King James Version
Exodus 1:11 in the King James Version says “Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cit...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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 · KJV
And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:
Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. But: Heb. And as they afflicted them, so they multiplied, etc
And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:
KJV Study — Public Domain
“Therefore they did set”
H7760to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“over them taskmasters”
H4522properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e., a tax in the form of forced labor
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
“to afflict”
H6031to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
“cities”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Exodus 1:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Exodus 1:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge