Hashem your G-d has multiplied you, and behold, you are this day as many as the stars of the sky.
The Ohr Hachaim asks about this possuk: Where do we see this happening? Klal Yisroel had hardly increased in the years between the Exodus and this conversation. They left at about 600,000 people, and after the erection of the Mishkan, they counted to 603,550, hardly a mammoth increase. What does the Torah mean?
The Sifrei explains that this multiplication is qualitative, where Klal Yisroel has become greater than their judges. The Zohar says that when one mentions the abundance of good that has occurred to him, the power of evil influences increases. A person must be careful not to enumerate his successes or dwell on them because that invites the opposite of blessing. Another Zohar says that whenever someone has the Holy name of Hashem on him, evil powers have no ability over him.
Moshe told Hashem that Klal Yisroel was too great for him to carry. This was a dangerous move because the evil powers had become strengthened. Moshe immediately mentioned Hashem’s name to return their protection from the evil powers.
