Exodus 1:13
And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲבִ֧דוּ
made
H5647
וַיַּֽעֲבִ֧דוּ
made
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
1 of 6
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֥י
the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 6
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Historical Context
Egyptian sources rarely document harsh treatment of laborers, but archaeological evidence and comparative ancient Near Eastern practices confirm brutal conditions for state slaves. The Hebrew text's emphasis on "rigour" suggests treatment exceeding normal forced labor—deliberate cruelty intended to break the people.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain spiritual identity when external forces seek to crush your dignity and humanity?
- What does the escalation from forced labor to brutal oppression teach about the nature of sin and tyranny?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour (וַיַּעֲבִדוּ מִצְרַיִם אֶת־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּפָרֶךְ, vaya'avidu Mitsrayim et-benei Yisra'el befarekh)—Rigour (פֶּרֶךְ, farekh) denotes brutal, crushing, ruthless oppression. This intensified cruelty follows the failure of forced labor to suppress population growth. The verb made to serve (עָבַד, avad) will become thematic in Exodus—Israel exchanges service to Pharaoh for service to YHWH (3:12, 4:23). The escalating harshness prepares for Israel's desperate cry (2:23) and God's compassionate response (2:24-25).