Exo 1:13-14, 5:5-9, 18, 1Sa 8:18, Isa 47:6, 58:6, Jer 28:13-14 | TSK

Exodus 1:13-14

their lives.

2:23; 6:9; Ge 15:13; Nu 20:15; De 4:20; 26:6; Ru 1:20; Ac 7:19,34

in mortar.

Ps 68:13; 81:6; Na 3:14

was with rigour.

13; 5:7-21; 20:2; Le 25:43,46,53; Isa 14:6; 51:23; 52:5; 58:6

Jer 50:33,34; Mic 3:3

Exodus 5:5-9

1:7-11; Pr 14:28

taskmasters.{Nogesim,} literally, exactors, oppressors. These taskmasters were Egyptians, (ch. 1:11,) but the officers were Hebrews. See ver. 14.

10,13,15,19; 1:11; Pr 12:10

officers.{Shoterim,} from the Arabic {saytara,} to overlook, superintend, seems to denote, as {musaytar} in Arabic also does, overseers, superintendents. They may have been somewhat like the chiefs of trades, who are found in every city in the East; where every trade has a head, who is entrusted with authority over them, and is in some measure answerable for them to Government. Compare ch. 2:14.

Nu 11:16; De 1:15; 16:18; Jos 8:33; 24:1,4; 2Ch 26:11

straw.The straw was mixed with clay, in order to make the bricks. This is expressly affirmed by Philo, (vit. Mos.) who was himself a native of Alexandria, in Egypt. He says, describing the oppression of the Israelites, that some were obliged to work in clay, and others to gather straw for the formation of bricks, [plinthou gar achyra desmos,] because straw is the binding of the brick. Philo's account is confirmed by Dr. Shaw, who says that "some of the Egyptian pyramids are made of brick, the composition whereof is only a mixture of clay, mud, and straw, slightly blended and kneaded together, and afterwards baked in the sun. The straw, which keeps the bricks together, and still preserves its original colour, seems to be a proof that these bricks were never burnt or made in kilns." The same materials are now used for building in Egypt. Mr. Baumgarten says, "The houses are for the most part of bricks that are only hardened by the heat of the sun, and mixed with straw to make them firm."

Ge 24:25; Jud 19:19

tale.Tale denotes number, from the Anglo-Saxon {tællan,} to number, count, etc.

ye shall lay.

Ps 106:41

Let there more work be laid upon the men. Heb. Let the workbe heavy upon the men. vain words.

2Ki 18:20; Job 16:3; Jer 43:2; Zec 1:6; Mal 3:14; Eph 5:6

Exodus 5:18

yet shall ye deliver.

Eze 18:18; Da 2:9-13

1 Samuel 8:18

cry out.

Isa 8:21

and the Lord."Hitherto," says Puffendorf, "the people of Israel had lived under governors raised up by God, who had exacted no tribute of them, nor put them to any charge; but little content with this form of government, they desire to have a king like other nations, who should live in magnificence and pomp, keep armies, and be able to resist any invasion. Samuel informs them what it was they desired; that, when they understood it, they might consider whether they would persist in their choice. If they would have a king splendidly attended, he tells them that he would take their sons for his chariots, etc.: if they would have him keep up constant forces, then he would appoint them for colonels and captains, and employ those in his wars who were accustomed to follow their family business; and since, after the manner of other kings, he must keep a stately court, they must be content that their daughters should serve in several offices, which the king would think below the dignity of his wives and daughters. (ver. 13.) In one word, that, to sustain his dignity, their king would exact the tenth of all they possessed, and be maintained in a royal manner out of their estates."

will not hear.

Job 27:9; Ps 18:41; Pr 1:25-28; 21:13; Isa 1:15; Mic 3:4; Lu 13:25