Exodus 1:14 - and they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all kinds of service in the field, all their service, in which they ruthlessly made them serve.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Exodus 1:14" mean?
Exodus 1:14 describes the harsh oppression of the Israelites by the Egyptians. Let's break it down:
"and they made their lives bitter with hard service": This sets the scene. The Egyptians didn't just make the Israelites work; they made their lives miserable through the intensity and nature of the labor. The word "bitter" emphasizes the emotional and psychological toll.
"in mortar and in brick": This specifies one type of hard labor: construction. Making mortar (a binding paste) and bricks was physically demanding work, especially in the hot Egyptian climate. It likely refers to the large-scale building projects the Egyptians were known for.
"and in all kinds of service in the field": This broadens the scope of the oppression. It wasn't just construction; the Israelites were forced into agricultural labor as well. This could include planting, harvesting, irrigation, and tending to livestock – all arduous tasks.
"all their service, in which they ruthlessly made them serve": This reinforces the idea of total control and brutality. "All their service" indicates that no aspect of the Israelites' lives was free from forced labor. The word "ruthlessly" highlights the Egyptians' complete disregard for the Israelites' well-being. There was no kindness, compassion, or limits placed on the demands made of them.
In essence, the verse paints a picture of total oppression, where the Egyptians deliberately made the Israelites' lives unbearable through forced labor, ranging from construction to agriculture, with no consideration for their suffering. The purpose of the verse is to emphasize the extreme injustice the Israelites endured, thereby justifying the subsequent acts of liberation that follow in the Book of Exodus. It sets the stage for the drama of the Exodus story and the need for divine intervention.
Exodus 1:14 - and they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all kinds of service in the field, all their service, in which they ruthlessly made them serve.
What does "Exodus 1:14" mean?
Exodus 1:14 describes the harsh oppression of the Israelites by the Egyptians. Let's break it down:
"and they made their lives bitter with hard service": This sets the scene. The Egyptians didn't just make the Israelites work; they made their lives miserable through the intensity and nature of the labor. The word "bitter" emphasizes the emotional and psychological toll.
"in mortar and in brick": This specifies one type of hard labor: construction. Making mortar (a binding paste) and bricks was physically demanding work, especially in the hot Egyptian climate. It likely refers to the large-scale building projects the Egyptians were known for.
"and in all kinds of service in the field": This broadens the scope of the oppression. It wasn't just construction; the Israelites were forced into agricultural labor as well. This could include planting, harvesting, irrigation, and tending to livestock – all arduous tasks.
"all their service, in which they ruthlessly made them serve": This reinforces the idea of total control and brutality. "All their service" indicates that no aspect of the Israelites' lives was free from forced labor. The word "ruthlessly" highlights the Egyptians' complete disregard for the Israelites' well-being. There was no kindness, compassion, or limits placed on the demands made of them.
In essence, the verse paints a picture of total oppression, where the Egyptians deliberately made the Israelites' lives unbearable through forced labor, ranging from construction to agriculture, with no consideration for their suffering. The purpose of the verse is to emphasize the extreme injustice the Israelites endured, thereby justifying the subsequent acts of liberation that follow in the Book of Exodus. It sets the stage for the drama of the Exodus story and the need for divine intervention.