New International VersionBut the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, subjecting us to harsh labor.
New Living TranslationWhen the Egyptians oppressed and humiliated us by making us their slaves,
English Standard VersionAnd the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor.
Berean Standard BibleBut the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor.
King James BibleAnd the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
New King James VersionBut the Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and laid hard bondage on us.
New American Standard BibleAnd the Egyptians treated us badly and oppressed us, and imposed hard labor on us.
NASB 1995‘And the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, and imposed hard labor on us.
NASB 1977‘And the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, and imposed hard labor on us.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us and imposed hard slave labor on us.
Amplified BibleAnd the Egyptians treated us badly and oppressed us, and imposed hard labor on us.
Christian Standard BibleBut the Egyptians mistreated and oppressed us, and forced us to do hard labor.
Holman Christian Standard BibleBut the Egyptians mistreated and afflicted us, and forced us to do hard labor.
American Standard VersionAnd the Egyptians dealt ill with us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
Contemporary English VersionThe Egyptians were cruel and had no pity on us. They mistreated our people and forced us into slavery.
English Revised Versionand the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationSo the Egyptians treated us cruelly, oppressed us, and made us do back-breaking work for them.
Good News TranslationThe Egyptians treated us harshly and forced us to work as slaves.
International Standard VersionBut the Egyptians oppressed us, afflicted us, and assigned us to hard labor.
NET BibleBut the Egyptians mistreated and oppressed us, forcing us to do burdensome labor.
New Heart English BibleThe Egyptians mistreated us, and afflicted us, and laid on us hard bondage:
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd the Egyptians ill-treated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor.
World English BibleThe Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and imposed hard labor on us. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the Egyptians do us evil, and afflict us, and put hard service on us;
Young's Literal Translation and the Egyptians do us evil, and afflict us, and put on us hard service;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the Egyptians did us evil, and humbled us, and they will distribute to us hard service. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Egyptians afflicted us, and persecuted us, laying on us most grievous burdens :
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd the Egyptians afflicted us, and they persecuted us, imposing upon us the most grievous burdens.
New American BibleWhen the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing harsh servitude upon us,
New Revised Standard VersionWhen the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us and laid upon us hard work;
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd the Egyptians did evil to us and they humiliated us and they placed hard service upon us: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the Egyptians dealt ill with us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the Egyptians afflicted us, and humbled us, and imposed hard tasks on us:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Offering Firstfruits and Tithes… 5and you are to declare before the LORD your God, “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt few in number and lived there and became a great nation, mighty and numerous. 6But the Egyptiansmistreated usand afflicted us,putting usto hardlabor.7So we called out to the LORD, the God of our fathers; and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, toil, and oppression.…
Cross References Exodus 1:11-14So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. / But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. / They worked the Israelites ruthlessly ...
Exodus 1:8-10Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. / “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”
Exodus 2:23-25After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned and cried out under their burden of slavery, and their cry for deliverance from bondage ascended to God. / So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. / God saw the Israelites and took notice.
Exodus 3:7-9The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. / I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. / And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them.
Exodus 5:6-9That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen: / “You shall no longer supply the people with straw for making bricks. They must go and gather their own straw. / But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ ...
Exodus 6:5-6Furthermore, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered My covenant. / Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.
Exodus 12:40-41Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years. / At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt.
Acts 7:17-19As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased greatly in number. / Then another king, who knew nothing of Joseph, arose over Egypt. / He exploited our people and oppressed our fathers, forcing them to abandon their infants so they would die.
Acts 7:34I have indeed seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’
Nehemiah 9:9-10You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt; You heard their cry at the Red Sea. / You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day.
Psalm 81:6-7“I relieved his shoulder of the burden; his hands were freed from the basket. / You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
Psalm 105:23-25Then Israel entered Egypt; Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham. / And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes, / whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants.
Psalm 106:42-43Their enemies oppressed them and subdued them under their hand. / Many times He rescued them, but they were bent on rebellion and sank down in their iniquity.
