Exodus 1:11 - Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses.
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What does "Exodus 1:11" mean?
This verse from Exodus 1:11 describes the harsh conditions imposed on the Israelites by the Egyptians. Let's break it down:
"Therefore they set taskmasters over them..." - "They" refers to the Egyptians. The verse explains that because the Israelites were numerous and strong, the Egyptians became fearful and decided to oppress them. Taskmasters were overseers or supervisors who were responsible for ensuring the Israelites fulfilled their assigned work. Their role was to make sure the Israelites were working hard and meeting their quotas.
"...to afflict them with their burdens." - This highlights the purpose of the taskmasters: to make the Israelites' lives miserable through heavy labor. The "burdens" represent the difficult and exhausting tasks they were forced to perform. The word "afflict" shows the intentional cruelty of the Egyptians. They wanted to break the Israelites' spirit and reduce their population's growth by wearing them out.
"They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses." - This states the specific kind of forced labor the Israelites were compelled to do. They were made to construct "storage cities" for the Pharaoh (the Egyptian ruler). These cities, Pithom and Raamses, were designed to store provisions, supplies, and possibly military equipment for the Egyptian empire. The fact that the Israelites were building these cities emphasizes their status as slaves and the resources they were providing to their oppressors.
In summary, Exodus 1:11 illustrates the Egyptians' strategy to control and weaken the growing Israelite population through forced labor and oppression. It sets the stage for the subsequent events in the Book of Exodus, where God hears the Israelites' cries and raises up Moses to lead them out of slavery.
Exodus 1:11 - Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses.
What does "Exodus 1:11" mean?
This verse from Exodus 1:11 describes the harsh conditions imposed on the Israelites by the Egyptians. Let's break it down:
"Therefore they set taskmasters over them..." - "They" refers to the Egyptians. The verse explains that because the Israelites were numerous and strong, the Egyptians became fearful and decided to oppress them. Taskmasters were overseers or supervisors who were responsible for ensuring the Israelites fulfilled their assigned work. Their role was to make sure the Israelites were working hard and meeting their quotas.
"...to afflict them with their burdens." - This highlights the purpose of the taskmasters: to make the Israelites' lives miserable through heavy labor. The "burdens" represent the difficult and exhausting tasks they were forced to perform. The word "afflict" shows the intentional cruelty of the Egyptians. They wanted to break the Israelites' spirit and reduce their population's growth by wearing them out.
"They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses." - This states the specific kind of forced labor the Israelites were compelled to do. They were made to construct "storage cities" for the Pharaoh (the Egyptian ruler). These cities, Pithom and Raamses, were designed to store provisions, supplies, and possibly military equipment for the Egyptian empire. The fact that the Israelites were building these cities emphasizes their status as slaves and the resources they were providing to their oppressors.
In summary, Exodus 1:11 illustrates the Egyptians' strategy to control and weaken the growing Israelite population through forced labor and oppression. It sets the stage for the subsequent events in the Book of Exodus, where God hears the Israelites' cries and raises up Moses to lead them out of slavery.