King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 26:6 Mean?

Deuteronomy 26:6 in the King James Version says “And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:”

Deuteronomy 26:6 · KJV

Context

4

And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the LORD thy God.

5

And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:

6

And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:

7

And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:

8

And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:

Read Deuteronomy 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage—the firstfruits liturgy shifts from present blessing to past suffering, reciting salvation history. The threefold Hebrew intensification—vayare'u (dealt harshly), vayannunu (afflicted), vayyitnu avodah qashah (imposed hard labor)—recalls Exodus 1:11-14's account of Egyptian oppression. This isn't generic hardship but specific historical persecution of God's covenant people.

The phrase avodah qashah (hard/harsh service) refers to the brutal forced labor of brick-making without straw (Exodus 5:6-19). The same root avad means both "serve/work" and "worship"—Israel's bondage to Pharaoh prevented their service to YHWH, making the exodus a liberation for worship. Significantly, this confession occurs during worship, transforming avodah from slavery into joyful service.

Including slavery's memory in a harvest celebration prevents historical amnesia. Israel must never forget they were slaves, lest they oppress others (Deuteronomy 15:15, 24:18, 22) or attribute prosperity to their own strength. The basket of firstfruits held by free hands once made bricks under the taskmaster's whip.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Egyptian oppression intensified under a pharaoh 'who knew not Joseph' (Exodus 1:8), likely Seti I or Ramesses II (13th century BCE). Israel's enslavement lasted over 400 years (Genesis 15:13), making the exodus generation's grandparents born into bondage. The hard labor built store cities Pithom and Rameses (Exodus 1:11), likely Pi-Ramesse in the Nile Delta. This historical memory shaped Israel's identity permanently—they were slaves redeemed by grace, not a naturally free people.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering your spiritual bondage before Christ's deliverance shape your gratitude and humility?
  2. In what ways should memory of oppression or hardship influence how you treat vulnerable people today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וַיָּרֵ֧עוּ1 of 8

“evil entreated”

H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

אֹתָ֛נוּ2 of 8
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

הַמִּצְרִ֖ים3 of 8

“And the Egyptians”

H4713

a mitsrite, or inhabitant of mitsrajim

וַיְעַנּ֑וּנוּ4 of 8

“us and afflicted”

H6031

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

וַיִּתְּנ֥וּ5 of 8

“us and laid”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

עָלֵ֖ינוּ6 of 8
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֲבֹדָ֥ה7 of 8

“bondage”

H5656

work of any kind

קָשָֽׁה׃8 of 8

“upon us hard”

H7186

severe (in various applications)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 26:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 26:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 1:11Exodus 1:14Exodus 5:23Exodus 1:22Exodus 1:16Deuteronomy 4:20

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 26 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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