Deuteronomy 26:6
Deuteronomy 26:6 in Multiple Translations
But the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor.
And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
And the Egyptians dealt ill with us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
And the Egyptians were cruel to us, crushing us under a hard yoke:
But the Egyptians treated us very badly, oppressing us and forcing us to do hard labor.
And the Egyptians vexed vs, and troubled vs, and laded vs with cruell bondage.
and the Egyptians do us evil, and afflict us, and put on us hard service;
The Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and imposed hard labor on us.
And the Egyptians ill-treated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
And the Egyptians afflicted us, and persecuted us, laying on us most grievous burdens:
Then the people of Egypt treated them very harshly [DOU], and they forced them to become their slaves and to work very hard.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 26:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 26:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּרֵ֧עוּ
אֹתָ֛/נוּ
הַ/מִּצְרִ֖ים
וַ/יְעַנּ֑וּ/נוּ
וַ/יִּתְּנ֥וּ
עָלֵ֖י/נוּ
עֲבֹדָ֥ה
קָשָֽׁה
וַ/יָּרֵ֧עוּ
râʻaʻ
H7489
be evil
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
אֹתָ֛/נוּ
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
הַ/מִּצְרִ֖ים
Mitsrîy
H4713
Egyptian
Art | Ngmpa
וַ/יְעַנּ֑וּ/נוּ
ʻânâh
H6031
be occupied
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff
וַ/יִּתְּנ֥וּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
עָלֵ֖י/נוּ
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
עֲבֹדָ֥ה
ʻăbôdâh
H5656
service
N-fs
קָשָֽׁה
qâsheh
H7186
severe
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 26:6
וַ/יָּרֵ֧עוּ
râʻaʻ
H7489
"be evil"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
This word means to shatter or break something into pieces, making it useless or bad. It can also mean to afflict or displease someone.
Definition: 1) to be bad, be evil 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to be displeasing 1a2) to be sad 1a3) to be injurious, be evil 1a4) to be wicked, be evil (ethically) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to do an injury or hurt 1b2) to do evil or wickedly 1b3) mischief (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 99 OT verses. KJV: afflict, associate selves (by mistake for H7462 (רָעָה)), break (down, in pieces), [phrase] displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat, man), show self friendly (by mistake for H7462 (רָעָה)), do harm, (do) hurt, (behave self, deal) ill, [idiom] indeed, do mischief, punish, still, vex, (do) wicked (doer, -ly), be (deal, do) worse. See also: Genesis 19:7; Psalms 27:2; Psalms 2:9.
אֹתָ֛/נוּ
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/מִּצְרִ֖ים
Mitsrîy
H4713
"Egyptian"
Art | Ngmpa
In the Bible, this word refers to an Egyptian, someone from the country of Egypt. It appears in the Old Testament, describing people from this northeastern African nation. Egyptians are mentioned in books like Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: Group of mits.ra.yim (מִצְרַ֫יִם "Egypt" H4714G) § Egyptian, of Egypt "double straits" Egyptian-an inhabitant or citizen of Egypt an Egyptian
Usage: Occurs in 67 OT verses. KJV: Egyptian, of Egypt. See also: Genesis 12:12; Exodus 8:17; Ezra 9:1.
וַ/יְעַנּ֑וּ/נוּ
ʻânâh
H6031
"be occupied"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff
To afflict or oppress someone, making them feel low or depressed. In the Bible, it can also mean to humble oneself, as seen in Psalm 35:13. It involves being put down or becoming weak.
Definition: (Qal) to be occupied, be busied with
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: abase self, afflict(-ion, self), answer (by mistake for H6030 (עָנָה)), chasten self, deal hardly with, defile, exercise, force, gentleness, humble (self), hurt, ravish, sing (by mistake for H6030 (עָנָה)), speak (by mistake for H6030 (עָנָה)), submit self, weaken, [idiom] in any wise. See also: Genesis 15:13; 2 Kings 17:20; Psalms 35:13.
וַ/יִּתְּנ֥וּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
עָלֵ֖י/נוּ
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
עֲבֹדָ֥ה
ʻăbôdâh
H5656
"service"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means service or work, including serving God or others. It appears in various forms in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe labor or ministry.
Definition: : service[as_servant/slave] 1) labour, service 1a) labour, work 1b) labour (of servant or slave) 1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects) 1d) service (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought. See also: Genesis 29:27; Numbers 18:6; Psalms 104:14.
קָשָֽׁה
qâsheh
H7186
"severe"
Adj
This word describes something or someone as severe or cruel, like the harsh treatment of the Israelites by their enemies in Judges.
Definition: 1) hard, cruel, severe, obstinate 1a) hard, difficult 1b) severe 1c) fierce, intense, vehement 1d) stubborn, stiff of neck, stiff-necked 1e) rigorous (of battle)
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: churlish, cruel, grievous, hard((-hearted), thing), heavy, [phrase] impudent, obstinate, prevailed, rough(-ly), sore, sorrowful, stiff(necked), stubborn, [phrase] in trouble. See also: Genesis 42:7; 2 Samuel 2:17; Psalms 60:5.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 26:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Offering Firstfruits and Tithes
4Then the priest shall take the basket from your hands and place it before the altar of the LORD your God,
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 Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor.
