Exodus 1:11

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּשִׂ֤ימוּ
Therefore they did set
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#2
עָלָיו֙
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
שָׂרֵ֣י
a head person (of any rank or class)
#4
מִסִּ֔ים
over them taskmasters
properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e., a tax in the form of forced labor
#5
לְמַ֥עַן
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
#6
עַנֹּת֖וֹ
to afflict
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
#7
בְּסִבְלֹתָ֑ם
them with their burdens
porterage
#8
וַיִּ֜בֶן
And they built
to build (literally and figuratively)
#9
עָרֵ֤י
cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#10
מִסְכְּנוֹת֙
treasure
a magazine
#11
לְפַרְעֹ֔ה
for Pharaoh
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
#12
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
פִּתֹ֖ם
Pithom
pithom, a place in egypt
#14
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
רַֽעַמְסֵֽס׃
and Raamses
rameses or raamses, a place in egypt

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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