Exodus 1:14
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְמָֽרְר֨וּ
And they made
H4843
וַיְמָֽרְר֨וּ
And they made
Strong's:
H4843
Word #:
1 of 17
to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חַיֵּיהֶ֜ם
their lives
H2416
חַיֵּיהֶ֜ם
their lives
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
3 of 17
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
בְּחֹ֙מֶר֙
in morter
H2563
בְּחֹ֙מֶר֙
in morter
Strong's:
H2563
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure
וּבְכָל
H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Acts 7:19The 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 20:15How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:Exodus 2:23And 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.Exodus 6:9And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.Isaiah 58:6Is 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?Acts 7:34I 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.Psalms 81:6I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.
Historical Context
Brick-making required mixing Nile mud with straw, forming bricks in wooden molds, and drying them in the sun—backbreaking work under Egypt's intense heat. Field service included irrigation, planting, and harvesting for Pharaoh's estates. The comprehensive nature ("all manner of service") indicates total subjugation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding Israel's bitter slavery deepen your appreciation for redemption imagery throughout Scripture?
- When life's circumstances feel bitter, how can you trust that God is preparing a greater deliverance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field (וַיְמָרְרוּ אֶת־חַיֵּיהֶם בַּעֲבֹדָה קָשָׁה, vayemareru et-chayeihem ba'avodah kashah)—Made bitter (מָרַר, marar) connects to the later Passover's maror (bitter herbs, 12:8), memorial of this suffering. Morter and brick describes clay brick production, confirmed by Egyptian tomb paintings showing Semitic slaves making mud bricks. All their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour—the repetition of "rigour" (בְּפָרֶךְ, befarekh) bookends the verse, emphasizing relentless cruelty. This bitterness prepares Israel to appreciate deliverance and shapes their identity as a redeemed people.