Exodus 1:11 kjv

Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.

Exodus 1:11 nkjv

Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses.

Exodus 1:11 niv

So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.

Exodus 1:11 esv

Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses.

Exodus 1:11 nlt

So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king.

Exodus 1 verses

Exodus 1 11 Meaning

Exodus 1:11 describes the strategic and severe measures Pharaoh employed to oppress the rapidly growing Israelite population in Egypt. To suppress their increase and neutralize their potential military threat, the Egyptians subjected them to brutal forced labor under taskmasters, compelling them to build supply cities for Pharaoh. This act marked the beginning of Israel's sustained and intense suffering under Egyptian bondage.

Exodus 1 11 Context

Exodus 1:11 directly follows Pharaoh's consultation with his people on how to "deal shrewdly" with the multiplying Israelites, fearing their growing strength could pose a threat or lead them to join Egypt's enemies. The verse describes the first active measure of this "shrewd" dealing: the implementation of oppressive forced labor. Within chapter 1, this verse introduces the method of oppression that initially seeks to curb the Israelites' population growth through attrition, preceding the more drastic measure of killing male infants. Historically, forced labor was common in ancient Near Eastern empires for large public works. For the original audience, understanding this context would underscore the divine magnitude of Israel's eventual deliverance, as they were not just visitors but enslaved builders for a powerful, idolatrous nation. The forced labor, and especially the construction of cities like Raamses, cemented their identity as slaves, contrasting starkly with God's covenant promise of land and freedom.

Exodus 1 11 Word analysis

• Therefore (וַיָּשִׂימוּ, vayiśimu): "And they put/placed/appointed." This connective term indicates a direct consequence of Pharaoh's preceding fear and counsel (Exod 1:9-10). It signifies a deliberate and implemented policy.
• set taskmasters (שָׂרֵי מִסִּים, sarê missim):
  • שָׂרֵי (sarê): Plural of sar, meaning "prince," "chief," "official," or "overseer." Denotes a position of authority.
  • מִסִּים (missim): Plural of mas, referring to forced labor, levy, tribute, or corvée. This describes mandatory, uncompensated service, often for state projects. The phrase together indicates officials specifically appointed over forced labor, making the oppression systemic.
• over them (עָלָיו, alav): Singular form, typically referring to a collective body like "the people" (Am Yisrael), emphasizing a unified group being subjected to this authority.
• to afflict them (לְמַעַן עַנֹּתוֹ, lema'an annoto):
  • לְמַעַן (lema'an): A causal conjunction, meaning "in order that," "for the purpose of." It highlights Pharaoh's explicit cruel intent.
  • עַנֹּתוֹ (annoto): From the verb `anah (עָנָה), meaning "to oppress," "to afflict," "to humble," "to bring low." It implies severe, harsh, and prolonged suffering, intended to break spirit and strength.
• with heavy burdens (בְּסִבְלֹתָם, besivlotam):
  • בְּ (be): "With" or "by means of."
  • סִבְלֹתָם (sivlotam): Plural of savel, meaning "burden," "hard labor," or "onerous work." This refers to the physical and exhausting aspect of their forced servitude, often involving carrying heavy loads like bricks and mortar.
• And they built (וַיִּבְנוּ, vayyivnu): "And they constructed." This verb implies that the Israelites themselves, under compulsion, performed the physical act of building.
• for Pharaoh (לְפַרְעֹה, lepar'oh): Clearly designates the ultimate beneficiary and master of this labor. Pharaoh's agenda, status as a deity in his own eyes, and imperial ambition are underscored.
• storage cities (עָרֵי מִסְכְּנוֹת, ʿarê miskᵉnôt):
  • עָרֵי (ʿarê): Plural of ʿir, "city."
  • מִסְכְּנוֹת (miskᵉnôt): Plural of misken, "storehouse," "treasure-house," or "depot." These were fortified urban centers used for stockpiling provisions (grain, chariots, weapons) for military campaigns or for times of famine, crucial for Egyptian logistical control.
• Pithom and Raamses:
  • Pithom (פִּתֹם, Pithom): Believed to be either Tel el-Maskhutah or Tell el-Ratabah in the eastern Nile Delta.
  • Raamses (רַעַמְסֵס, Raameses): Most likely Pi-Ramesses, a new capital city built by Ramses II, also in the eastern Nile Delta, perhaps identified with ancient Avaris. These specific names anchor the narrative in a historically plausible setting within Egypt, underscoring the reality and scope of the Israelites' enslavement and direct contribution to Egyptian imperial infrastructure. The very name "Raamses" implicitly contrasts Pharaoh's attempt to build his legacy with God's ultimate plan for Israel's deliverance and the building of His own dwelling among them.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them": This phrase details the initial, administrative strategy of oppression. It highlights the calculated nature of Pharaoh's actions, creating a system of institutionalized abuse specifically designed to subjugate the Israelites and suppress their growth. The direct and intentional "affliction" signifies a policy of cruelty aimed at breaking their spirit.
• "with heavy burdens. And they built for Pharaoh": This reveals the means and purpose of the affliction. The "heavy burdens" refer to the physically debilitating forced labor, emphasizing the profound physical hardship endured. The construction "for Pharaoh" underscores their enslaved status, their toil directly serving the interests of their oppressor rather than their own or God's. It's a symbolic reversal of their purpose as God's chosen people.
• "storage cities, Pithom and Raamses": These details pinpoint the exact type and location of the labor. The building of "storage cities" for logistical and military purposes showcases the practical value the Israelites' labor held for Egypt's strategic power. The naming of specific cities grounds the narrative in historical and geographical reality, serving as a powerful reminder to the original readers of the exact places where their ancestors endured this intense servitude, contributing to the very empire that held them captive.

Exodus 1 11 Bonus section

• The irony in this verse lies in Pharaoh's intent versus God's outcome: The oppression intended to diminish Israel ultimately led to their greater multiplication, fulfilling God's promise of fruitfulness despite human cruelty (Exod 1:12).
• The term "storage cities" (עָרֵי מִסְכְּנוֹת, ʿarê miskᵉnôt) in the Bible is also used for store-cities in Solomon's kingdom (e.g., 1 Kgs 9:19), showing common ancient Near Eastern practice but starkly different contexts (forced labor for an oppressor versus building up one's own nation).
• Scholarly debates on the precise locations of Pithom and Raamses and their association with the specific pharaohs like Ramses II have historically influenced theories on the Exodus chronology, though the theological message of oppression and deliverance remains paramount regardless of the exact historical pinpointing.

Exodus 1 11 Commentary

Exodus 1:11 provides the grim initiation of Israel's national affliction, detailing Pharaoh's first overt action to counter the rapid multiplication of the Israelites. This was not random mistreatment but a calculated policy: taskmasters were installed to ensure systematic, heavy labor with the deliberate purpose to "afflict" them. The goal was to exploit their strength while simultaneously crushing their spirit and, hopefully, reducing their numbers. The fact that the Israelites built "storage cities" – essential military and administrative hubs – highlights the paradox of their situation: God's people, promised a land, were building the very infrastructure of the empire holding them captive. This verse vividly portrays the desperation of the oppressed under a merciless ruler, setting the stage for God's dramatic intervention. The depth of their suffering underscored the magnitude of the deliverance God would later bring, revealing His power not just to rescue, but to use the very schemes of their oppressors to display His glory. For instance, the burden of building these cities meant constant labor without respite, a grinding servitude meant to extinguish hope.