Exodus 1:13

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:

Complete Jewish Bible:

and worked them relentlessly,

Berean Standard Bible:

They worked the Israelites ruthlessly

American Standard Version:

And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the Egyptians^{H4714} made^{H5647} the children^{H1121} of Israel^{H3478} to serve^{H5647} with rigour^{H6531}:

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Exodus 1:13

Exodus 1:13, "And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour," is a pivotal verse that captures a significant shift in the relationship between the Israelites and the Egyptians. This verse is set within the broader context of the book of Exodus, which begins after the death of Joseph and his generation. The Israelites, once welcomed guests in Egypt due to Joseph's high position under Pharaoh, have now become a sizable minority, stirring fear and suspicion among the new Egyptian leadership.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the demographic increase of the Israelite population, which, according to Exodus 1:7, was so vast that the land was "filled with them." The new Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, saw the Israelites not as benefactors, as in Joseph's time, but as a potential threat—a people who might ally with Egypt's enemies or rise up against the Egyptians due to their growing numbers.

Exodus 1:13 specifically addresses the harsh labor imposed on the Israelites. The term "serve with rigour" suggests that the Egyptians subjected the Israelites to forced labor with harshness and severity. This oppression was a strategic move by the Pharaoh to weaken the Israelites and control their population growth through hard service and affliction. The verse underscores themes of oppression, injustice, and the struggle for survival against the backdrop of a once-hospitable environment turned hostile. It sets the stage for the epic narrative of the Exodus, where the Israelites' suffering cries out to God, leading to a series of divine interventions to deliver them from bondage and establish them as a nation.

This verse is a turning point that introduces the central theme of liberation in the book of Exodus, highlighting the resilience of the Israelites in the face of extreme adversity and the faithfulness of God in keeping His covenantal promises to His people. It also foreshadows the emergence of Moses, who will become the deliverer of the Israelites, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for His chosen people.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4714
   There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
   Transliteration: Mitsrayim
   Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
   Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5647
   There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַד
   Transliteration: ʻâbad
   Pronunciation: aw-bad'
   Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,
   
3. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6531
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּרֶךְ
   Transliteration: perek
   Pronunciation: peh'-rek
   Description: from an unused root meaning to break apart; fracture, i.e. severity; cruelty, rigour.