyptian leadership to deal shrewdly with the growing Israelite population [רד״ק, מצודת ציון, אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, מאירי].

The peak of this cruel cunning manifested in Pharaoh's brutal decree to throw every newborn boy into the river. Highlighting the extreme lengths of this deception, one perspective notes that this decree was initially applied even to Egyptian infants. This was a highly calculated move designed to mask the true target and guarantee the death of the specific child destined to eventually redeem the Israelites [אלשיך].