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Exodus 1:14

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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.

And they made {H4843} their lives {H2416} bitter {H4843} with hard {H7186} bondage {H5656}, in morter {H2563}, and in brick {H3843}, and in all manner of service {H5656} in the field {H7704}: all their service {H5656}, wherein they made them serve {H5647}, was with rigour {H6531}.

making their lives bitter with hard labor -digging clay, making bricks, all kinds of field work; and in all this toil they were shown no mercy.

and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh.

and they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field, all their service, wherein they made them serve with rigor.

Commentary

Exodus 1:14 graphically illustrates the dire circumstances of the Israelites in ancient Egypt, detailing the severe and relentless nature of their forced labor under Pharaoh's oppressive regime.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is situated early in the book of Exodus, after a new pharaoh, who "knew not Joseph" (Exodus 1:8), rose to power. Alarmed by the rapid growth and prosperity of the Israelite population, Pharaoh implemented a policy of enslavement to control and diminish them. The work described—"in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field"—was typical of the large-scale construction and agricultural projects of ancient Egypt, including the building of store cities like Pithom and Raamses. However, the unique aspect of this enslavement was its extreme cruelty and the explicit intent to make the Israelites' lives unbearable.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Suffering: The phrase "made their lives bitter" conveys not just physical exhaustion but a deep, pervasive misery that stripped life of joy and hope. It speaks to the psychological and emotional toll of relentless, forced labor.
  • Systematic Oppression: The detailed description of their work and the concluding statement "all their service... was with rigour" highlights the systematic and cruel nature of their bondage. It was designed to crush their spirit and break their will.
  • Divine Awareness: While this verse focuses on human cruelty, it forms the backdrop for God's subsequent intervention. The intensity of their suffering is precisely what causes God to hear their groaning and prepare for their miraculous deliverance, underscoring His compassion for the afflicted.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "bitter" is marar (מָרַר), which can mean to be grievous, harsh, or sorrowful. It vividly portrays the profound unhappiness and hardship that permeated every aspect of the Israelites' daily existence.
  • The term translated "rigour" is parekh (פָּרֶךְ), meaning severity, cruelty, or brutality. It emphasizes that the service was not merely difficult but was enforced with a merciless and oppressive hand, devoid of compassion or humanity.

Practical Application

Exodus 1:14 serves as a powerful testament to the enduring presence of oppression and injustice throughout history. It offers several vital lessons for today:

  • Empathy for the Oppressed: It calls believers to recognize and respond with compassion to those who suffer under various forms of bondage, exploitation, or systemic injustice in the world today.
  • Hope in God's Intervention: Despite the seemingly hopeless situation of the Israelites, this verse is part of a larger narrative that leads to God's powerful act of liberation. It provides assurance that God sees and hears the cries of His people and is faithful to deliver them from their afflictions.
  • Warning Against Dehumanization: It stands as a timeless warning against the abuse of power and the dehumanization of others, urging us to champion justice, dignity, and freedom for all people.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 7:19 (6 votes)

    The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

  • Numbers 20:15 (6 votes)

    How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:

  • Exodus 6:9 (5 votes)

    And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.

  • Exodus 2:23 (5 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

  • Acts 7:34 (3 votes)

    I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.

  • Isaiah 58:6 (3 votes)

    [Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

  • Psalms 81:6 (3 votes)

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