Deuteronomy 26:6
And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
Deuteronomy 26:6 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the book of Exodus in the Bible, the Israelites recount the harsh treatment they endured while living in Egypt. The Egyptians subjected the Israelites to various forms of oppression, cruelty, and hardship. They were treated with extreme unkindness and their lives were made difficult through forced labor and harsh conditions. This verse highlights the suffering and mistreatment that the Israelites experienced at the hands of the Egyptians. It serves as a reminder of the challenges they faced as a people and the resilience they showed in persevering through adversity. Through this verse, readers can gain insight into the difficult circumstances that shaped the Israelites' history and understand the importance of remembering and learning from their past experiences.
Theological Overview
When examining the theological interpretation of the verse "And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage," it is important to acknowledge the significance of these actions in the context of the Israelites' history. This verse from the book of Deuteronomy highlights the suffering that the Israelites endured at the hands of the Egyptians during their time of enslavement. The word "evil entreated" emphasizes the cruel and oppressive treatment inflicted upon the Israelites by the Egyptians. The word "afflicted" conveys the hardship and suffering experienced by the Israelites under the harsh conditions of bondage. The phrase "hard bondage" captures the severity and brutality of their enslavement. This verse serves as a poignant reminder of the Israelites' suffering and oppression, ultimately leading to their deliverance by God and their exodus from Egypt. It underscores the themes of oppression, deliverance, and God's faithfulness throughout the history of the Israelite people.
Deuteronomy 26:6 in other translations
American Standard Version
And the Egyptians dealt ill with us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
World English Bible
The Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and imposed hard labor on us.
Douay-Rheims
And the Egyptians afflicted us, and persecuted us, laying on us most grievous burdens:
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the Egyptians vexed vs, and troubled vs, and laded vs with cruell bondage.