Jeremiah 34:13-14“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I made a covenant with your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, saying: / Every seventh year, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear.
Ezekiel 20:5-9and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt. With an uplifted hand I said to them, ‘I am the LORD your God.’ / On that day I swore to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands. / And I said to them: ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and you must not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’ ...
Treasury of Scripture And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid on us hard bondage: Deuteronomy 4:20 But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace,even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, asye are this day. Exodus 1:11,14,16,22 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses… Exodus 5:9,19,23 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words… Jump to Previous AfflictAfflictedBondageCruelCrushingDealtEgyptiansEntreatedEvilHardHarshlyIllIll-TreatedImposedLaidMistreatedPuttingServiceSufferTreatedYokeJump to Next AfflictAfflictedBondageCruelCrushingDealtEgyptiansEntreatedEvilHardHarshlyIllIll-TreatedImposedLaidMistreatedPuttingServiceSufferTreatedYokeDeuteronomy 26 1.The confession of him who offers the basket of firstfruits12.The prayer of him who gives his third year's tithes16.The covenant between God and his peopleBut the Egyptians mistreated usThis phrase recalls the historical context of the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt, as described in the book of Exodus. The mistreatment included harsh conditions and oppressive measures imposed by the Egyptians, who feared the growing number of Israelites ( Exodus 1:8-14). This period of suffering is a pivotal moment in Israel's history, highlighting their need for deliverance and God's intervention. The mistreatment serves as a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. and afflicted us
The affliction refers to the severe oppression and suffering endured by the Israelites under Egyptian rule. This included forced labor, physical abuse, and the decree to kill Hebrew male infants (Exodus 1:15-22). The affliction is symbolic of the spiritual bondage humanity faces due to sin, drawing a parallel to the need for a savior. This suffering foreshadows the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who delivers believers from the bondage of sin and death (Romans 6:6-7). putting us to hard labor
The hard labor imposed on the Israelites involved building projects such as the storage cities of Pithom and Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Archaeological evidence supports the existence of these cities, providing historical credibility to the biblical narrative. The labor was not only physically demanding but also intended to break the spirit of the Israelites. This phrase underscores the theme of liberation and rest found in Christ, who offers spiritual rest to those who are weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28-30). The hard labor also serves as a type of the spiritual toil under the law, from which Christ redeems believers, offering freedom and grace (Galatians 3:13). Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were enslaved in Egypt and later delivered by God. 2. The EgyptiansThe people of Egypt who enslaved the Israelites and subjected them to harsh treatment and forced labor. 3. MosesThe leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and guide them to the Promised Land. 4. EgyptThe land where the Israelites were enslaved, representing a place of oppression and suffering. 5. The ExodusThe event of God delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, a foundational moment in Israel's history. Teaching Points Understanding OppressionRecognize the reality of oppression in the world and the importance of seeking justice and deliverance for those who are mistreated. God's FaithfulnessTrust in God's faithfulness to deliver His people from bondage, both physically and spiritually. The Importance of RemembranceRemembering past struggles and God's deliverance helps to strengthen faith and reliance on Him in current challenges. Empathy and CompassionDevelop empathy for those who are suffering and be moved to action, reflecting God's heart for the oppressed. Spiritual DeliveranceReflect on the spiritual deliverance from sin that God offers through Jesus Christ, paralleling the physical deliverance of the Israelites. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 26:6?
2.How does Deuteronomy 26:6 illustrate God's deliverance from oppression and suffering?
3.What lessons about faithfulness can we learn from the Israelites' experience in Egypt?
4.How can we apply the Israelites' perseverance in Deuteronomy 26:6 to our lives?
5.In what ways does Deuteronomy 26:6 connect to God's promises in Exodus?
6.How should Deuteronomy 26:6 inspire us to trust God during difficult times?
7.How does Deuteronomy 26:6 reflect the historical context of Israelite slavery in Egypt?
