Exodus 1:13
Exodus 1:13 in Multiple Translations
They worked the Israelites ruthlessly
And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:
And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor:
And they gave the children of Israel even harder work to do:
The Egyptians worked the Israelites brutally,
Wherefore the Egyptians by crueltie caused the children of Israel to serue.
and the Egyptians cause the sons of Israel to serve with rigour,
The Egyptians ruthlessly made the children of Israel serve,
And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor.
And the Egyptians hated the children of Israel, and afflicted them and mocked them:
They forced the Israeli people to work very hard,
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 1:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 1:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּעֲבִ֧דוּ
מִצְרַ֛יִם
אֶת
בְּנֵ֥י
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
בְּ/פָֽרֶךְ
וַ/יַּעֲבִ֧דוּ
ʻâbad
H5647
to serve
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
מִצְרַ֛יִם
Mitsrîy
H4713
Egyptian
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
בְּנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
בְּ/פָֽרֶךְ
perek
H6531
severity
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 1:13
וַ/יַּעֲבִ֧דוּ
ʻâbad
H5647
"to serve"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.
מִצְרַ֛יִם
Mitsrîy
H4713
"Egyptian"
N-proper
In the Bible, this word refers to an Egyptian, someone from the country of Egypt. It appears in the Old Testament, describing people from this northeastern African nation. Egyptians are mentioned in books like Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: Group of mits.ra.yim (מִצְרַ֫יִם "Egypt" H4714G) § Egyptian, of Egypt "double straits" Egyptian-an inhabitant or citizen of Egypt an Egyptian
Usage: Occurs in 67 OT verses. KJV: Egyptian, of Egypt. See also: Genesis 12:12; Exodus 8:17; Ezra 9:1.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בְּנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
בְּ/פָֽרֶךְ
perek
H6531
"severity"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means severity or harshness, like cruelty or rigor. It describes something or someone that is strict or unyielding. In the Bible, it is used to convey a sense of intensity or sternness.
Definition: harshness, severity, cruelty
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: cruelty, rigour. See also: Exodus 1:13; Leviticus 25:46; Ezekiel 34:4.
Study Notes — Exodus 1:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 1:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 1:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 1:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 1:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 1:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 1:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 1:13
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 1:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 1:13
- Sermons on Exodus 1:13
Context — Oppression by a New King
11So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.
12But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.
13They worked the Israelites ruthlessly
14and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh. 15Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 4:20 | Yet the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of His inheritance, as you are today. |
Exodus 1:13 Summary
[This verse tells us that the Egyptians worked the Israelites very hard and treated them cruelly, without caring about their well-being. This was a very sad and difficult time for the Israelites, but God was with them, as He promises to be with us in Joshua 1:9. Even though the Egyptians were mean to them, the Israelites continued to trust in God and obey Him, just like we are encouraged to do in Galatians 6:9. By doing so, they were able to endure their hardships and eventually experience God's deliverance, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to work someone ruthlessly?
To work someone ruthlessly means to force them to work extremely hard without regard for their well-being, as seen in Exodus 1:13, where the Egyptians worked the Israelites ruthlessly, and as warned against in Deuteronomy 24:14, where the Israelites are commanded not to oppress their workers.
Why did the Egyptians treat the Israelites so harshly?
The Egyptians treated the Israelites harshly because they feared them, as stated in Exodus 1:12, and they wanted to keep them under control, but God was with the Israelites, as seen in Genesis 28:15, and He was working out His plan to deliver them.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible?
This verse sets the stage for the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt, which is a type of the believer's deliverance from sin, as seen in Romans 6:17-18, and it shows how God works out His plan despite the opposition of others, as stated in Isaiah 46:10.
What can we learn from the Israelites' experience in this verse?
We can learn that even in difficult circumstances, God is with us, as promised in Joshua 1:9, and that He will ultimately deliver us, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14, so we should trust in Him and not give up, as encouraged in Galatians 6:9.
Reflection Questions
- How have you experienced ruthless treatment or oppression in your life, and how did you respond?
- What are some ways that you can trust God in the midst of difficult circumstances, like the Israelites did?
- How can you apply the principle of not oppressing others, as seen in Deuteronomy 24:14, to your own life and relationships?
- What are some ways that God is working out His plan in your life, despite the opposition of others, and how can you cooperate with Him?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 1:13
And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 1:13
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 1:13
Or, cruelty, or, tyranny; with hard words and cruel usage, without mercy or mitigation. This God permitted for wise and just reasons. 1. As a punishment of their idolatry, into which divers of them fell there. ,7,8 23:8 2. To wean them from the land of Egypt, which otherwise was a plentiful and desirable land, and to quicken their desires after Canaan. 3. To prepare the way for God’ s glorious works, and Israel’ s deliverance.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 1:13
Exodus 1:13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:Ver. 13. To serve with rigour.] Heb. ( áôøê), With fierceness: so thinking to cow out their spirits, and to exanimate them. So deals the Turk with the Christians. Quidam cam ferocia voce latina conferunt.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 1:13
(13) With rigour.—Forced labour in Egypt was of a very severe character. Those condemned to it worked from morning to night under the rod of a task-master, which was freely applied to their legs or backs, if they rested their weary limbs for a moment. (See Records of the Past, vol. viii. p. 149; Chabas, Mélanges Egyptolo-giques, vol. ii. p. 121). The heat of the sun was great; the burthens which the labourers had to carry were heavy, and the toil was incessant. Death often resulted from the, excessive work. According to Herodotus, a single monarch, Neco, destroyed in this way 120,000 of his subjects (Herod, ii. 158).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 1:13
Verse 13. To serve with rigour] בפרך bepharech, with cruelty, great oppression; being ferocious with them. The word fierce is supposed by some to be derived from the Hebrew, as well as the Latin ferox, from which we more immediately bring our English term. This kind of cruelty to slaves, and ferociousness, unfeelingness, and hard-heartedness, were particularly forbidden to the children of Israel. See Leviticus 25:43, Leviticus 25:46, where the same word is used: Thou shalt not rule over him with RIGOUR, but shalt fear thy God.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 1:13
8–14. The first measure taken to check the increase of the Israelites: they are set to do forced labour on public works in Egypt.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 1:13
13, 14. The nature of their toil is here more fully described. Hard bondage — Rather, hard labour in clay and bricks, and all (kind of) service in the field.
Sermons on Exodus 1:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Exodus) Exodus 1:9-16 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt as described in the book of Exodus. The speaker highlights the accuracy of the biblical acco |
|
Our Daily Homily - Deuteronomy by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes God's unwavering support and guidance throughout life's journey, as illustrated in Deuteronomy. He highlights that God carries His people with love and compas |