Exodus 1:13

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 Rigor, but shalt fear thy God.