8.What theological significance does Deuteronomy 26:6 hold in understanding God's deliverance?
9.How does Deuteronomy 26:6 challenge modern views on suffering and oppression?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 26?
11.How does Psalm 129:1–2 align with historical records of Israel’s early afflictions, and is there evidence outside the Bible to confirm such repeated oppression?
12.What evidence supports the historical occurrence of the Exodus?
13.Amos 3:1: Does the lack of direct archaeological evidence for a mass exodus undermine the claim that God led Israel out of Egypt?
14.How does the forced labor mentioned in 2 Chronicles 8:7-8 reconcile with biblical portrayals of Solomon's wisdom and godly leadership?What Does Deuteronomy 26:6 Mean But the Egyptians- The opening contrast, “But,” reminds Israel that their story did not stay in the comfort of Joseph’s favor (Genesis 50:20) but turned sharply when “a new king who did not know Joseph” arose (Exodus 1:8). - Egypt, once a place of refuge, became the oppressor, fulfilling God’s earlier warning to Abram that his offspring would be “strangers in a land that is not theirs and will be enslaved and mistreated” (Genesis 15:13). - The verse roots the confession ofDeuteronomy 26 in real history, underscoring God’s faithfulness to act within time and space (Deuteronomy 4:34;Acts 7:17-19).
Mistreated us- “Mistreated” captures the intentional cruelty of Pharaoh’s policies (Exodus 1:11-12). • Taskmasters were set “to oppress them with forced labor” (Exodus 1:11). • The oppression was systematic, inflaming Egyptian hatred (Psalm 105:25). - By recalling this mistreatment, Israel affirms that God is not indifferent to injustice; He both sees and remembers (Exodus 2:23-25).
And afflicted us- Affliction reaches deeper than external hardship; it brands the heart with anguish (Exodus 3:7: “I have seen the affliction of My people”). - Repetition in Scripture ties affliction to God’s deliverance timetable (Deuteronomy 26:7;Judges 10:12). - The word choice highlights that suffering was neither random nor unnoticed. God allowed it to showcase His power in redemption (Exodus 6:6;Psalm 94:5-10).
Putting us to hard labor- Forced labor was Pharaoh’s strategic tool to break Israel’s spirit (Exodus 1:13-14). • Brick quotas increased (Exodus 5:6-19). • Straw was withheld, symbolizing impossible demands under a tyrant’s rule. - The acknowledgment of “hard labor” in this confession links Israel’s past slavery to the present call to serve the LORD with willing hearts (Deuteronomy 6:12-13;Romans 6:17-18). - Remembering bondage fuels gratitude for freedom; the annual firstfruits offering (context ofDeuteronomy 26) becomes a living testimony that God turns oppression into blessing.
summaryDeuteronomy 26:6 is Israel’s concise, four-fold reminder that Egypt’s cruelty (“mistreated,” “afflicted,” “hard labor”) was real, severe, and purposeful in God’s plan. By rehearsing the darkness, the nation magnifies the light of God’s deliverance, ensuring future generations know that the LORD who rescued from Pharaoh still rescues today. Verse 6. - The Egyptians evil entreated us (cf. Exodus 1:11-22; Exodus 2:23, etc.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew But the Egyptiansהַמִּצְרִ֖ים(ham·miṣ·rîm)Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 4713:Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egyptmistreated usוַיָּרֵ֧עוּ(way·yā·rê·‘ū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7489:To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, badand afflicted us,וַיְעַנּ֑וּנוּ(way·‘an·nū·nū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common plural
Strong's 6031:To be bowed down or afflictedputting usוַיִּתְּנ֥וּ(way·yit·tə·nū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setto hardקָשָֽׁה׃(qā·šāh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7186:Hard, severelabor.עֲבֹדָ֥ה(‘ă·ḇō·ḏāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5656:Work of any kind
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OT Law: Deuteronomy 26:6 The Egyptians dealt ill with us (Deut. De Du) |
