Exodus 1:11 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:8-22

The policy of Pharaoh. I. THE PRINCIPLE OF THE POLICY . This is indicated in Exodus 1:9 , Exodus 1:10 . It was a policy of selfish fear, proceeding upon an unconcealed regard for the supremacy of Egypt. Whatever interfered with that supremacy was to be, if possible, swept completely out of the way. Pharaoh was dealing, not with the necessities of the present, but with the possibilities of the future. He made no pretence that Israel deserved to be dealt with in this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:10-12

The wisdom of the wise brought to nought. God is wont to "destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent" ( 1 Corinthians 1:19 ). He "makes the devices of the people of none effect" ( Psalms 33:10 ). Humanly speaking, the Pharaoh had done "wisely," had counselled well: many a people has been crushed utterly under the yoke of an oppressor, ground down by hard labour—even after a time well-nigh exterminated. It was a clever and crafty plan to avoid... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:11

They did set over them taskmasters . Literally, "lords of tribute," or "lords of service." The term used, sarey massim, is the Egyptian official title for over-lookers of forced labour. It occurs in this sense on the monument representing brick-making, which has been supposed by some to be a picture of the Hebrews at work. To afflict them with their burdens . Among the tasks set the labourers in the representation above alluded to are the carrying of huge lumps of clay and of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:11-14

The bondage. I. HOW EFFECTED ? Doubtless, partly by craft, and partly by force. To one in Pharaoh's position, where there was the will to enslave, there would soon be found the way. 1 . The Israelites were politically weak. "The patriarchal family had grown into a horde; it must have lost its domestic character, yet it had no polity a people in this state was ripe for slavery" (Maurice). 2 . And Pharaoh had no scruples. Those engaged in tillage and keeping of cattle could... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 1:11

Taskmasters - The Egyptian “Chiefs of tributes.” They were men of rank, superintendents of the public works, such as are often represented on Egyptian monuments, and carefully distinguished from the subordinate overseers. The Israelites were employed in forced labor, probably in detachments, but they were not reduced to slavery, properly speaking, nor treated as captives of war. Amosis had special need of such laborers, as proved by the inscriptions.Treasure cities - “Magazines,” depots of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 1:10-11

Exodus 1:10-11. Come on, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply When men deal wickedly, it is common for them to imagine that they deal wisely, but the folly of sin will at last be manifested before all men. They set over them task-masters, to afflict them With this very design. They not only made them serve, which was sufficient for Pharaoh’s profit, but they made them serve with rigour, so that their lives became bitter to them; intending hereby to break their spirits,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 1:1-22

1:1-4:31 PREPARATION OF MOSESEgypt’s oppression of Israel (1:1-22)The small community of Israelites who first settled in Egypt were all members of one family, the family of Jacob, and their early days were ones of happiness and prosperity (Genesis 46:1-7; Genesis 47:11-12). God had promised they would grow into a nation, and over the following centuries they increased in numbers and influence till they dominated the whole of the north-east corner of Egypt (1:1-7; cf. Genesis 13:16; Genesis... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Exodus 1:11

taskmasters . Hebrew. sarei missim is Egyptian for chiefs of tribute, allotters and exactors of labour. treasure cities = store cities. All now known and named. Pithom is the Egyptian Pa-Tum, the abode of the god Tuna = the Greek Heroopolis = city of the store-houses. Raamses. Said to be so called because built by Ramases II, but not certain. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 1:8-14

"Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they also join themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us, and 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... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Exodus 1:11

Exodus 1:11. Task-masters— The original words signify, properly, tax-gatherers: so that the result of this counsel was, to exact a tribute to lessen their wealth, and to lay heavy burdens on them to weaken their bodies, and thereby prevent their populating and increasing. Philo tells us, that they were made to carry burdens above their strength, and to work night and day; that they were forced to be workers and servers; that they were employed in brick-making, digging, and building; and that if... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:8-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:10-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:11-14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 1:11

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 1:10-11

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 1:1-22

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Exodus 1:11

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 1:8-14

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Exodus 1:11

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