Exodus 1:11

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

Therefore they did set {H7760} over them taskmasters {H4522}{H8269} to afflict {H6031} them with their burdens {H5450}. And they built {H1129} for Pharaoh {H6547} treasure {H4543} cities {H5892}, Pithom {H6619} and Raamses {H7486}.

So they put slavemasters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built for Pharaoh the storage cities of Pitom and Ra'amses.

So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.

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

Commentary

Exodus 1:11 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites in Egypt, detailing the escalation of their subjugation by Pharaoh. Following the death of Joseph and his generation, a new king arose who "knew not Joseph". This verse directly describes the oppressive measures taken against the burgeoning Israelite population, driven by the Egyptians' fear of their growing numbers and potential alliance with an enemy.

Historical and Cultural Context

The setting of this verse is ancient Egypt during the New Kingdom period. The "taskmasters" (Hebrew: sarei missim, meaning "chiefs of forced labor" or "superintendents of tribute") were officials appointed by Pharaoh to oversee the Israelite workforce. Their purpose was explicitly "to afflict them with their burdens," indicating a deliberate policy of harsh labor and humiliation. The construction of "treasure cities" (Hebrew: arei miskenot, "store cities") like Pithom and Raamses was a common practice for pharaohs to house provisions, military supplies, and valuable goods. These cities were strategically important and required immense labor to build, often employing subjugated peoples. Historical and archaeological evidence suggests these cities were indeed built or significantly expanded during the reign of powerful pharaohs like Ramesses II, adding a layer of historical authenticity to the biblical account.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Systematic Oppression: This verse vividly portrays the systematic nature of the Egyptians' oppression. It was not random cruelty but a state-sanctioned policy designed to control and weaken the Israelites through forced labor and affliction.
  • Pharaoh's Fear and Control: Pharaoh's actions were motivated by fear of the Israelites' rapid increase in numbers and potential strength. The heavy burdens were intended to break their spirit and curb their growth.
  • The Burden of Slavery: The phrase "afflict them with their burdens" underscores the physical hardship and emotional suffering imposed upon God's chosen people. Their labor directly benefited their oppressors, building monuments to Egyptian power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "afflict" here is 'anah (ืขึธื ึธื”), which carries a strong connotation of humbling, oppressing, or causing severe suffering. It implies not just physical toil but also emotional and spiritual distress. The "burdens" (sivlot - ืกึดื‘ึฐืœึนืช) refer to heavy loads, emphasizing the exhausting nature of their forced labor under the taskmasters.

Related Scriptures

This verse sets the stage for God's redemptive plan. The affliction described here directly precedes God's call to Moses to deliver His people. God explicitly states His awareness of their suffering in Exodus 3:7, saying, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows." This period of affliction was also prophesied to Abraham in Genesis 15:13, preparing the reader for divine intervention.

Practical Application

Exodus 1:11 serves as a powerful reminder of the pervasive nature of injustice and oppression throughout history. It highlights that even in the darkest periods of human suffering, God is keenly aware of His people's plight. For believers today, this verse offers solace that no suffering goes unnoticed by God. It also calls us to consider our role in addressing modern forms of oppression and injustice, knowing that God stands with the afflicted and ultimately brings about deliverance and justice, as He did for the Israelites from their Egyptian bondage.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 15:13 (11 votes)

    And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

  • Genesis 47:11 (6 votes)

    And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.

  • Exodus 3:7 (6 votes)

    ยถ And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which [are] in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

  • Exodus 2:11 (6 votes)

    ยถ And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.

  • Deuteronomy 26:6 (4 votes)

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

  • Psalms 81:6 (4 votes)

    I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.

  • 2 Chronicles 8:4 (3 votes)

    And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities, which he built in Hamath.