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. 8Then the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror, signs, and wonders.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 1:11 | So 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. |
| 2 | Exodus 1:14 | and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh. |
| 3 | Exodus 5:23 | Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and You have not delivered Your people in any way.” |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 4:20 | Yet the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of His inheritance, as you are today. |
| 5 | Exodus 1:22 | Then Pharaoh commanded all his people: “Every son born to the Hebrews you must throw into the Nile, but every daughter you may allow to live.” |
| 6 | Exodus 5:9 | Make the work harder on the men so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies.” |
| 7 | Exodus 1:16 | “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the birthstools. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.” |
| 8 | Exodus 5:19 | The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You must not reduce your daily quota of bricks.” |
Deuteronomy 26:6 Summary
[The Egyptians treated the Israelites very badly and made them work extremely hard, but this was all part of God's larger plan to rescue them and show His power and love. As we read in Deuteronomy 26:6, the Israelites were afflicted and mistreated, but God heard their cries and saw their suffering. This reminds us that even when we face hard times, God is with us and wants to deliver us, just as He did for the Israelites, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14. We can trust God's love and power, just like the Israelites did, and know that He will bring us through our difficulties, as promised in Psalm 34:17-18 and Romans 8:28.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Egyptians mistreat the Israelites?
The Bible does not give a specific reason in Deuteronomy 26:6, but in Exodus 1:9-10, we see that the Egyptians feared the Israelites because of their rapid growth and potential to join their enemies, so they made them slaves and treated them harshly.
What kind of hard labor did the Israelites face in Egypt?
The hard labor is described in Exodus 1:14 and 2:11 as forced work in building cities, harvesting crops, and other tasks, which was so severe that it became a bitter and cruel experience for the Israelites.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of the Israelites' deliverance?
This verse sets the stage for God's mighty deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, which is described in the following verses, Deuteronomy 26:7-8, and is a reminder of God's power and love for His people, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14 and Psalm 106:8-12.
What can we learn from the Israelites' experience of affliction and hard labor?
We can learn that even in the midst of suffering, God is with us and hears our cries, as seen in Psalm 34:17-18 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, and that He can use our difficulties to bring about His greater purposes and glory.
Reflection Questions
- How have I experienced affliction or hard labor in my own life, and how has God been with me in those times?
- What are some ways I can declare God's deliverance and love to others, just as the Israelites declared their story in Deuteronomy 26:5-10?
- How can I trust God's power and love for me, even when I face difficult circumstances, and what promises from Scripture can I hold onto?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to cry out to God for deliverance, and how can I trust Him to hear and answer my prayers?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 26:6
And the Egyptians evil entreated us,.... Ordered their male children to be killed by the midwives, and by another edict to be drowned by the people: and afflicted us; by setting taskmasters over
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 26:6
And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage: No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 26:6
XXVI. Deuteronomy 26:1-11. OF THE FIRST FRUITS.(1) When thou art come in.—Rashi says they were not bound to the discharge of this duty until they had conquered and divided the land. But the state of things described in the Book of Joshua (Joshua 21:43-45) would demand it. From the words of Deu 26:11, “thou shalt rejoice,” the Jews gather that the thanksgiving to be said over the firstfruits (in Deuteronomy 26:5-10) must be said at some time between the close of the feast of unleavened bread on the twenty-first day of the first month (the “solemn assembly” of Deuteronomy 16:8) and the Feast of Tabernacles. If firstfruits were presented between the Feast of Tabernacles and the Passover, this formula was not used (Rashi). (3) The priest that shall be in those days.—No mention is made of the Levite here. The priest (though of the tribe of Levi) has an office distinct from the Levite in the Book of Deuteronomy as much as in the rest of the Old Testament. I profess.—Literally, I declare. “To show that thou art not ungrateful for His goodness” (Rashi, from the Talmud). This day.—The formula was only used once in the year.
(4) The priest shall take the basket.—“To wave it. The priest put his hand under the hand of the owner, and waved it.” (5) A Syrian ready to perish.—The reference is to Jacob, more especially when pursued by Laban, who would have taken from him his all, except for the Divine mercy and protection. We may also recall his danger from Esau (Genesis 31, 32), from the Shechemites (34, 35), and from the famine, until he heard of Joseph. (7) When we cried unto the Lord.—Samuel in his famous speech (1 Samuel 12:8) takes up the language of this passage, “When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the Lord, then the Lord . . . brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place. (6-7) See Exodus 2:25; Exodus 3:9; Exodus 6:5-6 for the source of this confession. (10) And thou shalt set it before the Lord thy God—i.e., take it up again after it was first waved by the priest, and hold it in the hand while making this confession, and then wave it once more. After this it would become the priest’s.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 26:6
6. evil entreated us] JE, Numbers 20:15. afflicted us] J, Exodus 1:11. hard bondage] or service. P, Exodus 1:14; Exodus 6:9, 1 Kings 12:4, Isaiah 14:3.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 26:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Serpent on a Pole by Dr. A.E. Wilder-Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of teaching children about the word of God. He starts by explaining the story of the Israelites, who were slaves in Egypt for 4 |
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I Was a Slave in Russia - Part 2 by John Noble | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of being in a prisoner camp in the Soviet Union. He describes how prisoners from different backgrounds and professions were brough |
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Emblems From Their Bondage and Redemption by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson's sermon 'Emblems From Their Bondage and Redemption' explores the bitter bondage of the Israelites in Egypt as a metaphor for the enslavement of sin and Satan. He emph |
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Our Daily Homily - Deuteronomy by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes God's unwavering support and guidance throughout life's journey, as illustrated in Deuteronomy. He highlights that God carries His people with love and compas |
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(Exodus) Exodus 1:9-16 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt as described in the book of Exodus. The speaker highlights the accuracy of the biblical acco |
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God Is Dependent on Broken Men for His Work on Earth by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes that God relies on broken individuals to fulfill His purposes on Earth, using the life of Moses as a prime example. He illustrates how Moses' early life in Ph |