Exodus 1:14

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְמָֽרְר֨וּ
And they made
to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively)
#2
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
חַיֵּיהֶ֜ם
their lives
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#4
עֲבֹ֣דָתָ֔ם
all their service
work of any kind
#5
קָשָׁ֗ה
with hard
severe (in various applications)
#6
בְּחֹ֙מֶר֙
in morter
properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure
#7
וּבִלְבֵנִ֔ים
and in brick
a brick (from the whiteness of the clay)
#8
וּבְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#9
עֲבֹ֣דָתָ֔ם
all their service
work of any kind
#10
בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה
in the field
a field (as flat)
#11
אֵ֚ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#12
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
עֲבֹ֣דָתָ֔ם
all their service
work of any kind
#14
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
עָֽבְד֥וּ
wherein they made them serve
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#16
בָהֶ֖ם
H0
#17
בְּפָֽרֶךְ׃
was with rigour
fracture, i.e., severity

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Exodus. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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