Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "taskmasters" refers to those who were appointed to oversee and enforce labor, often in a harsh and oppressive manner. The term is most prominently associated with the Israelites' period of enslavement in Egypt, as described in the Book of Exodus.
Biblical References:1.
Exodus 1:11 · "So they appointed taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh."
This verse introduces the role of taskmasters in the narrative of the Israelites' bondage in Egypt. The taskmasters were appointed by Pharaoh to impose harsh labor on the Israelites, compelling them to build cities and perform other strenuous tasks. This oppression was part of Pharaoh's strategy to control and diminish the growing population of the Israelites.
2.
Exodus 5:6-9 · "That 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." Make the work harder for the men so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies.'"
Here, the taskmasters are depicted as enforcers of Pharaoh's cruel edicts. Pharaoh's command to increase the Israelites' workload without providing necessary materials exemplifies the harshness and injustice of the taskmasters' role. This passage highlights the severity of the Israelites' suffering and the oppressive nature of their bondage.
3.
Exodus 5:14 · "Then the Israelite foremen, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over the people, were beaten and asked, 'Why have you not met your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?'"
This verse illustrates the brutal enforcement methods used by the taskmasters. The Israelite foremen, who were intermediaries between the taskmasters and the laborers, faced physical punishment when the laborers failed to meet the imposed quotas. This further underscores the harsh conditions under which the Israelites labored.
Role and Significance:Taskmasters in the biblical narrative symbolize the oppressive forces that sought to subjugate and dehumanize the people of God. Their role in the account of the Exodus serves as a backdrop for the demonstration of God's power and deliverance. The harsh treatment by the taskmasters set the stage for the Israelites' cry for help and God's subsequent intervention through Moses.
Theologically, the taskmasters can be seen as representatives of the broader theme of bondage and liberation found throughout Scripture. Their presence in the narrative highlights the contrast between human oppression and divine salvation. The deliverance from the taskmasters' cruelty is a foreshadowing of the ultimate deliverance from sin and death through Jesus Christ.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Egypt, taskmasters were likely officials or overseers responsible for managing labor forces, particularly in large construction projects. The use of forced labor was common in the ancient Near East, and the taskmasters' role was to ensure productivity and compliance with the ruling authority's demands.
The biblical account of taskmasters provides insight into the social and political dynamics of the time, illustrating the power structures that existed and the ways in which they were challenged by divine intervention. The account of the taskmasters and the Israelites serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice and mercy in the face of human oppression.
Strong's Hebrew
5065. nagas -- to press, drive, oppress, exact... nagas. 5066 . to press, drive, oppress, exact. Transliteration: nagas Phonetic
Spelling: (naw-gas') Short Definition:
taskmasters. Word Origin a prim.
...8269. sar -- chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
... 9), officials (35), overseers (3), Prince (1), prince (9), prince of princes (1),
princes (109), quartermaster* (1), ruler (1), rulers (10),taskmasters* (1)....
4522. mas -- body of forced laborers, forced service, taskworkers...
... Word Usage forced (2), forced labor (13), forced laborer (1), forced laborers (5),
laborers* (2), men subject to forced labor (1),taskmasters* (1), tribute (1...
Library
Pharaoh the Stubborn Ruler
... The same day Pharaoh gave this command to thetaskmasters who were over the people:
"You shall no longer give the people straw for making bricks as before....
Moses
... they had no laws, nor patriotism, nor fellow-feeling of their own, became slaves,
and suffered for hundreds of years under crafty kings and crueltaskmasters....
Prosperity under Persecution
... Therefore they did set over themtaskmasters to afflict them with their burdens.
And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses....
The Debt of Israel
... under-drivers.". "It makes little odds with us"this change oftaskmasters,
Deborah"be he Agistas or any other Egyptian. They...
To the Saddest of the Sad
... Go, and preach to Pharaoh and thetaskmasters that rule us; but as for us poor
creatures, slaves that we are, we do not understand you....
Discipline
... Egypt which now hangs in the Royal Academy; in which the Hebrews, harnessed like
beasts of burden, writhing under the whips of theirtaskmasters, are dragging...
The Training of a Statesman.
... And Jehovah said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people that are in Egypt,
and have heard their cry of anguish, because of theirtaskmasters, for I...
Introductory Chapter
... Hebrews 4). 4. Israel was in bondage to Pharaoh and histaskmasters in Egypt,
and sinners are in bondage to the devil and sin. 5. By...
The Preaching of Nature.
... To the selfish man the world is a vast slave plantation, where unhappy slaves are
forced to toil and labour to supply the needs of crueltaskmasters....
The Exodus
... the vessels of mercy from the house of their bondage, and the deliverance of all
the lawful captives from the chains of their crueltaskmasters, by sovereign...
Thesaurus
Taskmasters (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Taskmasters (7 Occurrences). Exodus 1:11 Therefore they
set
taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens.
...Drivers (11 Occurrences)
... Exodus 3:7 Yahweh said, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are
in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of theirtaskmasters, for I know...
Officers (171 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Exodus 5:6 The same day Pharaoh commanded thetaskmasters of the
people, and their officers, saying, (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)....
Quota (5 Occurrences)
... NIV). Exodus 5:13 Thetaskmasters were urgent saying, "Fulfill your work
quota daily, as when there was straw!" (WEB NAS). Exodus...
Foremen (9 Occurrences)
... Exodus 5:10 Thetaskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they
spoke to the people, saying, "This is what Pharaoh says:'I will not give you...
Task (37 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Exodus 5:13 Thetaskmasters were urgent saying, "Fulfill your work quota
daily, as when there was straw!" (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)....
Straw (21 Occurrences)
... Exodus 5:10 Thetaskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they
spoke to the people, saying, "This is what Pharaoh says:'I will not give you...
Required (72 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 5:13 Thetaskmasters were urgent saying, "Fulfill
your work quota daily, as when there was straw!" (See NIV)....
Amount (66 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Exodus 5:13 Thetaskmasters were urgent saying, "Fulfill your work
quota daily, as when there was straw!" (See NAS). Exodus...
Masters (59 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 1:11 Therefore they settaskmasters over them to afflict them with
their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses....
Resources
Are the pyramids mentioned in the Bible? Did the enslaved Israelites build the pyramids? | GotQuestions.orgShould the Hebrew midwives be commended for lying? | GotQuestions.orgWhy was Pharaoh so resistant to Moses' pleas to “let my people go”? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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