Deuteronomy 26:6

And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:

And the Egyptians {H4713} evil entreated {H7489} us, and afflicted {H6031} us, and laid {H5414} upon us hard {H7186} bondage {H5656}:

But the Egyptians treated us badly; they oppressed us and imposed harsh slavery on us.

But the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor.

And the Egyptians dealt ill with us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:

Commentary

Deuteronomy 26:6 is part of the "firstfruits" ceremony, where an Israelite bringing the first of their harvest was required to recite a historical confession before the priest. This verse specifically recalls the bitter period of Israel's enslavement in Egypt, highlighting the severe oppression they endured before God's mighty deliverance.

Context

This verse is embedded within a liturgical confession prescribed for the offering of firstfruits (Deuteronomy 26:1-11). The act of bringing the first portion of the land's produce served as a tangible expression of gratitude and reliance on God. The accompanying spoken confession ensured that the individual remembered their humble beginnings as a "perishing Aramean" (Deuteronomy 26:5) and God's powerful intervention to bring them into the promised land. Verse 6 specifically focuses on the suffering in Egypt, forming a crucial part of this historical narrative of God's faithfulness.

Key Themes

  • Oppression and Suffering: The verse paints a stark picture of the harsh realities of Israel's bondage, emphasizing the cruelty and affliction they experienced under Egyptian rule. This serves as a reminder of the depths from which God delivered them.
  • Historical Remembrance: The command to recount this history ensured that the Israelites, across generations, would never forget their origins or the mighty acts of God on their behalf. This act of remembering God's past faithfulness was crucial for maintaining their identity and covenant relationship.
  • Setting the Stage for Deliverance: While this verse describes the suffering, it implicitly sets the stage for the glorious deliverance that followed, which is detailed in the subsequent verses of the confession (Deuteronomy 26:7-8).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses strong terms to convey the severity of the treatment:

  • "Evil entreated us": The Hebrew word here, ra'a', means to do evil, to harm, or to treat badly. It conveys a deliberate and malicious intent in their mistreatment.
  • "Afflicted us": From the Hebrew 'anah, this word implies humbling, oppressing, or causing suffering. It speaks to the burden and distress laid upon them.
  • "Hard bondage": The Hebrew 'abodah qashah literally means "hard service" or "heavy labor." It highlights the arduous, back-breaking, and dehumanizing nature of their enslavement, as also described in Exodus 1:13-14.
These terms collectively emphasize the comprehensive nature of the oppression, affecting their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Cross-References & Connections

This verse directly echoes the historical accounts found in the book of Exodus. For instance, Exodus 1:11-14 details the strategies the Egyptians employed to oppress the Israelites, including the imposition of forced labor and harsh conditions. The suffering described here is what prompted God to hear their cry, as recounted in Exodus 3:7, leading to the divine intervention through Moses.

Practical Application

For believers today, Deuteronomy 26:6 serves as a powerful reminder of God's redemptive nature. Just as God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage, He delivers us from spiritual bondage to sin and despair. This verse encourages us to:

  • Remember God's Deliverance: Reflect on the "Egypts" in our own lives—times of hardship, sin, or spiritual oppression—and acknowledge God's consistent faithfulness in bringing us through.
  • Cultivate Gratitude: The act of remembering the past suffering and subsequent deliverance should foster a deep sense of gratitude for God's grace and provision in our lives.
  • Empathize with the Oppressed: Understanding the historical suffering of Israel can broaden our empathy and compassion for those who are oppressed or suffering injustice in the world today.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 1:11 (5 votes)

    Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.

  • Exodus 1:14 (4 votes)

    And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, [was] with rigour.

  • Exodus 5:9 (2 votes)

    Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

  • Deuteronomy 4:20 (2 votes)

    But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, [even] out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as [ye are] this day.

  • Exodus 5:19 (2 votes)

    And the officers of the children of Israel did see [that] they [were] in evil [case], after it was said, Ye shall not minish [ought] from your bricks of your daily task.

  • Exodus 1:16 (2 votes)

    And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see [them] upon the stools; if it [be] a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it [be] a daughter, then she shall live.

  • Exodus 5:23 (2 votes)

    For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.